Have you ever wondered why most church covenants state that a member should not drink any alcoholic beverages? The word clearly states that everything should be done in moderation. Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
How often do people do anything in moderation? How many people actually just have one glass of wine or one mixed drink or just one or two beers? How many people buy their kids fast food often to save money or time even though it isn't healthy? How often do people let their kids fill up on empty calorie foods so they won't have to cook? How many people never drink water because soda taste better? It is so important to do things in moderation.
But what else goes along with that? Why should godly people do everything in moderation? Why do we have to do things in moderation? We have to exercise self control. Let's read the rest of that passage of scripture. Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Nine times out of ten when we are not doing things in moderation we are not keeping ourselves in check and our thoughts are running wild. But why else would the word instruct us to do everything in moderation? And why do most church covenants instruct us to not drink alcoholic beverages? The word states that a drunkard will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Let's see how this works: 1. We don't do things in moderation. 2. We don't keep our mind in check with the word. 3. We take for granted our salvation by giving in to the flesh, and; 4. Sin enters our minds and hearts. It is true we all make mistakes but if you will be honest with yourself you consciously make the decision to not do things in moderation because the holy spirit tells us right from wrong.
Church covenants do not state to not drink alcoholic beverages out of religion but out of knowledge of the common human being. Do yourself a favor, if you know you can't do something in moderation don't do it at all to resist temptation. God bless you.
