Showing posts with label alcohol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcohol. Show all posts

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Home

In this blog, I provide training and instruction on being delivered from evil.

As the Scripture says:

"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name...deliver us from evil." (Mat 6:9, 13a)

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." (Eph 6:12-13)

Some of the topics covered include the origin of sin and satan, demonology, evil giants, conspiracies, the dangers of disobedience, the consequences of sin, the origin of secular music, the protection of God from the forces of darkness, spiritual warfare, angelic visitations, true freedom from bondage, and overcoming by the power of Jesus' Name.  I hope this will be an instructive, edifying, and encouraging experience for you that will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord.

Demonology 101 Demonology 201 Demonology 301
Overcoming the World The Evil Nephilim Giants What Lurks in the Darkness?
Sin and Consequence The Dangers of Disobedience Hiding Place
Speak to the Storm When All Means Fail - Part I When All Means Fail - Part II
Piercing the Darkness What About Conspiracies? Contending as one man
Even if it doesn’t happen like we expect The Flaming Sword The Kingdom of Darkness
The Evil Spirit of Alcohol The Origin of Sin, Satan, and Secular Music The Rise and Fall of Lucifer the Musician
Demons Disguised as Humans The Lord will Rescue You Sin, Satan, and the Submerged Sphere
Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God The Past Defeat and Present Threat of AI The Temptation of Christ
To Sin or Not to Sin Divorcing the Devil The Antichrist
The Battle Belongs to the Lord True Freedom How to Pray for the Devil
Angelic Visitations in Scripture Angelic Encounters Activating Your Angels
Various Types of Angels Binding Demons Preventing a Person's Salvation Angels Singing Caught on Audio Recording
Demonic UFO and UAP Incursions The Uncontrollable Rise: From AI Warning to End-Time Reality Drug Use is an "Illegal" Doorway to the Spirit Realm
Designed to Stay Grounded: A Look at Our God-Given Filters


You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. "Archangel" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm all rights reserved by the artist.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Friday, October 23, 2020

True Freedom

The world may define freedom as being free to do whatever you want and being free from all oversight, all government, all rules, and all laws, being free to come and go as you please. However, the Bible has a different definition of freedom.

The Truth Will Set You Free
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (Joh 8:31-32)

Notice He said this to the Jews who had believed in Him, which means they were believers. He said that the way he would know if they were really His disciples was if they would hold to His teachings. In other words, if they would put His words into practice (Mt 7:24), they would really be His disciples. And we all know that the only people who ultimately make it to heaven are disciples of Christ. This is the difference between believers and disciples.

I observe a cause and effect relationship in these verses. The first cause is "if you hold to My teachings." The effect is "then you will know the truth." From this we learn that the way you come to know the truth intimately and personally is by holding to Jesus' teachings. It is not simply through head-knowledge of the truth, but through putting it into practice that you come to know the truth much like you come to know a dear friend through experience together. 

The second cause I observe here is the same as the above effect. In other words, "then you will know the truth" now becomes the second cause. That second cause brings about another effect, which is "the truth will set you free." It's the truth that sets you free, and Jesus is the Truth (Jn 14:6). The converse of this statement is that the devil's lies keep you in bondage. The world falsely believes that indulging the sinful nature is true freedom, which is a lie of the devil, but in reality it is the truth that sets you free. It sets you free from all sorts of bondage, including (but not limited to) fears, phobias, mental illnesses, physical illnesses, sin, and addictions of all kinds.

If you could come to know the truth just by learning it in your head, then everyone that has memorized a few Bible verses would be set free. But we know that many people who have memorized Bible verses are not free but still in bondage. What Jesus taught was that when we come to know the truth by holding to His teachings, then the truth would set us free. As I said, Jesus the Son of God is the One who sets you free.

Sinners are Slaves, But Jesus Sets You Free Indeed
"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"  (Joh 8:34-36)

He plainly taught here that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but if the Son sets you free, then you will be free indeed. You will be truly liberated from the sin that once enslaved you. He's a chain breaker.

I have personally experienced this in my own life. I used to be in bondage to so many different sins, including cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, and sexual sins, but Jesus set me free indeed.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is There is Freedom
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2Co 3:17-18).

Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, you will find freedom. In that atmosphere, anything is possible. You might dance, or laugh, or cry, or fall down under the power of God, or lift your hands in worship, or leap for joy, or weep with repentance for your sins, or speak in tongues, or even prophesy. You are free to worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Illustration
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose." (Act 16:25-26).

This is a great illustration of what happens in the spirit when we worship God in spirit and in truth. Doing so brings about a shaking in the spiritual atmosphere and chains are broken off of you. 

God's Word is Not Chained
Paul wrote, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained." (2Ti 2:8-9).

Even when Paul was chained like a criminal, God's Word was not chained, because it cannot be chained. It is invincible! Nothing can stop it or hold it down.

Death Could Not Hold Him
Jesus is the Word, and even death could not hold Him down.

"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."'" (Mar 16:5-7)

"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Act 2:24). Since death is the last enemy to be conquered and death could not even hold Him down, Jesus has proven that He is victorious over all. There is nothing that can stop Him, and nothing in your life that He cannot set you free from.

He Frees Those in Slavery to the Fear of Death
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Heb 2:14-15)

The devil uses the fear of death to keep people in slavery to sin. It's one of his biggest tricks. But Jesus has broken the devil's power and frees those who are held in slavery by their fear of death.

Jesus Proclaims Freedom for the Prisoners
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free..." (Luk 4:18)

The good news is that Jesus came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. So if you are a prisoner to sin, I am proclaiming freedom to you today in Jesus' name! If you are a prisoner of anything, He can set you free. If you are oppressed, He can set you free. He died on the cross for you, shed His blood, and rose from the dead to make it all possible. 

He Liberates Us From Bondage and Brings Us Into Freedom and Glory
"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." (Rom 8:20-21)

This passage teaches us that all creation (including all people) has been subjected to bondage, but it will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God

Through Faith In Him We May Approach God With Freedom
"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Eph 3:12)

We Were Once in Slavery
"So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world." (Gal 4:3)

We Are No Longer Slaves
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods." (Gal 4:6-8)

Hagar - Mount Sinai - Present Jerusalem in Slavery with Her Children
The apostle Paul taught that Hagar represents Mount Sinai where the Law of Moses was given, which represents the present city of Jerusalem. "Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children." (Gal 4:25)

Heavenly Jerusalem is Free
"But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother." (Gal 4:26)

The heavenly Jerusalem is free and that is our home if we know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

We Are Children Of The Free Woman
"But what does Scripture say? 'Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son.' Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman." (Gal 4:30-31)

For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1)

Christ set us free to experience true freedom, so don't let yourselves go back under slavery again.

Called to Be Free, Not to Indulge the Flesh
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Gal 5:13-14)

Grace is not a license to sin. Jesus didn't set you free so that you could go and do whatever you want. You are His slave now.

"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves." (1Pe 2:16)

A Man is a Slave to Whatever Has Mastered Him
"They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for 'a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.'" (2Pe 2:19)

There are preachers and others who promise people freedom, but are actually themselves slaves to depravity. Watch out that they don't deceive you with their lies. Whatever has mastered a man, that is what he is a slave to. When I was mastered by alcohol, I was a slave to it. When I was mastered by cigarettes, I was a slave to it. It's that simple. Check yourself to see if you are mastered by anything, because if you are, then you are a slave to the thing that has mastered you.

To Be Led By the Spirit Is To Be Free
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:16-21)

You don't get to do whatever you want. You must be led by the Spirit, and then you will not be under the law, nor will you do anything in conflict with the Spirit. When you walk by the Spirit, you will not carry out the acts of the flesh, which are diametrically opposed to the Spirit. This is how to continue in the freedom you have received.

No Law Against the Fruit of the Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)

This is what the Spirit will produce in your life when you walk by the Spirit, and there is no law against any of these things.

The Word is the Perfect Law That Gives Freedom
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." (Jas 1:22-25)

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom..." (Jas 2:12)

What is this law he was talking about?

James was speaking in this passage of the perfect law of love. John Wesley said, "He who keeps the law of love is free. He that does not, is not free, but a slave to sin, and a criminal before God."

Matthew Henry wrote: 
Observe here, [1.] The gospel is a law of liberty, or, as Mr. Baxter expresses it, of liberation, giving us deliverance from the Jewish law, and from sin and guilt, and wrath and death. The ceremonial law was a yoke of bondage; the gospel of Christ is a law of liberty. [2.] It is a perfect law; nothing can be added to it. [3.] In hearing the word, we look into this perfect law; we consult it for counsel and direction; we look into it, that we may thence take our measures. [4.] Then only do we look into the law of liberty as we should when we continue therein - “when we dwell in the study of it, till it turn to a spiritual life, engrafted and digested in us” (Baxter) - when we are not forgetful of it, but practice it as our work and business, set it always before our eyes, and make it the constant rule of our conversation and behaviour, and model the temper of our minds by it. [5.] Those who thus do, and continue in the law and word of God, are, and shall be, blessed in their deed; blessed in all their ways, according to the first psalm, to which, some think, James here alludes. He that meditates in the law of God, and walks according to it, the psalmist says, shall prosper in whatsoever he does. And he that is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work which God's word sets him about, James says, shall be blessed. The papists pretend that here we have a clear text to prove we are blessed for our good deeds; but Dr. Manton, in answer to that pretence, puts the reader upon marking the distinctness of scripture-phrase. The apostle does not say, for his deeds, that any man is blessed, but in his deed. This is a way in which we shall certainly find blessedness, but not the cause of it. This blessedness does not lie in knowing, but in doing the will of God. Joh_13:17, If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. It is not talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven.

As the psalmist said, "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." (Psa 119:45)

Closing Words
Through this study in God's Word we have been reminded that true freedom is not like the world sees freedom, where you can do whatever you feel like doing and indulge your sinful nature. True freedom that Christ gives is the freedom to truly live life to the fullest the way God intended it. It's an abundant life, free from sin, free from bondage, free from fear, free from addictions, free from vain religion, and free from slavery to the devil and his lies. This is what it means to be free indeed. If you hold to Jesus' teachings, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. True freedom is found only in Christ through a personal relationship with Him.

Attribution notice: Most Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan. 

Author's note: I also recommend reading my articles, The Evil Spirit of Alcohol, Sin and Consequence, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, The Kingdom of Darkness, Demonology 101, Demons Disguised as Humans, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Five Divine Revelations, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, as well as the articles available through the Home page of this blog.  You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org. 

Saturday, April 21, 2018

To Sin or Not to Sin

Actor Edwin Booth as Hamlet, 1870
Perhaps the all-time most famous line from any drama play or literature is "To be, or not to be: that is the question." It would probably be one of the first to come to mind for most English-speaking people if they were asked to quote a line of Shakespeare. Of course, it comes from Shakespeare's 1602 play, best known as Hamlet, in which the main character by that name considers to himself aloud whether or not to take his own life. In the end, he did not commit suicide, which is a tragic mistake for anyone to make, since it is a great sin in the sight of God to murder oneself.

I would like to consider another question in this post, and that is: to sin or not to sin. I recently wrote to someone who was seeking God and wanting to know the truth, but who kept putting off giving his life to Jesus and being born again. I asked him why it is that man delays being saved when salvation is a free gift from God and it is so simple. It only takes a short time to repent and give your life to Jesus, so why does man put it off for later, when he knows that is what he needs to do? He replied to me that he supposed it is because it is easier to sin than not to sin. Therefore, I'd like to address that notion that it is easier to sin than not to sin. The lessons to be learned from this study apply not only to non-believers who are considering the claims of Christ, but also to believers who are already following Christ as their Lord and Savior.

To Sin
First let's approach the matter from the perspective that most people assume to be true, which is the one that assumes it is easier to sin. Is that really true? Well, that is what the devil wants people to believe. He has led the whole world astray and deceived mankind into thinking it is actually easier to sin than not to sin. How does he do that? There are various ways that satan lures people into sinning, in order to kill, steal and destroy. Three of his most common ones involve deception, temptation, and intimidation.

Deception
The devil is the father of lies and he does not stand in the truth. He was a murderer from the beginning. For Jesus said of the devil, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (Joh 8:44).

As the father of lies, the devil is a master of deception. According to Webster's dictionary, to deceive means "To mislead the mind; to cause to err; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose on; to delude." It also may mean to cheat someone or rob them. He misleads the minds of people to cause them to err and believe what is false or disbelieve what is true. He misleads the minds of people to believe that it's easier to sin, and it is harder not to do so. He deludes people into thinking that the easiest thing to do is just give in to their desires to do wrong.

For example, if a person's weakness is drinking alcohol, he will mislead their mind into thinking that it would be easier to consume those beverages, convincing them that it will make them feel better. He uses the same approach with drugs. And in fact it may make them feel better temporarily, but the devil does not tell people about the immediate and long-term effects of their sin that will ruin their lives and the lives of others. He does not tell them about the hangover they will have the next morning with its headache, dizziness or vomiting, or about the fact that it will cost them a lot of money that will leave them in poverty. He doesn't tell them about the motor vehicle accident they may have while driving drunk that may kill another human being, even someone they love. He doesn't tell them about the humiliation, the shame it will cause, the pain, and the trouble they will have with the law, losing their license, being fined, or even sent to jail for the rest of their lives. He doesn't tell them about the loss of their job that may result from their substance abuse habit or about the loss of their marriage, their children, or their health.

He convinces them that they can handle it and they don't really have a problem with substance abuse. He convinces them that they are a good person and that they will make it to heaven. He doesn't tell them that they will spend eternity with him in hell.

In fact, he also misleads people into disbelieving that which is true, such as the short and long-term consequences of their sin. The truth he convinces them to disbelieve may be the obvious negative effects that occur as a result of their sin during this lifetime, which we don't have to read the Bible to know about (e.g., liver cirrhosis, AIDS, divorce, etc), and he may also mislead them to disbelieve or twist spiritual truths found in the Word of God (e.g., the gospel, heaven, hell, etc). He may convince someone that since they are religious, or a person who does a lot of good for others, that God will overlook their sin and not punish them for it. He may convince them that they will still go to heaven and escape hell, because their good works will supposedly outweigh their sins. Or he may delude them to disbelieve that hell even exists.

There are countless ways he can deceive. Sometimes he does it directly by invisible demons speaking to their minds, but he can also use other people like friends, family, spiritual leaders, role models, culture, literature, media, music, and a host of other possible ways including demons disguised as humans. While the devil tries to convince people that sin is precious gold, it is actually only fool's gold. It is just rocks painted to look like gold, but it is not genuine. In the end, those who are fooled by him end up with nothing but a handful of gravel.

Temptation
As I said, another one of his tactics is temptation. According to Webster's dictionary, to tempt means "To incite or solicit to an evil act; to entice to something wrong by presenting arguments that are plausible or convincing, or by the offer of some pleasure or apparent advantage as the inducement." This is closely connected with deception, and may involve deception, but is a separate action of its own.

The devil may incite a person to say something cruel, hurtful, or mean to another person, such as a friend, neighbor, enemy, or even someone they love. He may present the argument that they will feel a lot better if they tell the person what they are thinking and how they are feeling at that moment. He may tempt the person to enjoy having feelings of hatred toward the other person, or harbor unforgiveness toward someone who has hurt them. He may solicit someone to engage in sexually immoral behavior with another person my making strong arguments for the immediate pleasure they will experience. Again, he has countless ways to tempt people by presenting some apparent advantage as an enticement or inducement to sin.

In my article, The Temptation of Christ, I explained how he tempted the Lord Jesus during His earthly life and how the Lord resisted his temptations. He has been tempting man for thousands of years, ever since he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden to eat the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:1-6). He tempted David to commit adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, which led to David having Uriah murdered, in order to take his wife from him and cover up his sin. And as I explained in my article, Sin and Consequence, David's sin with Bathsheba cost him very dearly by the serious consequences that arose from it afterward and troubled him for the rest of his life. Although God forgave him when he repented, it left a trail of problems in its wake including rape and rebellion in his family.

James wrote: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." (Jas 1:13-15). And you can be sure that the devil and his demons are behind temptation.

Therefore, you cannot overcome temptation in your own strength, since you are up against a powerful spiritual enemy. You need supernatural power to resist, and that is why Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt 26:41, NIV).

Intimidation
Another key tactic that the devil uses against humans to kill, steal, and destroy is intimidation. According to Webster's dictionary, to intimidate means "To make fearful; to inspire with fear; to dishearten; to abash." To abash means "To make the spirits to fall; to cast down the countenance; to make ashamed; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, error, inferiority, etc." All of these are part of what I mean by intimidation. The devil likes to scare people and make them fearful in order to cause them to sin. He also likes to discourage people and get them down, make them feel ashamed, confused, guilty, or inferior.

For example, when Moses sent the twelve spies to spy out the Promised Land, they saw the giants there and ten of the spies came back with an evil report for Moses. They were fearful of the giants and felt inferior to them. They were disheartened from going into the Promised Land. The devil still does the same thing today. He may intimidate someone into thinking they could never live for God, that they could never live a righteous or holy life. He may intimidate them into thinking that if they confess their sin, everyone would look down upon them and they would be rejected. He uses guilt and shame like that to keep people trapped all their lives in a perpetual cycle of sin. He may intimidate someone into thinking that they will go to jail if they confess to the police what they have done, or he may intimidate someone into thinking that people will reject them if they testify for Christ, or that they will lose their job for it, and that without a job their family would starve. He may intimidate someone to commit sin out of fear of being hurt by others. He may scare someone into denying Christ out of fear of being killed.

However, the Lord Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Mat 10:28)

The fear of death is what the devil uses to keep people in bondage to sin. The apostle wrote, "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives." (Heb 2:14-15). Jesus has set us free through his death on the cross from the devil, who once had the power of death, and who still keeps people in slavery to sin through the fear of death.

Those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior can say with David: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?" (Psa 27:1)

Therefore, the devil often uses one or more of these three weapons against people: deception, temptation, and intimidation. And he often uses more than one of them together to increase his effectiveness. All of these explain why he is able to convince people that it is easier to sin. It's no wonder people actually believe the lie that it is easier to sin.

Instant Gratification
Another reason why someone may consider it easier to sin is that it is a means of instant gratification. Since they get to immediately fulfill their lust or craving, or get relief from their feelings, they find it easier to cope that way. Of course, this is a very myopic view that fails to consider the broader picture of what happens after that.

Slaves of Depravity
Another reason that a person may consider it easier to sin is that before a person comes to Christ, he is a slave to sin, therefore he must sin, since he is compelled to do so (Ro 6:16). He is a child of the devil, who wants to carry out the desires of his father the devil (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:10). For a sinner, it is his nature to sin, so sin comes naturally to him. Sin reigns in his mortal body, so that he obeys its lusts (Ro 6:12). He is a slave to the one he obeys, which is sin, resulting in death. "For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” (2Pe 2:19b, NIV). Sinners have a ruthless taskmaster who never relents, never has enough, and is never satisfied, but always requires more. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can set sinners free from that bondage, and until He does so, it may be difficult or impossible for them to imagine what it would be like to be free.

Loving the Darkness
Another reason that man thinks it is easier to sin is that he loves darkness rather than light. Jesus said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." (Jn 3:19, NIV). So when people love darkness, they enjoy their sin too much to part with it.

Not only do they love darkness, but they hate the light, so that explains why it seems harder to them not to sin. Jesus said, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." (Jn 3:20, NIV). The reason they hate the light is they are afraid that their evil deeds will be exposed. They don't want to come under conviction for sin or be reproved. Therefore, they remain in the darkness and demonstrate no remorse, no regret, and no repentance. There is no departing from iniquity.

Walking in Darkness
Furthermore, those who are walking in darkness do not know what makes them stumble. "But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble." (Pr 4:19, NIV). Before a person comes to Christ, he doesn't truly understand the reasons why he does the things he does, which are actually sinful in God's sight. He is bound to keep stumbling over and over in sin, until He comes into the light to Christ. As Jesus said, "Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” (Jn 11:9b-10, NIV). Therefore, the man walking in darkness feels that it is easier just to keep stumbling than not to stumble.

Now let's consider the other point of view, which is based on God's Word.

Not To Sin
Let's look at the truth of the matter, which is that it is actually easier not to sin, once you come to Christ. This truth is simple to explain in light of all that I have just covered, up to this point. Considering the short-term and long-term consequences of sin that we experience during this life, as well as the eternal consequences, it is actually easier not to sin.

Momentary Nature of Sin
On the one hand, the pleasure derived from committing a sin is very brief and momentary when compared with the rest of a person's life. The pleasure of sin itself may last for a night, but then there are the painful difficulties and hardships it causes, which may endure for years or the rest of your life. A person could be crippled or maimed for life as a result of indulging in one moment of sinful pleasure. Sin lasts only for a season, and Moses was wise enough to choose to be afflicted with God's people than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.

The Scripture says, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;" (Heb 11:24-25, KJV).

Momentary Nature of Life
Not only is sin momentary, but life is also very brief, as I wrote in my article, Life is Short, Eternity is Not. When you compare this earthly life with eternity, it is like a short moment in time. Even if you live a long life to be eighty years old, that is nothing compared to eternity.

Even a long life like that would be as momentary as a vapor coming off of boiling water that quickly dissipates into the air, or like a morning fog that is soon gone when the heat of day consumes it. James said, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." (Jas 4:14).

For the psalmist said, "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." (Ps 103:15-16, NIV78).

We need to understand that the things that are seen are only temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Paul said, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Co 4:18).

Abundant Life
It's actually much easier to enjoy abundant life in Christ. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (Joh 10:10). Before I was saved, when I was living in sin, abusing drugs and alcohol, when I was confronted with the gospel, the devil tried to deceive me into believing that living for Jesus would be dreary and boring. I thought that I would never again enjoy fun times of hilarious laughter like I did when I was drunk or high on drugs. How foolish! That could not be farther from the truth!

Since I came to know Christ thirty-two years ago, I have experienced an abundant life in Christ filled with more joy, laughter, and fun than I could have ever imagined. There have been times when the Holy Spirit has come upon me and I have experienced a holy laughter that was pure and wonderful, unlike anything this world has to offer. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit and living the Spirit-filled life has been far more enjoyable than living that old life of sin and shame. I'm so glad I decided to give my life to Jesus and follow Him in this abundant life, rather than stay in sin. If I had remained in sin, I would never have come to know such joy unspeakable and full of glory! I would have probably ended up dead or in jail eventually, but instead he has blessed me with a wife and children and all the happy moments that we have enjoyed together. He has blessed me with the joy of preaching the gospel in countries around the world, as well as here in the United States, seeing people give their lives to Jesus. I have experienced the glory of His manifest presence, as well as the wonder of seeing people miraculously healed and set free from demons. I am able to sing and rejoice with a clear conscience. Nothing I had before Christ could ever compare with the abundant life He has given to me. The truth is that it's easier to live the abundant life than to live in sin.

Slaves of Righteousness
Those who have repented of their sins and come to Christ have been set free from sin and become slaves of righteousness. Paul said, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Rom 6:18, NIV). Now instead of being enslaved by sin, we are free from that master, and we have become slaves to obedience which leads to righteousness (Rom 6:16). Those who were once "slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness" now become "slaves to righteousness leading to holiness" (Rom 6:19). Those who were once free from the control of righteousness are now under its control. Paul said, "Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Rom 6:22, NIV). Therefore, a slave of sin will feel that it is easier to sin, while a slave of God receives His power to live a righteous life. Thus they do so, not in their own strength, but by His glorious grace.

Reaping What You've Sown
There is a basic principle that you reap what you've sown, and this holds true both in this present life, as well as the life to come. Paul said, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Gal 6:7-8). It's much easier to reap eternal life than eternal corruption.

Eternal Consequences of Sin
Consider all that a person trades for mere sin. It's not worth it, considering that sin is so brief and momentary and eternal punishment lasts forever. You're only hurting yourself to your own shame.

Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mar 8:36-37)

Hell is forever and there are no exits. There is nothing easy about it. Every moment is filled with pain, torment, sorrow, regret, loneliness, and fear. The intense heat is unbearable, and there is no water to drink, so there is nothing to quench your thirst. It's a place of outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30), where the worms that eat them do not die, and the flames are never quenched (Mk 9:44,48).

You cannot repent after you die, and mercy is only available while you are on this earth, so you need to give that serious consideration. It is hard to suffer the punishment for sin for eternity in hell, and countless millions of people have already gone to that horrible place. They are ready to repent right now if they could just come back to earth for one minute. They believe in Jesus now. But it's too late for them. They had their chance. Now they must pay the price for all eternity, because the wages of sin is death.

The apostle Paul said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23). And in Proverbs it says, “The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment.” (Pro 10:16). In other words, the pay back that man gets for sin is just like the wages he earns for his labor. Wages are paid to you for what you do, so you earn them and you deserve them. That is why death is the pay back for sin. That means eternal separation from God, and it doesn't get any harder than that. As the proverb says, "the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction." (Pr 13:15b, NIV). And as the psalmist said, "The way of the wicked will perish." (Ps 1:6).

Eternal Rewards 
On the other hand, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23). That means that you cannot earn eternal life, since it is a gift from God to you. He desires to give you this wonderful gift, but you cannot try to earn it through your own good works. Neither can you receive this gift unless you repent of your sin and believe on Jesus Christ. You must have a personal relationship with Him.

Peter said, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Act 2:38). Whether you are a non-believer or someone who has already given their life to Jesus who is backslidden in sin, you cannot be forgiven unless you repent. But if you will repent, then mercy is available for you, and you will be saved through faith in Christ. You need not perish in hell like so many others have.

God loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him in heaven. He doesn't want you to perish. In fact, He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance. John said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (Joh 3:16). As I have said, eternal life is easier than perishing.

God has so many wonderful rewards for those who repent and follow Jesus. Those rewards are real and they are eternal, unlike the fool's gold that the devil offers. In heaven there is no death, no pain, no tears or sorrow (Rev 21:4). The city is made of pure gold, as pure as glass (Rev 21:18). Even the great street of the city is made of pure gold (Rev 21:21 ). It's walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone (Rev 21:19). The city shines brightly with the glory of God (Rev 21:11,23). There is a pure river of the water of life there that is clear as crystal, and there are many mansions (Jn 14:2). The tree of life is there, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month (Rev 22:2). There are countless myriads of holy angels, as well as the spirits of righteous men made perfect (Heb 12:22-23; Rev 5:11). There is no sin there, because nothing impure may enter that place, and nobody who does what is shameful or deceitful will ever enter it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27). God is reigning over the universe there on his throne at the center of it all, and Jesus Christ sits at his right hand with great power and glory -- with angels, powers, and authorities in submission to Him (1 Pe 3:22).

The apostle Peter said, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," (1Pe 1:3-4).

I am not saying the way to heaven is easy or that if you follow Jesus you won't have any more problems. Certainly it's a straight and narrow path, as I have written in my article by that name. And as Paul said, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Act 14:22b). It's true that we must enter the kingdom of God through many hardships, but it's well worth it! Our afflictions are actually light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory. There is no comparison, as Paul said, "For [our] momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." (2Co 4:17)

Nothing Can Compare
Some gospel songs come to mind that express what I am trying to say, such as the one that says:

"Lord, You are more precious than silver
More costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares with You."

Truly nothing I desire compares with Jesus. Another song goes:

"He is fairer than the lily of the valley
He is brighter than the morning star
He is purer than the snow
Fresher than the breeze
Lovelier by far than all of these."

Those of us who've come to know the Lord know firsthand that when you look into His holiness,
and gaze into His loveliness, when you've found the joy of reaching His heart, all things that surround you here on earth become mere shadows in the light of Him. Everything else pales in comparison, as that song goes by Kent Henry, When I Look into Your Holiness.

The last lyrics I'd like to mention are from a song by Jim Reeves called I'd Rather Have Jesus, that goes like this:

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold I'd rather be his than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
Yes I'd rather be led by his nail pierced hands
Than to be the king of a best domain and be held in sins dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today."

Putting it All Together
Having looked at the question of whether it is easier to sin than not to sin, we can easily conclude that it is actually easier not to sin, when you consider all things. The assumption that it is easier to sin is actually a false perception based on the instant gratification experienced by the flesh. However, it is not based on reality. Don't fall for the devil's deception, temptation, or intimidation. For he comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. He wants to take as many souls down to hell with him as he possibly can. Don't go to that horrible place!

Just as I said in my opening that it is a tragic mistake for anyone to commit suicide, it is just as tragic for anyone to remain in sin, because they will suffer the same fate. To sin or not to sin is just as profound a question as the one Shakespeare's character Hamlet asked. However, it is not just a question for some actor on stage in a fictitious drama, but a crucial question that every human being must face up to and decide for themselves what they are going to do. Perhaps you have either never given your life to Jesus, or you once did so and then returned to a life of sin, and this message has spoken to you. Dear friend, why should you perish?

Repent of your sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus, listen to Him, put His words into practice, and do the will of God. Only those who follow Him will be saved (John 14:6). Only those who put His words into practice will be saved (Mt 7:24-27). Only those who do the will of God will be saved (Mt 7:21). The grace of God is not a license for you to sin (Rom 6:1). It teaches us to say "No!" to ungodliness (Tit 2:12).

Heaven is a glorious and beautiful place that is real, not fictitious. God wants you there with Him for eternity. He wants to give you eternal rewards and a glorified body. The rewards there will far outweigh anything this world or satan has to offer. But the only way to get there is to repent and follow Jesus all the days of your life. Whether you are a saved already or not, you need to know that it is not easier to sin. It is easier not to sin. While it may be a straight and narrow way, marked by sorrow, troubles, and afflictions, it will result in an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. It will result in glory, honor, and immortality. Let me encourage you to follow that way.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, except where noted. Other Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan. The "Deception" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm of Inspired Art, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note: I also recommend reading my articles, The Evil Spirit of Alcohol, Sin and Consequence, The Dangers of Disobedience, Life is Short, Eternity is Not, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, The Kingdom of Darkness, Demonology 101, Pleasing the Lord, Piercing the Darkness, The Book of Life, Demons Disguised as Humans, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Five Divine Revelations, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven, and Godly Attire & Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations,  Spiritual Warfare, as well as the articles available through the Home page of this blog.  You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Thursday, August 20, 2015

The Evil Spirit of Alcohol

Four people died in the crash pictured above
Before I came to know Christ, I was a heavy drinker, which the Bible calls a drunkard. I began drinking alcohol at age thirteen, taking shots of hard liquor from my parents' liquor cabinet and drinking beer with my friends. At that young, tender age I learned what it was like to be lying on the ground drunk. I became hooked and continued abusing alcohol until I came to know the Lord at age nineteen. Even before I was of legal drinking age, I would go to parties and thought it was fun to drink to the point of intoxication. Later when I joined the Army, I went to clubs, bars, and taverns to drink. All throughout those years from age thirteen to nineteen, I smoked marijuana as well, and often did so while drinking alcohol.

But I found that the good feelings I experienced while I was drunk or high always came to an end, and usually with very unpleasant side effects. Plenty of times I drank to the point of vomiting, and I was well acquainted with headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and other disgusting symptoms my body experienced during the hang over period when my body came down from intoxication.

When I repented of my sin and gave my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on February 13, 1986, He delivered me from alcohol and drugs, as well as cigarettes, which I had started smoking at age twelve. I did not go through any twelve step program. The Truth set me free by the power of the Holy Spirit. When He did, I came to know the true joy that only Jesus can give. It's a lasting joy that remains in your heart all the time, and does not depend on some artificial substance. It's not like the momentary lift that alcohol or drugs bring. It's far more wonderful that that! It's also pure and holy, and it doesn't damage your body or your mind. You don't need a twelve step program to get delivered from alcohol, you need twelve steps to the altar to genuinely repent of your sin. You need to be delivered from evil spirits.

Alcohol is evil and there is an evil spirit associated with it. It has enslaved and ruined the lives of countless millions of people. Anyone with a bit of common sense should be able to see, by the bad fruit produced by alcohol consumption, that it's not of God. But drinking has become widely accepted among Christians, whom David Wilkerson once called "sipping saints".  And later in my walk with God, I became one of them. While I still understood that drunkenness was sin, I thought it was permissible for a Christian to drink a glass of wine or beer with dinner, or on other occasions. However, as I have plainly shown in my article, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, both Scripture and divine revelation teach us that alcohol leads people down to hell and should be avoided like the plague. As Wilkerson said, "It's time all drinking Christians were challenged! It's time for the Holy Spirit to expose the looseness, the slaphappy 'anything goes' attitude." [1]

Alcoholic Drinks of Bible Times Contrasted with Modern Ones
Drinking alcohol for recreation has no place in the life of a disciple of Christ. To prove my point, let's take a moment to contrast the modern alcoholic drinks of today with the wine and strong drink in Biblical times. The following are some key points to understand:

1. Distillation was not discovered until around 1500 A.D. That is the process whereby the alcohol is boiled out of wine or other fermented liquids. The vapors from the boiling alcohol are captured and then turned back into liquid form, which has a stronger concentration of alcohol than the original liquid that was boiled. Therefore, in Bible times, since they did not yet have distillation, strong drink and unmixed wine had lower alcohol content by volume than the distilled liquors available today (spirits like brandy, vodka, gin, whiskey, etc).  Natural fermentation does not produce a higher alcohol content than 20%, since yeast cannot ferment any further at that level. [3]

2. Since wine today typically has 9 to 11% alcohol, and can be as high as 20% alcohol, you should not drink it. "Brandy contains 15 to 20% alcohol, so that's out! Hard liquor has 40 to 50% alcohol (80 to 100 proof), and that is obviously excluded!" [2]

3. Wine in biblical times was diluted to stretch it out and make it last longer. There are various views on what the common dilution ratio was, with some ancient documents saying it could have been as high as 20 to 1, but I do not want  to speculate on that. Even a dilution ratio of 3-to-1 would obviously produce a lower alcohol content in the wine. In fact, any dilution at all would lower the alcohol content by volume.

Now let's connect the three key points I've just made. The fact is that a higher alcohol content than 20% was not possible during Bible times, due to the absence of a distillation process.  And the Bible still warned against the dangers of wine and strong drink (Pro 20:1; 23:20-21,29-35; 31:4-6). We might assume that strong drink had an alcohol content of 12-20%, since it was stronger than wine, which had a lower alcohol content. Therefore, since we have drinks available today with 20-50% alcohol, these are much more potent and dangerous than even the strong drink referred to in the Bible. It's the devil's poison!

John Wesley Preached Against Alcohol
John Wesley preached against drinking alcohol during the eighteenth century, which you will see if you read his "Word to a Drunkard," and the Methodists who followed his teachings were also against it [4]. They did not even want to use wine for the purpose of taking communion (i.e., the Lord's Supper). Therefore, in 1869, Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch decided to create non-alcoholic communion juice for the Methodists, by using Louis Pasteur’s innovative new technique called pasteurization. "He boiled the bottles of grape juice, which not only helped preserve the juice, but also killed all of the yeast in the bottles. This prevented fermentation, so the drinks would not be alcoholic." [5]. That's how Welch's grape juice was invented. Many churches today still use grape juice for communion, rather than wine, which is a wise choice.

Some people consider John Wesley's teachings too strict.  But a sister named Victoire Afangbedzi from Togo received a divine revelation in which she saw John Wesley in heaven, and he told her to tell all the Methodist people on earth to return to the Word of holiness. He told her to ask them to go back to the old way, to preach holiness. He said, "If they don't want to preach holiness, they will never see Jesus." The Lord told her that John Wesley preached holiness on earth, and that when he died he went to heaven. She saw his mansion there.

In fact, a Korean pastor named Yong Park, also saw John Wesley's mansion in heaven, when he died a wretched death in the hospital in 1987. He came back to life afterward and said that Wesley has one of the four tallest homes in heaven, which I have written about in my article called The Four Tallest Homes in Heaven. Wesley was a great holiness preacher, who upheld the faithful Word of God, and others like Victoire Afangbedzi and Yong Park have seen evidence that the Lord was pleased with his earthly ministry. We need more preachers today who will do the same.

Scriptures about Alcohol and Drunkenness
Here are just a few Scriptures about the use and abuse of alcohol:

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21)

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit," (Eph 5:18)

The apostle Paul wrote: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-11)

"Woe to you who make your neighbors drink, Who mix in your venom even to make them drunk So as to look on their nakedness!" (Hab 2:15)

"Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding." (Hos 4:11)

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise." (Pro 20:1)

"Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags." (Pro 23:20-21)

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter." (Pro 31:4-6)

"Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!" (Isa 5:11)

"Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine And valiant men in mixing strong drink," (Isa 5:22)

"And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment. For all the tables are full of filthy vomit, without a single clean place." (Isa 28:7-8)

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will utter perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. "They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink." (Pro 23:29-35)

A Perpetual Statute for Priests About Alcohol
“The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, ‘Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die--it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations-- and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.’" (Lev 10:8-11; cf. Eph 5:18).

The New Priesthood of Believers
"But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of god; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  (1Pe 2:9-10; cf. Ex 19:5-6)

The New Temple
"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1Co 3:16)

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1Co 6:19-20)

Also see Joel 1:5; Amos 4:1-2.

Dealing with Denial
One of the most common characteristics of an addiction is denial, whereby the person denies they have a problem. You might be thinking, "I'm not addicted" or "I only drink in moderation." You might say, "I could quit drinking any time I like" or "It's not a sin, as long as I am not falling down on the ground." If you are a sipping saint, and you don't believe it's a sin, then I want to challenge you to fast from alcohol for a few weeks.  You could try fasting from it for three to six weeks and ask the Lord during that time what He thinks about drinking alcohol. Ask the Lord to expose anything in your life that is hidden that must go. If you are unable to complete the fast, then you know you are addicted.

As Wesley said, "O repent! See and feel what a wretch you are. Pray to God, to convince you in your inmost soul. How often have you crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame! Pray that you may know yourself, inwardly and outwardly, all sin, all guilt, all helplessness. Then cry out, 'Thou Son of David, have mercy upon me! Thou lamb of God, take away my sins! Grant me thy peace. Justify the ungodly. O bring me to the blood of sprinkling, that I may go and sin no more, that I may love much, having had so much forgiven!'" [4]

Putting it All Together
To sum it up, I am speaking from experience when I say that alcohol is evil and ruins people's lives. Wine, beer, and liquor are a trap of the devil to take you down to hell. This is evident when you take into account the whole of Scripture with respect to alcohol, and the Lord is once again warning us about this through divine revelations as I documented in my previous article, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations. I am well aware how addictive alcohol and drugs are, but I know first hand the power of God is great enough to break that bondage.

Please don’t make the mistake that because you are under grace, you are free to drink alcohol casually. Alcohol is evil and you are not free to do evil. If you are a sipping saint, I do not speak in anger or judgment on you, but only love. The Word of God will judge you on that great day. And all these Scriptures I have just cited will judge you. "Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Lk 13:5). However, if you will accept the Truth that I am giving you, you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.

Resources:
[1] Sipping Saints, by David Wilkerson
[2] Seven Good Reasons Christians Should Not Drink, by David L. Brown, pastor, Ph.D.
[3] Distilled Beverage, Wikipedia.
[4] Word to a Drunkard, by John Wesley
[5] Welch’s Grape Juice Started Out as a Substitute for Sacramental Wine.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note: Please prayerfully listen to sister Victoire Afangbedzi's testimony, and use the Testimony Review Process adopted by this blog, as you decide for yourself whether the Lord has spoken to her.  For issues and concerns, each person must confirm with the Lord, whether something is valid or not.

I strongly recommend reading Wesley's Word to a Drunkard. I also recommend reading my articles, The Truth Set Me Free!, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, To Sin or Not to Sin, Demonology 101, Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven, and Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead, as well as the articles available through the Home page of this blog.  You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.