No scriptural references come to mind easily when a believer condemns those that love their beer. This, sadly, has provided a safe hiding place for drinkers and smokers.

One, however, may need to read between the lines of scripture because the fine print often says more than we see: it’s the principle of the spirit, rather than the letter.

It is important to first cite the reason why people drink, and the consequences of their drinking. For some, it’s a social and cultural rite which is believed to enhance relationships and bind ties within sub-cultural groupings. In fact, according to the gospel of John, the first miracle that Jesus performed¸ at the wedding in Cana, was after the wine had run out so he turned water into wine.

Drinking is not outrightly condemned in the Bible. For that reason you find that some churches (Read denominations) like the Roman Catholic and Anglican have no qualms about members who love the bottle. But in most Christian circles, it is generally agreed that it is better to refrain from the bottle because of issues to do with self-control and abuse.

Some have argued that the Bible does not adequately furnish believers with concrete details that drinking is forbidden of God. But nothing can be further from the truth. Understandably, the majority of drinkers cite the need to escape from life’s hardships, to forget (which unfortunately is just a temporary reprieve) the difficulties they may be going through. It’s just a matter of escapism, a proven unhealthy method of dealing with problems.

What we need to understand that it is not through alcoholism that the burdens of this world can be taken away. In fact, Jesus reveals to us the way out of those challenges. He says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Describing the works of the flesh in his letter to the Galatians (Chapter 5:21), Paul cites “drunkenness” and “revellings” in a raft of ills associated with those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.

What the Bible condemns is the result of drinking alcohol which, by extension, can be viewed as condemnation of the alcohol itself. The Bible says in Romans 13: 13, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

I have noticed that for most drinkers, the motive is to get ‘high’ and to be spiralled to a world of fantasy where there’s nothing but just excitement and bliss. But the reality is that soon, you will crash back to earth and face the same issues you thought you had escaped in the few moments of intoxication.

You probably need to ask yourself: are you a drunkard? According to a testimony on the website, www.exdrunkard.com, a drunkard is someone who drinks four or more alcoholic beverages and get drunk three or more times each month.

Drinking — which in some instances can lid to full-blown alcoholism — has been a major contributor in the collapse of marriages, family breakdowns, domestic violence, career ends and a host of other social ills. Drinking is often linked to commotion and disorderly behaviours.

There are some people who have become so enslaved by the bottle they would sell anything, do anything, to get money to get drunk. Alcohol has become their religion, their reason, their god. They worship the bottle.