You Are God's Temple: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Honor God With Balance in Your Life: Alcohol Do you drink? Do your friends? Did your parents? Have you had good or bad experiences with alcohol in your life? God created fermentation and distillation for people’s benefit. The Lord Jesus not only attended a wedding where wine was being served; he created another 120 gallons when they ran out. He used wine for no less noble a purpose than one of the two earthly elements in Holy Communion. But like all of God’s gifts, alcohol can be and is often abused. People in the ancient world (such as Noah) figured out how to get drunk not long after they discovered basic fermentation. God hates drunkenness: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: . . . drunkenness. . . . I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). Alcohol abuse can destroy families, jobs, and physical bodies. It can destroy your soul too. God chooses to treat you as a spiritual adult. He gives you a great deal of freedom in your choices. But you are not free to hurt your temple or hurt other people. Choose wisely.