Read Matthew 16:24 – Part 1
I AM NOT AN ALCOHOLIC!!!
It’s interesting how Jesus goes from having a conversation about his death and Resurrection, and how it is a stumbling block if we have our mind set on our interests over God’s interest. But then he transitions into a conversation about the cost of discipleship. Really, the two conversations go together. Having our mindset on the interests of God means being willing to go and do whatever is necessary to become one of his disciples. So what is the cost of discipleship?
Verse 24 says we must be willing to DENY OURSELVES. The Greek word for DENY is “aparneomai” which means to disown or renounce self; to disregard all personal interests and enjoyments.
Actually, this could be very very hard. Satan is always challenging us in this area. It could be anything. It could be something that relates to our job, relationships, moving, pleasures, addictions, and the list goes on.
I want to address an issue that hits home and has been in my family and in Karin’s family for years. The issue is alcohol. We all know someone that struggles in this area. I’m not here to say if you’re drinking alcohol, then you’re going to hell. But I am saying I’ve heard just about every excuse in the book defending one’s drinking problem. I’ve heard it from my own family members, and I’ve heard it from people I have counseled. I’m not here to condemn anyone. I’m here to encourage and see people set free, and experience the enhanced life God has for them.
1. I still have family members who go out to get “smashed,” but it’s okay because they say they have a designated driver. Good, I’m glad, it may save a life. Or they say, I’m a safe drinker because I drink at home so I don’t have to worry about being on the road. In other words, they are “safe drinkers”. But do you see what’s implied: they believe it’s okay to get drunk because they have a designated driver or they stay at home. Our culture has told us that drinking is an everyday recreational pleasure for us to enjoy. But I believe in all my heart that we should never get drunk. I don’t care where we’re at. Yes I’m glad that you’re a safe drinker if you’re going to drink and get drunk. But I want to see us all be obedient to the Scriptures and not get drunk at all. Instead, have an enhanced life through learning “self-control” which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that is available to us in our walk with Christ. God wants us to learn to have self control so that nothing controls us except the Holy Spirit.
2. Another popular excuse is,”I don’t really get drunk, I just have a couple drinks.” People who say this are often blinded to the truth that they do in fact get drunk. Maybe not “smashed” but I wouldn’t trust them to drive. It’s hard for a person who is becoming “under the influence” to recognize they are “tipsy” and therefore not safe to drive.
3. A third excuse is, “I use drinking to relax after a long stressful day at work.” Using alcohol as your “go to answer” for stress is never a good answer. You do it once, and eventually you do it often. Eventually it becomes a solution, not just an answer to a hard day at work, but used after a fight with one spouse or family member, or when your kids are getting on your nerves, etc.
4. Another Excuse is, “It doesn’t control me.” I truly believe that a person with a drinking problem doesn’t have the ability to determine if alcohol does or does not control them. But there are specific things you can do to determine if it does or does not.
– Ask your spouse, or somebody who’s around you a lot, if they think you have a drinking problem? Don’t ask your drinking buddy because I’ve never seen much good come from that.
– The second thing you can do is go 30 days without drinking any alcohol at all. See if you have self control or if it controls you.
Being a disciple of Jesus means denying yourself. It means being willing to give up anything that is hurting your relationship with the Lord. It means operating under the fruits of the Holy Spirit and not under the influence of something else. Self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit. My father-in-law was an alcoholic for much of his life. One day he quit. His doctor told him he had to quit due to a physical issue. That scared him so much that he went from drinking all the time to quitting cold turkey.
Find that one thing that is so important to you that you don’t want to lose it, so you quit. It could be your family, job, health, your faith, fear, or whatever helps motivate you. No you may not be able to go cold turkey but get the help you need and do it now. Write down all your excuses and rationalization and throw them away. Do the right thing. It will enhance your life, your family, your health, your mental state, and your faith. You don’t have to live with the guilt that Satan hovers over you. Pray that God makes the fruit of self-control real in your life. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Let him enhance his Beauty through you.
