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The Believer and Alcohol
AUTHOR: Brown, David L.
PUBLISHED ON: March 18, 2003
DOC SOURCE: CCN
PUBLISHED IN: Christian Living

  THE BELIEVER AND ALCOHOL

  by Pastor David L. Brown

  FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

  10550 SOUTH HOWELL AVE. OAK CREEK, WI. 53154

  INTRODUCTION

  My heart skipped a beat as I was watching the news one
evening in late February of this year (89). A large section
in the side of an airplane had torn loose and 10 or 11 people
had been sucked out. A thought raced through my mind… my
song leader and his wife were headed for Hawaii and that’s
where this plane was going. Then I realized they were not
leaving for several weeks yet.

  Now just suppose you went to the ticket counter to book a
flight. You buy the ticket and the attendant hands it to you
with these words. “You should know, sir, that on this plane,
seating one hundred passengers, ten seats, sometime during
the flight, will suddenly give way and drop their occupants
out of the plane.” You reply, “Don’t put me in one of those
seats.” The attendant replies, “But that is impossible; we
don’t know the seats that will give way. Have a good flight,
sir.”

  You’d say, “Forget it!” No way am I going to ride on that
plane! I’m not going to take the chance.”

  I adapted the ticket illustration from an article that
appeared in the April 24, 1965 issue of Christianity Today.
The article, on page 25, continues, “People must be informed
that the use of alcohol is not unlike Russian roulette: every
tenth person becomes automatically hooked.  The only solution
is total abstinence.”

  Alcohol spells TROUBLE for us all. It is the most dangerous
drug in general use today. In this study we are going to take
a look at what the Bible has to say about alcohol use.

I.  A LOOK AT THE WORDS

    There are 637 references to drink and drinking in the
    KJV of the Bible. In those references thirteen different
    words are translated “wine.” To understand what the
    Bible has to say about drinking, we need to look at
    some of these words.

    OLD TESTAMENT

    “yayin” (3196) [pronounced yah-yin] — This word occurs
    140 times. It is a general term for grape beverages and
    includes all classes of wine, non-alcoholic or
    alcoholic; unfermented, in the process of fermentation
    and fermented. It was always diluted with water.

    “shekar” (7941) [shay-kawr] — This Hebrew word occurs
    23 times. It is the word for strong drink, unmixed wine.
    The 1901 edition of THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA says “Yayin,
    wine, is to be distinguished from shekar, or strong
    drink. The former is diluted with water; the later is
    undiluted.”

    “tirosh” (8492) [tee-roshe’] — This word is used about
    38 times. It refers to fresh grape juice. It is referred
    to often as new wine or sweet wine.

    NEW TESTAMENT

    There are some New Testament counterparts to these
    words.

    “oinos” (3631) [oy’-nos] is the counterpart of the Old
    Testament word yayin.  It is used 33 times.  It is a
    general term for grape beverages and includes all
    classes of wine, non-alcoholic or alcoholic –
    unfermented, in the process of fermentation and
    fermented. It was always diluted with water. Often the
    context has to be used to determine whether the drink
    was intoxicating or not.

    “sikera” (4608) [sik’-er-ah] is the counterpart to the
    Old Testament word shekar. It is the word for strong
    drink, unmixed wine.

    “gleukos” (1098) [glue-kos] is the counterpart to the
    Old Testament word tirosh. “It refers to a fresh wine, a
    new wine” Dr. Paul Dixon says.

II.  THE POSITION OF THE BIBLE ON DRUNKENNESS

    DRUNKENNESS IS COMDEMNED IN THE BIBLE

    Isa. 5:11 – “Woe unto them that rise up early in the
    morning, that they may follow strong drink (7941); that
    continue until night, till wine (3196) inflame them.”

    Prov. 23:20 – “Be not among winebibbers (5433);
          The word means to drink so much that you become
          tipsy or drunk.

    Rom. 13:13 – “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not
    in rioting (2970 – drunken partying) and drunkenness
    (3178 – general drunkenness)…”

    Gal. 5:19a and 21 “Now the works of the flesh are
    manifest, which are these…drunkenness (3178)…”

    Eph. 5:18 – “And be not drunk (3182 form of 3178) with
    wine (3631) wherein is excess; but be filled with the
    Spirit.

    DRUNKARDS ARE AMONG THE LIST OF THOSE WHO WILL NOT
    INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

    I Cor. 6:9-11 (key 10)

Summary

  You can’t get around it and in fact all godly men agree that
the Bible condemns drunkenness. Drunkenness is a serious
matter.

III. THE BIBLE CONDEMNS STRONG DRINK ALSO

    Prov. 20:1 “Wine (3196) is a mocker (3887 – causes one
    to act crazy), strong drink (7941) is raging (1993 –
    causes one to rage): and whosoever is deceived thereby
    is not wise.”

    NOTE again, Isa. 5:11 – “Woe unto them that rise up
    early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink
    (7941); that continue until night, till wine (3196)
    inflame them.”

      Prov. 23:29-31 — “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who
    hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds
    without a cause? who hath redness of eyes? (30) They
    that tarry long at the wine (3196); they that go to seek
    mixed wine (4469 – a mixture of wine and spices). (31)
    Look not thou upon the wine (3196) when it is red, when
    it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself
    aright.”– Reference is to drinking fermented wine &
    strong drink. The strong drink was the “mixed wine”
    which was a potent mixture of wine and spices.

    WHAT WAS “STRONG DRINK” IN BIBLE TIMES?

    Distillation was not discovered until about 1500 A.D.
    Strong drink and unmixed wine in Bible times was from 3%
    to 11% alcohol. Dr. John MacArthur says “…since
    anybody in biblical times who drank unmixed wine (9-11%
    alcohol) was definitely considered a barbarian, then we
    don’t even need to discuss whether a Christian should
    drink hard liquor — that is apparent!

          CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT DRINK STRONG DRINK!

    Since wine has 9 to 11% alcohol and one brand 20%
    alcohol, you should not drink that. Brandy contains 15-
    20% alcohol, so that’s out!  Hard liquor has 40 to 50%
    alcohol (80 to 100 proof), and that is obviously
    excluded!

    Someone will say, “since beer is only 4% alcohol, IT’S
    OK FOR A BELIEVER TO DRINK BEER, RIGHT?” The answer is
    NO! Here’s why…

IV.  IN BIBLE TIMES, WHAT CHRISTIANS DRANK WAS SUB-ALCOHOLIC,
    BASICALLY PURIFIED WATER

    Remember the Hebrew word “yayin” and the Greek word
    “oinos” that we looked at earlier? These were the
    companion words for wine whether fermented for
    unfermented.  Remember, the key emphasis was on the fact
    that whether fermented or not, it was MIXED WITH WATER.

    Let’s look at what John MacArthur has to say about
    this… (see article titled – How do the alcoholic
    drinks of today compare to those of biblical times)

          Norman Geisler, Dean of the Liberty Center for
          Christian Scholarship, Liberty University,has
          written: “Many wine-drinking Christians today
          mistakenly assume that what the New Testament meant
          by wine is identical to wine used today.  This,
          however, is false. In fact, today’s wine is by
          Biblical definition strong drink, and hence is
          forbidden by the Bible. What the Bible frequently
          meant by wine was basically purified water.
          Therefore, Christians ought not to drink wine, beer
          or other alcoholic beverages for they are actually
          strong drink and forbidden in Scripture.  Even
          ancient pagans did not drink what some Christians
          drink today.”

    All alcoholic beverages used in our culture fall under
    the biblical classification of STRONG DRINK and
    therefore forbidden. The least ratio of water to wine
    mixture in the was 3 parts water to 1 wine. That
    produced a sub-alcoholic drink that was 2.5% to 2.75%
    alcohol.  Normally, the ratio was even higher, up to 20
    to 1.  Their is NO BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIANS
    DRINKING THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF OUR DAY! What
    believers drank was sub-alcoholic by todays standards.
    Pastor’s and deacons were cautioned to steer around even
    the sub-alcoholic stuff (I Tim.  3:3 and 8).

    The right choice is to abstain! What is your choice?

    Does the Bible give any instances were alcohol can be
    used? Let’s move in to our next study and see.

                      SAY NO TO ALCOHOL
                  by Pastor David L. Brown

OUTLINE

I.  WHO IS ALCOHOL FOR?

    A.  Someone who is near death and in great pain.
    B.  Someone who is experiencing great anguish was given
          alcohol as a sedative.

II.  WHY SHOULDN’T BELIEVERS DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

    A.  DRINKING LEADS TO DRUNKENNESS
    B.  THE BIBLE CONDEMNS THE DRINKING OF STRONG DRINK
    C.  DRINKING CAUSES OTHERS TO STUMBLE
    D.  DRINKING HARMS OUR BODIES WHICH ARE THE LORD’S
    E.  BELIEVERS ARE KINGS and PRIESTS, SEPARATED UNTO GOD
    F.  ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE

INTRODUCTION

  Richard Quebedeaux, neo-evangelical author wrote in his book
The Worldly Evangelicals, “In the course of establishing
their respectability in the eyes of the wider society, the
evangelicals have become harder and harder to distinguish
from other people. Upward mobility has made the old
revivalistic taboos dysfunctional.” He goes on to say that
evangelical business people have “changed their minds” about
such things as drinking and smoking and found it necessary
and pleasant to do those things.

  That’s a sad commentary on the state of Bible believing
Christians in light of the fact that we are neither to be
conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2) nor love the world(I John
I John 2:15). We ARE to be SEPARATE FROM world (2 Cor. 6:17)
and LIGHT TO the world (Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15).

  Perhaps social drinking has enhanced the acceptability of
Christians in society but it has not advanced the cause of
Christ and it does not glorify God! Social drinking is simply
a means which the devil uses to blunt our testimony for
Christ and squeeze us into his mold. There are at least SIX
GOOD REASONS A BELIEVER SHOULD NOT DRINK. We will take a
close look at each of those reasons as soon as we answer the
question — Does the Bible say there are any legitimate
reasons to drink alcoholic beverages in the Bible?

I.  WHO IS ALCOHOL FOR?

    “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and
    to those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and
    forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”
    Prov. 31:6-7

    This verse lists two categories where strong drink could
    be used…

    A.  SOMEONE WHO IS NEAR DEATH

          “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to
          perish…”

          The phrase “ready to perish” is but one Hebrew word
          that is generally used of a person who is near
          death. In reality alcohol was used as a anesthetic
          to ease the pain.

          Our Lord Jesus Christ is an illustration of the
          medicinal use of wine in this way. In Matthew
          27:33-34 we see Christ was offered vinegar mixed
          with gall to drink just prior to his crucifixion.
          The word vinegar is the Greek word for “sour or
          bitter wine.” It was mixed with gall to become a
          powerful medicine that would take the edge off
          pain. After just a taste, Christ refused it.
          Again, we see “sour wine” being used as a pain
          killer in John 19:28-30. Just before Christ dies,
          he requests a drink. Even this request was to
          fulfill prophecy. They give him a sponge soaked in
          “sour wine.”

    The believer does not need to drink alcohol as a pain
    reliever today. We have much more sophisticated and
    power pain killers available.

    There is a second category where it was allowable to use
    strong drink in the Bible.

    B.  SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING GREAT ANGUISH

          “Give strong drink to those that be of heavy
          hearts…”

          Emotionally speaking, the term “heavy heart”(4751)
          is used to describe a heart crushing experience.
          Strong drink was used in these cases as a sedative
          to calm the person. Today, we have much more
          effective sedatives.

          Prov.31:7 describes the results that are hoped for.
          First, that they forget their “poverty” (7389),
          that is their desperate circumstance. Second that
          they forget their “misery” (5999) or pain.

II.  WHY SHOULDN’T BELIEVERS DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

    A.  DRINKING LEADS TO DRUNKENNESS

          1 out of every ten drinkers becomes an alcoholic
          according to American Medical Association.  Rather
          than play Russian roulette with the bottle, it is
          better not to drink at all.

          The Bible is clearly against drunkenness. It says
          “Let us walk honestly…not in…drunkenness”
          Romans 13:13

          It says, “And be not drunk with wine…” Ephesians
          5:18. That means wine or any other alcoholic
          beverage.

          An individual who is habitually drunk will not be
          in Heaven according to I Corinthians 6:9-10. We see
          from verse 11 that drunkenness, along with the
          other sins is spoken of as being in the past…”and
          such WERE some of you.”
          There is another reason believers should not
          drink…

    B.  THE BIBLE CONDEMNS THE DRINKING OF STRONG DRINK

          Prov. 20:1 says “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is
          a raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
          wise.”

          Wine and strong drink are used as synonymous in
          this verse. Anyone who drinks them are deceived.

          Prov. 23:31 says “Look not upon the wine when it is
          red, when it giveth colour in the cup, when it
          moveth itself aright.”

          The reference is to fermented wine or alcoholic
          wine (remember, in the Bible, the word wine covered
          anything from freshly squeezed grape juice to
          alcoholic wine).  The phrase “look not” means don’t
          give any thought to or refuse to pay any attention
          to. The focus it alcoholic wine. So you come out
          with the idea — DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT DRINKING
          ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. DON’T EVEN CONSIDER DRINKING!

          All the alcoholic beverages that are produced today
          would fall into the category of strong drink and
          are subject to the Biblical injunction against
          strong drink.

          Another reason believers should not drink…

    C.  IT WILL CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE

          Romans 14:21 says ” It is good neither to eat
          flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy
          brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made
          weak.”

          Innumerable Christians claim their “Christian
          Liberty” when it comes to social drinking. In order
          to do that they must turn their backs on this
          passage of scripture. “Sipping Saints” have given
          multitudes of people an excuse to drink. More than
          once I have heard a believer say “there is nothing
          wrong with drinking in moderation. Pastor so and so
          even says it is OK.” I had one of my members say
          something like that to be in justification of his
          drinking. I discovered his drinking problem one
          Saturday when a frantic teenager called me saying
          one of the church members was pounding on the
          church door and carrying on like a mad man. It
          scared her witless. As it turned out “sipping
          saints” had given this man a justification to
          drink. He had both stumbled and was made weak.

          The problem is, drinking often sets off a chain of
          influences like tipping over the first domino.  He
          had a wife and kids at home and his actions set off
          a chain of events that caused some to stumble,
          others to be offended and some were weakened, using
          dads rationalization to do the same.

          According to a survey done by the Daily Journal
          newspaper, October 26 of 1988 one of the top five
          reasons teenagers drink is because their parents
          drink. This has proven true time and time again.

          Let me take it one step further. Parents, you must
          remember that whatever you do in moderation your
          children will likely do in excess.

          The Bible clearly defines drinking as an activity
          that is to be foregone because it causes others to
          stumble and makes them weak (fall into sin).

          There is yet another reason that believers should
          not drink…

    D.  IT HARMS OUR BODIES WHICH ARE THE LORD’S

          I Cor. 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is
          the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which
          ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
          bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
          body, and in your spirit which are God’s.”

          I Cor. 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple
          of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
          If any man defile the temple, him shall God
          destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which
          temple ye are.”

          How many of you had high school or college biology?
          I did and it was great. I especially enjoyed the
          fit the girls had when we had to dissect first the
          large grass hoppers and then the frogs. But what
          was really rank was the day we had to walk up to
          the big barrel fill with formaldehyde and reach in
          and get a cat. That day some of the babes lost it
          and I think even one of  the guys. I will never
          forget the aroma of the formaldehyde.

          That brings me to what Dr. Robert Haas has to say.
          He is the president of the American College of
          Sports Nutrition. He said, ” Beer, wine and hard
          liquor form toxic substances called aldehydes that
          can destroy the liver, kidney, and brain cells.
          (Most of us who took high school biology probably
          dissected a frog that was preserved in
          formaldehyde). Aldehydes serve a useful function in
          preserving or “pickling” dead animal tissue, but
          they serve no beneficial purpose in people.
          “Alcohol dehydrates (robs) your body of its
          precious water supply, and along with the water go
          vital nutrients such as B Vitamins, calcium,
          magnesium, and potassium.”

          According to the September 81 issue of Good
          Housekeeping “Even in moderate amounts alcohol has
          noticeable effects on the body. Because it enters
          the blood stream it touches almost every organ, and
          its effects on feelings and behavior are well
          known.”

          Alcohol has adverse affects on your esophagus,
          stomach and intestines, bloodstream, pancreas, liver,
          heart, bladder, kidneys, glands and your brain.
          (See appendix for a more complete listing).

          “The most drastic and noticed effect of alcohol is
          on the brain. It depresses brain centers,
          progressively produces uncoordination, confusion,
          disorientation, stupor, anesthesia, coma, death.
          Alcohol kills brain cells and brain damage is
          permanent.” (From – Office of Highway Safety,
          Madison, Wi)

          As believers our body belongs to the Lord. We
          should not knowingly do anything that would harm
          it. Alcohol harms the body, therefore we should not
          drink alcohol.

          There is a further reason you should not drink…

    E.  ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE

          I Cor. 6:12 tells us that we are not to “be brought
          under the power” or to be controlled by anything.
          The only exception is the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18).

          Alcohol is clearly a powerful addictive substance
          (Prov. 23:35). In the appendix you will find a
          chart showing the stages of addiction as well as a
          questionaire that can help a person determine where
          he/she is at in the addiction process if they are a
          drinker. Because alcohol is addictive, we should
          choose not to drink alcoholic beverages.

          The final reason we will consider for not drinking
          alcoholic beverages is…

    F.  BELIEVERS ARE KINGS and PRIESTS SEPARATED UNTO GOD

          “The prophets, the kings, the Nazarites, the
          leaders — those who were special in the plan of
          God were total abstainers” says Dr. Paul Dixon and
          he’s correct.

          Kings and public officials were not to drink-Prov.
          31:4-5

          Dr. Paul Dixon says “the priests of the Old
          Testament were to abstain totally.” The Aaronic
          priests were not to drink because they ministered
          in the tabernacle before the Lord (Lev.  10:9).

          The application: Believers are a “royal” or kingly
          priesthood (I Pet. 2:9). We are the temple of God
          (I Pet. 2:5). We are God’s special children and
          should choose total abstinence.

SUMMARY

  Drinking, even social drinking, cannot be legitimately
supported by the Bible. Every drink that is available today,
even Beer, falls into the category of unmixed or strong
drink. Drinking unmixed or strong drink is forbidden in the
Bible, except in two instances. First, it was given to
someone who was near death to relieve pain. Second, it was
dispensed as a sedative to those experiencing great anguish.
The fact is, there are SIX GOOD REASONS THE BELIEVER SHOULD
NOT DRINK… 1) DRINKING LEADS TO DRUNKENNESS  2) THE BIBLE
CONDEMNS THE DRINKING OF STRONG DRINK 3) DRINKING CAUSES
OTHERS TO STUMBLE  4) DRINKING HARMS OUR BODIES WHICH ARE THE
LORD’S  5) BELIEVERS ARE KINGS and PRIESTS, SEPARATED UNTO GOD
6) ALCOHOL IS ADDICTIVE

  YOU MUST MAKE A CHOICE…TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK, THAT IS
THE QUESTION.

          WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ENSLAVED TO ALCOHOL

    What should you do if you find that you are hooked on
alcohol?

I.  ADMIT THAT YOU ARE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL

    Before anyone has even the chance of being helped, they
    must realize that there is a problem. The Bible is clear
    that drunkenness is a sin.  You must be willing to admit
    that you have sinned and come short of God’s standard.

II.  BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN HELP YOU GET THE VICTORY OVER
    ALCOHOL

    There is no problem too big for God. Jeremiah the
    prophet prays “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the
    heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched
    out arm, and there is nothing too hard for
    thee:”(Jeremiah 32:17). The Lord confirms the prophets
    estimation of Himself in verses 26, 27 of the same
    chapter as we read, “Then came the word of the LORD unto
    Jeremiah, saying, Behold I am the LORD, the God of all
    flesh: is there anything to hard for me?”  This
    rhetorical question implies a NO! There is nothing to
    hard for the Lord to accomplish.  God WILL help those to
    go to him and determine to follow his instructions.

III. TRUST THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR and TURN YOU
    WILL AND LIVES OVER TO HIS DIRECTION AND CARE

    The Simple Plan Of Salvation –(Read the following
    verses in the Bible)

    1. John 3:16 — God Loves You
    2. Romans 3:23 — You are a sinner
    3. Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8 — You need salvation
        from your sins because unless you are saved you will
        die and are destined to the Lake Of Fire (Hell)
    4. Ephesians 2:8-9 — Your good works cannot Save you,
        salvation is a gift that must be personally received.
    5. I John 2:2-Christ paid for our sins 6. John 14:6 –He
        is the only way to Heaven
    6. Luke 13:3 — Repent of your sins and ask the Lord’s
        forgiveness for your sins.
    7. Romans 10:13 — Call upon Christ in prayer and
        ask Jesus to come into your life and save your soul.

                            ***

    SALVATION is the first decision you must make, but there
    is a SECOND decision you must make also. It is revealed
    in Romans 12:1-2 which says, “I beseech (urge) you
    therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
    present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and
    acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
    transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
    prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will
    of God.”

    In this decision, you tell the Christ, “I am yours. I
    give you my mind, will and body. I am in your hands.
    Please give me the desire for victory and the power over
    alcohol.”

IV.  TAKE AN HONEST, INDEPTH MORAL INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE

    Note your weaknesses, your character flaws, your sins,
    your shortcomings, your wrongs. Don’t play games. Don’t
    deceive yourself. See yourself for what you really are.
    Then, move on to the next step…

V.  CONFESS TO GOD and ADMIT TO YOURSELF AND ANOTHER
    INDIVIDUAL THE EXACT NATURE OF YOUR WRONGS. BUILD AN
    ACCOUNTABILITY BOND WITH A TRUSTED FRIEND AND GIVE HIM
    THE AUTHORITY TO CHECK UP ON YOU.

    I John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful
    and just to forgives us our sins, and to cleanse us from
    all unrighteousness.”

    James 5:16 says “Confess your faults one to another, and
    pray one for another, that ye may be healed…”

VI.  TELL THE LORD YOU ARE READY TO HAVE HIM CORRECT and REMOVE
    YOUR CHARACTER DEFECTS
    Psalm 139:23-24 says “Search me, O God, and know my
    heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be
    any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
    everlasting.”

VII. MAKE A LIST OF ALL PEOPLE YOU HAVE HARMED AND MAKE
    RESTITUTION WHEREVER POSSIBLE, UNLESS MAKING AMENDS
    WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD

    Luke 19:8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the
    Lord…if I have taken anything form any man by false
    accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

    The principle of restitution is seen in both the Old and
    New Testament. By way of application, sometimes a simple
    apology is sufficient. On other occasions a monitary
    settlement is in order. Each situation is dfferent.

VIII.CONTINUE TO EVALUATE YOUR LIFE AND PROGRESS. IF YOU SIN
    OR FALL, CONFESS IT TO THE LORD PROMPTLY.

IX.  PRAY OFTEN, MEMORIZE and MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE, ATTEND A
    BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH

    Approach God humbly in your prayers. Be specific in your
    sharing and asking. Thank the Lord for His blessings and
    help.

    Memorizing and meditating on scripture passages acts
    like cleanser and medicine on our minds. Memorize Psalm
    1, 23, 34, 51; Romans 6, 7, 8; Philippians 4 etc.

    Start going to a solid Bible-believing church.

X.  READ — GOD IS FOR THE ALCOHOLIC BY JERRY DUNN

    This fine book is published by Moody Press. It is broken
    into three sections — 1) UNDERSTANDING ALCOHOLISM  2)
    WAYS TO HELP THE ALCOHOLIC  3) WAYS THE ALCOHOLIC CAN
    HELP HIMSELF

NOTE: Many of the above suggestions were adapted from
material used in ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS but modified to be
thoroughly biblical.

  If you need spiritual counsel, contact the Pastor of a good
fundamental, Bible-believing church. If you do not know where
to begin in doing this you can call Pastor David L. Brown at

LOGOS COMMUNICATION,
P.O. BOX 173,
OAK CREEK, WI. 53154

Copyright 1989 by David L. Brown
You are allowed to reproduce this article only in its entirety and
without additions or deletions.

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