drinking

Considering you are only 15, I would ask why you are even around alcohol that is available to drink in the first place. I have a beer on occassion but not often. When I say a beer I mean A beer as in 1. I think you have to be careful when you do things like that because as Christians we are always in the publics eye. People base their opinion of Christianity on us. I am not perfect by any means but I think that by setting a bad example we show people that they can continue to live the same lifestyle. If someone sees me in the pub drinking, then they probably think to themselves, ''Hey, if he is a Christian and he can go to the bar then why do I have to change anything?" People shouldn't look at us and see the same characteristics of an unbeliever.

Thanks everyone, I wasn't asking for myself, but there's a few people I know who are Christians and who are one or two years older than me that drink regularly.

Well, I don't know what the law is like in your country, but the Bible also tells us to respect and follow the laws that government puts forth (unless that law would involve us sinning or denying God). So if a country has a drinking age of 21, and you're drinking, but not getting drunk, and you're only 18, you're still breaking the law and sinning.

Drinking age in SAis 18 which is the age of my friends

As for me I don't drink and feel I need not do so for several reasons three of which follow. First I want to attwmpt to hold the highest standards and example for my children. Not that having an occasional drink lower the standard, but if they think it is ok once, then twice, and keep on to the point of adiction, then I set that example. The second is very much the same as the first except as an example for those around me and within my circle of influence. Finally the Third is I would not want to risk getting used to it for myself and risk an addiction for myself or risk negative view of my wittness and walk.

All that said, I don't think scripture condemns a drink. Therefore I don't directly believe it is a sin in and of itself. However It does warn against and condemn being drunk in any way. So why risk it, Its not worth it, to me.

What iz it you are drinking and iz it ok for yoouuu?

As we are different we all can respond differently to differnt thingz including drinks of different types.
What is your history , if you have history of trauma.
Do you have a social net work or are you isolated and alone for even such a thing contributes to your responce of say....alcohol.

A glass of wine stay at one glass or do you get drunk of your rockers on one glass then drink another ten glasses........
Use and abuse and where one draws that line for you as we are different.

Love alcohol , specially a good red wine and wish could drink one glass and leave it at that but if you know that you cant then its better stay away from it all2gether.

Do you find yourself turning to it in a bad , destructive way for some type of false comfort instead of turning to God maybe this easier for those without real friends and support in crisis.

Concidering how much damage and destruction alcohol can cause I think its advisable be careful with consuming it.
Find one self behaving in ways and not being oneself.

Would be wonderful to have a "one glass limit" for some thats not advisable either.
That One glass leads to five or ten....

Reading about cultures and good people ruined by alcohol for they could not handle it.

To enjoy a fine wine such a joy but when one knows ones body, history or being falls into abuse or bad reaction to it then it better stay away.

May we be filled with "the good stuff" in "the good way".

Moderation is the key, however, "To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation" (wise words of an early Church Father, St. Augustine).

You are 16?
WHY DO YOU ASK?
Stay away from it as far as the east is from the west.
The Bible says "wine is a mocker and strong drink a rager, and those that are fooled by it are not wise."
Young girl, - - stay away!

I have to agree Rick. It's all fun and games until you wake up and find out you're deeply in addiction bondage to a substance. Few realize how sick they are until they try to extract themselves and find out that no matter what they do, they cannot. I've seen even atheist addicts desperately call on God in recovery and after He answered them with some time in sobriety walk around dazed that He actually did. It's no joke. Addiction kills people and when an alcoholic goes out like that it's a humiliating destruction of a mind, body, and soul to watch.

I watched one alcoholic go blind over time and later die from it. The ambulance driver had to pry his cold dead hand off a whiskey bottle. He definitely had the gene. Tragic.

Research shows that the younger you drink, the more likely you are or will be an alcoholic. I would never encourage a person under 21 to ever drink.

Don't drink alcohol at all young Sister, like RickShafer said Check out what the WHO says about it here WHO | Alcohol

Here's some facts, please check them out and share what you have learned with your friends and please don't drink.

Alcohol:
Key facts:

• The harmful use of alcohol results in 2.5 million deaths each year.
• 320 000 young people between the age of 15 and 29 die from alcohol-related causes, resulting in 9% of all deaths in that age group.
• Alcohol is the world’s third largest risk factor for disease burden; it is the leading risk factor in the Western Pacific and the Americas and the second largest in Europe.
• Alcohol is associated with many serious social and developmental issues, including violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace.

[HR][/HR] The harmful use of alcohol is a global problem which compromises both individual and social development. It results in 2.5 million deaths each year. It also causes harm far beyond the physical and psychological health of the drinker. It harms the well-being and health of people around the drinker. An intoxicated person can harm others or put them at risk of traffic accidents or violent behaviour, or negatively affect co-workers, relatives, friends or strangers. Thus, the impact of the harmful use of alcohol reaches deep into society.



Leviticus 10:9-10, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;"

"OH BUT IT'S FUN!"
HELLO!!! - As Satan said, "just taste of the fruit",.....He never leads anyone wrong.
Satan is like light.....so you can trust him , because he always appears beautiful.
He never lies.
You believe that?
You believe the best intentions are rewarded? - DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?
See predators stalking prey. Watch it.
Watch the wolves tear into the carcass of a doe while it yet is standing.
Watch lions latch onto the hinder parts of wildebeests fleeing for their lives,.....see them take them down slowly.
You think this is reference material?
A predator never waits for the prey to die before it starts eating it.
What? Do you think predators play by the rules? Ha,ha,ha,ha.......(Neither does Satan)

It is very common for youngsters aged 13 and under to drink alcohol and become intoxicated so they nolonger know what they do and vomit .
They often make "witches brew".
This is a bottle filled with any and every spirit they can get a hold of and then they get drunk on it.
There is also "home brewed spirits" which many have died from as it may be made so strong.
In Scandinavia and russia strong spirits was very common and excess was drunk and specially those youngsters in depression.

Being drunk led to destruction and pain and badness to heal and mend.

One would rather 16 year old di not drink alcohol but truth is it is very common.

In moderation and to enjoy the spirit and taste and feel with out becoming intoxicated.
Half a glass with dinner may be enough.
Some people are intoxicated by half a glass of wine.

Some may not drink alcohol often but when they do drink they do so to excess.

As for me I will not drink alcohol now but as I do love the taste maybe I can "get away" with one mouth full/sip from another cup or taste from a good friends glass and leave it there.

<Drinking Is Not A Sin Unless It Offends>

The key to answering the question if "drinking is okay or not” requires wisdom and consideration for another Christian’s (spiritual) state-of-mind.

Colossians 2

16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

The following expository interprets these verses in proper context:

“Since they were complete in Christ, had everything in him, were circumcised in him; and particularly since the handwriting of the law was blotted out, and torn to pieces through the nails of the cross of Christ, the apostle's conclusion is, that they should be judged by no man…or on account of not observing the laws and rules about meats and drinks, in the law of Moses; such as related to the difference between clean and unclean creatures, to abstinence in Nazarites from wine and strong drink, and which forbid drinking out of an uncovered vessel, and which was not clean; hence the washing of cups religiously observed by the Pharisees. There was no distinction of meats and drinks before the law, but all sorts of herbs and animals, without limitation, were given to be food for men…which law stood only in meats and drinks, and such like things, but is now abolished; for the kingdom of God does not lie in the observance of such outward things, but in internal ones, in righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost…nor is anything in its own nature common or unclean, but every creature of God is good, ‘if’ it be used in moderation and with thankfulness.”
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible Colossians 2:16

The Colossian scriptures supports that “drinking is not a sin” provided it is consumed in moderation. Equally important, there is a caution when considering others that may be negatively influenced by Christians that do “drink”:

1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 10]For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

These verses are directed to mature Christians and speak to the subject of eating meat offered to idols and how it could have a negative spiritual influence upon certain sisters/brothers: In the same way, drinking can offend and cause a “weak-conscience” Christian to enter into diverse temptations. If the individual that drinks offends in this manner by causing the weaker brother/sister to stray—it is an offense to Christ and thus sin. Hereby, drinking is “not okay”.

Having a drink in moderation is OK, but getting drunk is a sin.

For everyone its different. In moderation its ok but for me its a sin. I have no control

getting drunk is a sin and if you remain a drunk at the time of your death you will be thrown into hell

Drinking heavily puts people at risk for many adverse health consequences, including alcoholism, liver damage, and various cancers. But some people appear to be at greater risk than others for developing these problems. Why do some people drink more than others? And why do some people who drink develop problems, whereas others do not?

Research shows that alcohol use and alcohol-related problems are influenced by individual variations in alcohol metabolism, or the way in which alcohol is broken down and eliminated by the body. Alcohol metabolism is controlled by genetic factors, such as variations in the enzymes that break down alcohol; and environmental factors, such as the amount of alcohol an individual consumes and his or her overall nutrition. Differences in alcohol metabolism may put some people at greater risk for alcohol problems, whereas others may be at least somewhat protected from alcohol’s harmful effects.

Read this: NIAAA Publications