Myth 3: It's Okay to Drink Socially
Romans 14:15 - The weaker brother principal

^"And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died." (NLT)

So we busted the myth! Or did we?

There were a number of comments explaining why and how drinking might be considered okay.

• It's okay to drink socially. After all, there is nothing in the Bible against occasionally drinking
• Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11).
• Drinking wine was a part of the culture when done in a responsible, non-destructive way.
• Water was commonly polluted, so they drank wine, which was a healthier choice.
• It is possible to drink without getting drunk, and getting drunk is what we are forbidden to do in Scripture (Ephesians 5:18).
• Occasionally it is okay, if it is not a problem for you.
• Look at Proverbs 31:6-7, where we are encouraged to give alcohol to the depressed
• Everything God made is good, so use your own convictions. While some things are bad for some people and the world has twisted some things, you should be able to use your own judgment and drink if you don't get drunk and it isn't an issue for you.

And then there were comments explaining why iit is not good to drink socially.

• "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful..." (1 Corinthians 6:12); if something is sin to a person, then it is not okay for that person.
• It is better to avoid doing so (drinking) because one may not know what others might be fighting with.
• "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler..." (Proverbs 20:1). so stay away from it altogether.
• It is important to keep in mind and be sensitive to how the world views the character of a believer.
• We are to be in the world, not of the world.
• There is a danger in crossing lines that one had not intended to even approach, so it may be better to stay clear of potential problems entirely.
• There is a concern about the appearance of evil.
• We need to remember that we will make an impact for Christ, whatever we do (Colossians 3:17).
• And then the bigger issue: it is not good for us to do things that might make another (a weaker) brother stumble. Romans 14:21: "It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble." (HCSB)
  

See you next week when we attack another myth!