What is your PERSONAL opinion on alcohol consumption in moderation? Bethany teaches very strict doctrine and seems to disapprove of alcohol consumption completely but what is your opinion? Would you have a problem with someone in your cell group drinking?

Great question: here is my legitimate personal opinion, based on my view from Scripture:

1) I Thess. 5:22 -- "avoid the appearance of evil." In most cases, whether public or private, drinking will bring a stumbling block on your personal Christian witness. Some people will go as far as to call you a hypocrite, even if you don't get drunk. So, in every case, it's usually best to avoid it altogether.

2) Drinking usually is one of those things that most people don't have self-control with. And, it only takes one time of getting drunk, even if you have walked in self-control for 5 years, to destroy all that you have worked for with your drunkenness causing you to do something outside of appropriate character.

3) What is the benefit of alcohol consumption? Even in a casual/social setting, alcohol drinking is a selfish move at best because it has NO PERSONAL OR CORPORATE BENEFIT. So, the personal who socially drinks BUT IS CHRISTIAN is really thinking & acting selfishly in many ways.

4) Point: My thoughts are not based on Bethany BUT on God's Word & His heart. Also, I would have a problem with someone in my group drinking because of all the things I said above, but I WOULD NOT try to dictate what they do through control...that's NOT God. I would give them the Word, hold them accountable, but still allow them to operate in their free will. God is responsible for the increase.

5) Avoid trying to use cultural justification to permit yourself to feel ok about alcoholic consumption. Go to the Word of God, pray, etc.

6) We ALL HAVE INFLUENCE!!! So, your actions speak volumes to people. And, although you may be strong enough to handle something, those you influence may not be able to...so, you may be causing someone to stumble (which the Bible tells us not to do--II Cor. 8).

Thanks for the question!

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