Articles
Alcohol & Gluttony
Often when discussing the subject of alcohol, the argument comes up that we also eat unhealthy food. In fact, many are guilty of overeating which leads to a variety of health issues. Therefore since we eat food from, for example, McDonalds, why do we place more emphasis on social drinking? What about the issue of gluttony and how does it compare to alcohol?
First, gluttony is indeed a sin (Prov 23:20-21; 25:16). And if Christians are not spending time addressing this subject, we are not fulfilling the teaching of the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). It is interesting, however, that those who advocate social drinking are often guilty of the same negligence in that we generally only hear about this subject when the topic of social drinking is being discussed. If we need to talk about gluttony, let’s talk about gluttony. Let’s encourage one another in our eating to be temperate and restrained so as not to cross unhealthy lines. But let us also not be guilty of using the subject of gluttony as a red herring and diversionary tactic to avoid dealing with the issues related to social drinking.
Second, since I was very young I have been taught that “two wrongs don’t make a right”, which is also taught in scripture (Rom 12:17; 1 Thes 5:15; Matt 7:12). But some will bring up gluttony during conversations on social drinking not just to point out inconsistency, but to justify social drinking. The idea is, “Since so many are guilty of gluttony and nobody talks about it, what’s to keep me from continuing to drink alcohol?” This is not a valid argument. If both are wrong then both simply need to be refrained from. Attempting to use one to justify the other is not sound reasoning.
Third, food and ethyl alcohol are not the same thing. Food is an essential part of our development and growth as human beings with which we cannot live without. However, recreational and social consumption of ethyl alcohol is not essential to our development and growth; it can actually become a great hindrance. Ethyl alcohol alters our sobriety, encumbers the functions of our mind, and diminishes our ability to make rational and sound judgments. While gluttony can lead to a variety of health problems, I have never known of someone who beat their wives, neglected their family, killed someone in a highway accident, etc. because they overate at McDonalds. Long term health issues is one thing, but the consumption of ethyl alcohol can immediately hinder one’s ability to make wise decisions and think sensibly.
