Brief Summary
This video addresses the question of whether occasional light drunkenness is sinful for a Christian teenager seeking closeness to God. It argues that the focus should be on pursuing behaviors that enhance closeness to God rather than testing the limits of sin. The video emphasizes mental clarity, alertness, and wisdom, contrasting these with the dulling effects of alcohol. It highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in elevating mental faculties for spiritual discernment and fostering a deeper enjoyment of Christ.
- Closeness to God should be the primary goal, not testing the limits of sin.
- Mental clarity, alertness, and wisdom are essential for spiritual growth.
- The Holy Spirit enhances mental faculties for spiritual discernment.
- Drunkenness dulls the faculties needed for enjoying Christ.
Introduction
The podcast frequently discusses substances like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, painkillers, and marijuana, with a digest of related episodes available in the "Ask Pastor John" book. This episode revisits the topic of alcohol, prompted by a question from a Christian teenager who is trying to get closer to God and is wondering if occasional light drunkenness is sinful, even if he stays in control and prays for guidance. The teenager specifies that he has never been so drunk that he forgets things or acts crazy and doesn't intend to.
The Right Question to Ask
The most encouraging aspect of the teenager's question is his desire to get closer to God. Instead of asking if getting a little drunk is sinful, the more relevant question is whether it enhances his relationship with God. While some religions use drugs to induce spiritual experiences, Christianity emphasizes mental clarity and discernment as pathways to God.
Ephesians 5:18 and Mental Clarity
Christianity doesn't endorse using drugs, including alcohol, to get closer to Christ because God values being understood and known through the minds He has given us. Ephesians 5:18 advises against drunkenness, contrasting it with being filled with the Holy Spirit. The verses leading up to this emphasize wakefulness, carefulness, wisdom, and understanding the will of the Lord. The Holy Spirit empowers wakefulness, alertness, careful observation, and wise judgment, enhancing mental faculties rather than replacing them.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's role is to bring about closeness to God by revealing Christ and leading individuals to Him. Being full of the Spirit means enjoying the nearness of Christ, which is the opposite of drunkenness. Drunkenness dulls the very faculties God has given for the enjoyment of Christ.
Focus on Closeness to God, Not Closeness to Sin
The fundamental error is calculating behavior by asking how close one can get to sin, instead of focusing on how to enhance closeness to God. If the goal is to get close to God, one should focus on doing everything that enhances that closeness, rather than trying to get as close as possible to sin without actually sinning. Just as one wouldn't try to drive a car while only a little bit sleepy, one should not dabble in sin if the goal is to be close to God.
How Full Can I Be of the Holy Spirit?
Instead of asking how close one can get to sin, the question should be how full one can be of the Holy Spirit. This is a crucial warning for teenagers and Christians of all ages. The podcast has addressed various substances, referencing Proverbs 23:29-35, which applies to many different substances. Shared principles apply to these substances, and these are explored in the "Ask Pastor John" book.
Ephesians 6:12
The next episode will focus on Ephesians 6:12, which states that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The discussion will explore how this applies when our enemies appear to be people causing relational, emotional, physical, and mental pain.
