Sharing our “liberties” on the internet, and when alcohol becomes sin

The reason I decided to make this blog post is this. Today I watched a video of a professing Christian telling anyone that does not agree with his public display of alcoholic consumption to more or less pound sand. That’s the inconsiderate selfish arrogance that we must push back on.

I say this with love and concern for those that profess to be Christian. The Scriptures are clear that some of us may have liberties that others do not share. And some of us have convictions (or a matter of conscience) that others do not share. And so, we must be considerate of both sides. 

Nonetheless, the Scriptures are also very clear when something clearly is sin. And that we must walk circumspectly, and refrain from intentionally doing things publicly that could cause a brother or sister to be offended, or stumble. 

Back to the title, sharing our liberties on the internet, and when alcohol becomes sin.

We are to be careful how we broadcast enjoying our “liberties” to an anonymous public internet audience. I enjoy a liberty that some do not, and I realize that some brethren would be offended by the liberty. But I only share that liberty with like-minded believers, and there are private Facebook groups or unlisted YouTube channels where they can do just that. 

Regarding alcohol. 

Though alcohol is not always sin for everyone, it can become sin. And so, we should be considerate of others, by not posting things promoting (or tempting) the consumption of alcoholic beverages. 

The words drunk or drunkard in the Scriptures have many different meanings and applications. In other words, at times our modern English does an injustice to the Lord’s Word. 

For example, including but not limited to, here are some of those words not clearly understood in plain English, along with their Greek word. 

1. drunkenness – μέθη or methé
2. drunkenness (or debauchery) – οἰνοφλυγία or oinophlugia
3. to be drunken – μεθύω or methuó
4. drunken – κραιπάλη or kraipalé
5. drunken – μέθυσος or methusos 
6. given to wine – πάροινος – paroinos
7. to make drunk – μεθύσκω or methuskó.

Let’s zoom in on #7.

This word “drunk” is the Greek word methuskó, it is used three times in the Scriptures, Luke 12:45, Ephesians 5:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:7.

Since the subject matter of Ephesians 5 is speaking about walking in love (vs 1-7), walking in the light (vs 8-14), walking in wisdom (vs 15-21), and marriage & the church (vs 22-33); let us examine a portion of Ephesians 5. 

Paul said in Ephesians 5:15-21, 

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

In verse 18 Paul admonished them then, and us now, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

In verse 18 this command “do not get drunk” is the Greek word methuskó, it is an inceptive verb, which means, just the process of becoming drunk, is drunk according to the standard of God’s Holy Scriptures. Therefore, we have to be careful with loose and liberal interpretations of God’s Word.

Methuskō also means to intoxicate, to be drunk (or drunken), to make drunk, to get drunk, to become intoxicated, or to drink freely. This is what Paul warns us to not do.  

I am not a Greek scholar. But I believe that if we all understood each of those aforementioned words in Greek, and through a proper hermeneutical study and application, more people would change their minds (or repent) about boasting in, or flaunting their “liberties.”

Too many professing Christians today believe one has to become inebriated to be in sin, but that is not true. Aside from being methuskó (as defined above), alcohol can also become a sin if or when, 

• Drinking against the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
• Does alcohol cause others to stumble (remember what Jesus said about that millstone?)
• Does it bring an offense to the brethren? (remember what the Bible says about that).
• Does it cause you to commit sins (or crimes,) that you would not have, had you not been drinking?
• Does it harm your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit?
• Are you addicted (is it a habit)?
• Does it affect your mind like drugs?
• Is it harming your marriage?
• Is it harming your testimony?

If you cannot answer “no” to all these questions, then I would submit, that you do not have the liberty to consume alcoholic beverages, or you should evaluate the public sharing of your “liberties” on the internet. Or as another said,

• Is it necessary?
• Is it spiritually beneficial?
• Does it bring honor to Christ?

As Pastor Tim Conway said,

“Watch for the guys even in our own church. Who are the loudest and most vehement in defending these kinds of things? And you just look and tell me, are they the Godliest among us. Are they the ones that you want to pattern your life after? Are they the ones that set the standard? Are they the ones that when you see them, you feel convicted? Or are they the ones… (that compromise).”

Though we must never boast in anything or anyone but Christ, including our convictions. But a sign of a healthy mature Christian is they will not boast in their “liberties,” but rather they would communicate and demonstrate their convictions, and that is consistent with the walking in love, wisdom, and light that Paul warned us about.

Lastly, I strongly encourage every Christian to frequently study, know, apply, and demonstrate all of Ephesians 5; it is a blueprint of how to love Biblically.

For those of you not saved, and desire to now about salvation and eternal life, read my Gospel tract here or below.

THE GOOD NEWS!

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