I get a lot of flack for my stance on Christianity and alcohol. In my opinion, they don't mix. As a matter of fact, I don't even believe that Christians, true professors of the Risen Christ, walking in the baptism of Holy Spirit should be repelled at the thought of ever knockin' back a beer.

The last time I went down this road, it was rocky to say the least, but I feel that I MUST press in. Clickclick goes my seatbelt...

Friends of mine are lovers of Jesus. I've seen the evidence of that. They move in the manifest presence of Holy Spirit. I've seen evidence of that too. They have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, they have felt His Hand directing their movement, their speech their thought life. The Spirit himself has testified with their spirit that they are God's children. (Romans 8:16).

So WHY when you have received ALL of this supernatural experience would you reach for a drink? Or two, or three...or even one?
Where does the need for that come from?

We know that God is Creator. In fact, as Salvationists, we covenantly agree that He is the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things. Satan, conversely, is NOT any of those things, although he would like to be. The closest he can come is to be the big imitator, twisting what God has created in beauty and love into something contemptible and loathsome, becoming the counterfeit, destroyer and tyrant of those whom are enslaved beneath his cruel mastery.
Therefore, if satan is the grand copycat, what is he mimicking in the realm of alcohol? (and drugs)

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)
Debauchery - Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures

The deal is this: God's plan if for His children to be filled with Holy Spirit, the part of Him that dwells within us, who communicates with our own spirits and reveals to us the deep things of the Father. For, "no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God...the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God HAS revealed it to us BY his Spirit." (2 Corinthians 2:11,10,9)

God meets with us in our spirit. His Spirit communicates with our spirit. The result can be speaking in the gift of tongues -Acts 2:4, to receive power (Greek word is dunamis which translates to power for performing miracles and for moral power and excellence of soul) - Acts 1:8, to be witnesses (Greek word translates to one who is a specatator of anything)- Acts 1:8
teaching us just what to say - Luke 12:12, guiding us into all truth - John 16:13 and so on and so on. That is what God created for us. How has the enemy twisted that? By taking alcohol and using it to block our spirit which communicates with God. How so? Well, when you indulge the sinful nature you are out of alignment and using something other than Holy Spirit to intoxicate yourself. "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." So it's either this (wine) or that (Holy Spirit)

What the heck! isn't the choice obvious?

Now my friends, regarding the argument of social drinking and how it's ok to only have one or two drinks every now or then, Paul speaks to that if you look closely: "Do not get drunk on wine, which LEADS to debauchery." It's all about a process. Just as being a Christian is a journey, so is the pathway to sin. Note Psalm 1:1. First we walk, then we stop and then we sit. Blessed is the man that doesn't even go there!

Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Filled - greek- pleroo = to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting

Therefore, does the need to kick back and drink indicate that there is something within us that is not being filled? That is left wanting? Instead of conforming to the pattern of the world and filling yourself with satan's nectar be transformed. Let Holy Spirit fill you instead and make you complete and lacking nothing.