A Sober Life
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:1-5
Getting drunk is nothing new. I write to you on this subject as reports and signs mount around us that America is increasingly drug addicted. Recent reports on alcoholism in America show that since the pandemic female alcoholism has risen sharply to match the already high rate of alcoholism in men. The mind-altering effects of psychedelic drugs and mushrooms have not only become common but are now recommended and openly spoken about among Silicon Valley business leaders to promote ‘mental creativity.’ Cocaine continues its prominence in the work hustle culture that presses people beyond human bounds of productivity. Drugs of every kind are more available, altered to be more powerful, and more accepted than ever before. Legal cannabis that is lab altered for far greater potency per unit is now widely available. Alcohol, vapes, CBD, and new products that appear regularly, are available on every corner to keep the buzz going around the clock. Pharmacies continue to leak prescription strength narcotics to the streets in quantities that make whatever is available in the pharmacy available on the street to anyone seeking. Drug use and addiction has consumed our culture.
It should be no surprise that there is a new epidemic of drug addiction among youths and young adults. These addictions fuel all types of ungodliness, societal breakdown, joblessness, homelessness, prison, and death. So many of the drugs consumed today are not naturally occurring in any way. They’re drugs that are carefully lab formulated to produce a high/buzz but also to maximize addiction.
I’m writing to you to remind you in no uncertain terms that as Christians we are commanded to live sober lives. When we become disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to leave behind drunkenness, drunken parties, and addiction to live a sober life marked by freedom in Jesus Christ. Here are some important verses related to this for you to read: Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-35, Luke 21:34-36, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Galatians 5:21, 1 Peter 4:1-5.
Let’s look at the basic problems related to getting high/drunk. First, getting drunk or high will result in sin. You can be sure of this because the Bible teaches us about fallen human nature. In the heart of every man, woman, youth, and child there is deceit and wickedness. You were born a sinner and will not be free of the effects of sin until heaven. In His grace, the Lord has put many barriers in place to keep your sin nature from running wild. Before salvation there is the common grace of conscience – a basic resident moral sense that brings a sense of guilt upon you when you sin. Structures in society and laws that set up guardrails keeping you from giving full vent to your passions. But, most importantly, is the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, where we are born again and have the active shepherding of the Lord protecting us from sin and death.
When you get drunk or high it lowers your inhibitions and lessens your ability to think clearly. When you are drunk or high your actions tend toward sin and recklessness. It will result in broken marriages, wasted money, lies, law-breaking, anger, violence, and sometimes death (ex: drunk/high driving). Drunkenness never leads to godliness.
Second, addiction is the outcome of regular drinking and drug use. Habits and dependence develop that become very hard to break. If drunkenness/getting high results in sin, a lifestyle of this leads to destruction. Drug and alcohol addiction results in lost jobs, divorce, estrangement, homelessness, and prison every day in this country. If you think you can maintain addiction without these consequences touching you – you’re lying to yourself. Paul writes, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated (enslaved/addicted) by anything” (1 Cor 6:12). Addiction relates to a habit that dominates your life and enslaves you. It controls you. You don’t control it.
Third, in a drunken or high state we are not prepared for the sudden second coming of Jesus. In Luke 21:34-36, Jesus warns us that a life weighed down by drunkenness does not leave us prepared for the second coming of Jesus. That is a shocking thought – being caught drunk or high at the time of the return of Jesus. Standing before the glorious Jesus, who has come to judge the world – trying to sober up. This same concept is referred to by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. A part of our daily Christian virtue is the vigilance of hope that Jesus will return again. In a very real sense, we must live prepared to face Jesus without shame.
Drunkenness and addiction can arise from many different sources, but it always relates in some way to a love for the pleasures of the world. However, a sober and clear-minded life has always been a mark of godliness. We cannot live for Jesus while also enslaved to a love of the world. Escaping drug culture and addiction first involves a true-hearted turn toward Jesus in faith. A genuine belief that in Jesus there is hope and eternal life, and that this world is in-fact on a broad road to eternal destruction. If you struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, reach out for help. The humility to admit that you have a sin problem and asking for help, is the first step toward recovery.
Please remember that the gospel is not about sinners cleaning themselves up and then presenting themselves to God. The gospel is about us calling out to Jesus from the depth of our sin and hopelessness, that He might free us, forgive us, and raise us up to new life. If drug culture and addiction is a part of your life, see it for the sin that is. Call out to Jesus today for new life and begin to leave these old ways behind!
Next week I will continue this topic speaking to the wisdom and bounds of Christian freedom in these areas.
May the joy of the Lord be our strength,
Pastor Vic