Faith and Sobriety: Can God's People Drink Alcohol?

Those who truly follow Christ will be temperate in all things, discarding intoxicating liquors to preserve their physical and spiritual healthPH088 22.2. While God is always ready to provide divine power to help any sincere person overcome an appetite for liquor, the choice to continue in harmony with such a perverted appetite places one out of harmony with GodPCP 26.2+1.

The Path of True Conversion

True conversion involves a complete change of heart, thoughts, and purposes, which leads a person to give up evil habits like liquor drinking and tobacco use15LtMs, Ms 57, 1900, par. 7. We are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit rather than being drunk with wine Ephesians 5:18PTUK November 30, 1899, page 774.6.

• Spiritual Harmony: A person who is not in harmony with the principles of healthful living is out of harmony with God and must be converted to be savedGCB October 1, 1899, page 83.3.

• Character Development: Indulging in liquor benumbs the sensibilities, darkens spiritual life, and debases the faculties that link us with the spiritual worldMTC 39.3+1.

• The Remnant's Choice: God's remnant people will be careful to select pure and clean food and drink, recognizing that contaminated substances prevent water from being a "river of life" to themGCB October 1, 1899, page 83.3.

The Influence on Others and Society

One cannot be a true, obedient servant of Christ while being controlled by the slavery of appetite, as this indulgence makes the truth of no effect upon the heartTSDF 164.3.

• Responsibility: Christians cannot connect themselves with any business, such as the liquor traffic, that leads to the degradation of humanityPH132 1.2+1.

• Example for Youth: Parents have a solemn duty to teach children never to use a drop of intoxicating liquor, as an example of intemperance can lead children onto the path of ruinPCP 26.2+1.

• Impact on Character: The permanent effect of such dissipation is a character that loses both the desire and capacity for a life of usefulnessCOL 54.3.

Hope and Restoration

Though the habit of drinking can seem hopeless, a reform is possible through the power of the Savior21LtMs, Lt 268, 1906, par. 14+1. Jesus suffered in the wilderness to break the power of appetite over humanity, and He offers the "pure juice of the grape" as a safe and healthful alternative10MR 201.1+1.

• Divine Power: God stands ready to give strength to those who seek to overcome their passionsPCP 26.2.

• A Gracious Invitation: Even for those whose sins are as scarlet, the Lord offers a path to be made white as snow through obedience and willingness to change Isaiah 1:18-19PH141 8.1.

• Life and Healing: As we cooperate with God through obedience, His healing power works to help us grow spiritually and physicallyGCB October 1, 1899, page 83.3.

God calls us to wash and make ourselves clean, putting away evil doings from before His eyes Isaiah 1:16PH141 8.1. Let us pray for laborers to help rescue those struggling with these evils Matthew 9:3822LtMs, Ms 117, 1907, par. 17. This transformation is the Lord's doing and is marvelous in our eyes Psalms 118:2313LtMs, Lt 131, 1898, par. 9.