Alcohol Within the Church (Ep. 85)

Is drinking alcohol beneficial or is it a stumbling block to the believer? In recent years, there’s been a greater acceptance of drinking within the church.
As we continue the “Elephant in the Room” series, I talk about this controversial topic and share my own experience.
I hope this episode encourages you to seek God’s wisdom on difficult issues.
Find resources mentioned and find additional episodes at cissiegrahamlyn...

[@tamielancaster7482]

Thank you for this message filled with scripture. We all have a story to tell. All I can say is I have never seen anything good come out of alcohol. It has been painful in my family, the Lord has healed those issues dating back to my grandfather, who was saved at a revival years ago in the 1950s at our church. I praise God it kept my own father who was saved at your grandfathers crusade in his teens, from drinking or having it in our home growing up. Please pray for my grown children (all christians), sisters and their children who all socially drink and sometimes heavily. I have lived with my alcoholic husband for 42 years, with his health causing him to stop the last two years. I know in my heart that God had heard my prayers over the years and has freed him. I still pray all the time that he will find the grace of Christ our savior to give him the peace and joy only Christ can give in this crazy world. Thank you for your prayers!

[@doramariazehr369]

Very well said. My dad used to drink when I was a child and my parents had a lot of arguments because he drank. One of my uncles died from drinking so much. I've seen the ugly consequences of drinking. Until today I still freeze when I hear people yelling at each other arguing. I came to the Lord in my late teens and I am more like your husband, very black and white when it comes to this topic. My husband grew up in a Christian home and there was no drinking in his immediate family. So neither one of drinks. When we got married he told me I never had to worry about alcohol or drinking in our home. I never have to worry about him ever coming home drunk or even with the ugly smell of alcohol or bear in his breath or with glassy eyes, or a red face. I am so grateful for that gift of peace he gives me. I appreciate how lovingly, without judgement, and backed up by scripture you presented your point. Thank you

[@craigkruger3989]

I have watched a podcast of yours once before and you are highly anointed. This message is so needed even in South African churches. May the Lord continue using you mightily. I love your calm nature. Be blessed

[@timmikep1978]

My kids did not like when my wife and I would have a casual drink, so my wife and I decided last year to just stop drinking, now my 15 year old tells us the drinking parties displayed on social media of parents and kids his age drinking! Listen, the pressure is there to encourage kids to drink! Thank you for this!

[@marionsforza6543]

My father died as a direct result of his alcoholism when I was 10. I was a black out drunk when Jesus saved me at the age of 22. For the past 46 yrs, by the grace of God, I have been empowered to live a sober life. But others drinking around me is a definite stumbling block that I avoid. I feel cheated by those who drink around me because they are offering, what I consider, something less than rhe best of themselves. And I hold a well founded concern for my offspring who may carry a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Thank you so much for challenging us all to give this prayerful consideration.

[@LetsDance-LessStress]

Thank you for this topic. The title of your podcast caught my attention "Fearless." God has been developing a Fear Ministry since 2018 after getting sober in 2013. I drank alcohol fine for 21 years, but when mid-life issues occurred, I started drinking to help me sleep, them to numb, then to die. When I got sober, I asked God why I drank like that and He showed me it was fear; that I was running from my fear. So I wanted to know 1) why we fear and 2) how to walk through fear so I can enjoy this precious gift called life. What has come out of that journey is a small book titled "F' Fear (Footsteps through Fear toward Freedom)." The F stands for the 5 steps I used to walk through fear. I am so thankful God did not let me die and I enjoy helping believers walk through fear and into their purpose. We know the enemy will use alcohol, fear, anything to keep us from our purpose. I would enjoy being a guest on your show and discussing further. God bless you, family and ministry!

[@Put-God-first-2024]

You’re doing a good job with these. Just found them. Keep the content coming. You have credibility with people

[@user-tb7en5hn2h]

Thanks so much for this very important message Cici. God blessings to you and your family and others. Amen

[@kaffepojke]

Cissie, I have just recently found your podcast / KZbin channel, and am an instant subscriber. I want to thank you so much for your honest approach to this and other elephant topics. I appreciate your words. I will pray for God to bless you and appreciate your prayers as well.

[@dianedurnell5629]

Like you said, God pulls everything together for Good for His Glory! Thank you for this podcast! It was informative and so timely. It seems that the Holy Spirit is impressing me on this topic this week! I appreciate your ministry and honesty and always your leading back to Scripture. ❤

[@aliciagarza3498]

Thank you for being real. I concur, it breaks my heart that the church full of souls that need Jesus won't be real. But God is still faithful

[@markstauffer7060]

Amen, Mrs Lynch!

[@teribartusek1125]

Let's be curious not furious, why are people drinking? What pressures are adding up and what changes need to take place in the life style and brain issues that need healing plans❤ put in place in our lives, The best defense is the Lords prayer!! Amen!! Thanks for sharing!!!❤

[@lorileeamedia5650]

Love that Scripture - “We are not to be stumbling block.”

[@lorileeamedia5650]

Romans 14:13. Thank you for this podcast

[@vickifg13]

I was just in Israel with my Pastor and some people from my church. We were having a nice dinner and some other people with us (not from our church) had some wine with there dinner. A person at my table said well scene they are having wine I am going to . She went on to say I just didn’t want to be the first to drink in front of our pastor. I thought then and I still do why be the person that drinks wine at all in front of our pastor?? Thank you so much for this podcast. To you and your sweet family.🙏💕💕

[@paulacarter7831]

Thank you! Praying that the church will be strong and address this as well.💗

[@patticlearwater9079]

Absolutely important topic to discuss! Interesting perspective!

[@gracecooper7683]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@SG19852]

Oh why should Christians not drink alcohol? I don’t understand this question. Here in Germany it is very usual Beere is a tradition for many hundreds of years ! I drinking for tenth of years and never was drunk.

[@rebeccascheidel5656]

This is hard a hard one, personally I don't drink because I did bad when I drink and I knew once I was saved no more alcohol. This is me personally.

[@user-rm3mf8wf3m]

Did Billy Graham drink alcohol?

[@HeremiSendmi]

Former bartender/alcoholic here, delivered by the power of Jesus for over 30 years. At 68, I may have a quarter of a glass of wine when by myself during times of heavy stress, BUT. Jesus is my source of comfort, not alcohol. If we indulge around a weaker brethren, (or children) our "freedom" may have negative undertones for them because it is addictive. I introduced my sister to cocaine when we were young - giggling and experimenting. She went on to become a life-long addict of other drugs while I never did. It changed her life drastically, and I bear the guilt for not discerning that SHE would not have the same personality that I did to escape it. Now, 3 out of 4 of her kids are addicts. She came to love Jesus before she died, but her body was wrecked. Alcohol has ruined so many millions of lives historically, is a gateway drug and carries demons in it, so why use your liberty casually? It causes sorrow more than good, so hold it like a poisonous viper or better yet, avoid all appearances of evil by denying the flesh as unto your Lord. Am I a hypocrite because I use it once every few months? If you do as I do, I'm okay with that, but not in front of others who may be weaker. Walk in love.

[@kimmcdaniel8933]

I personally do not care to drink. However, I have spent time investigating, is drinking a sin or not. It seems to only be a sin according to which denomination you belong to. To the Presbyterians it is ok to drink but to not abuse alcohol. I find that there are few alcoholics among the Presbyterians. I know many alcoholics in the SBC and charismatic church. Alcohol doesn't seem to be the real issue. It seems to be the underlying reasons as to why folks drink that is the real issue. Many folks drink to self- medicate. We treat alcohol the same as fentanyl, as if having a drink will automatically cause addiction. If people are worried about folks acting out while drinking, folks will act out whether alcohol involved or not. It is the law that provokes people to sin. I personally decided to be an example of not drinking and save my opinions. I think in time all people will realize that even one glass of wine a day is not good for their health, just like cigarettes. We should be more concerned with why people self- medicate than having a beer or a glass of wine.

[@chrisjames1672]

Is it beneficial? I feel was a loaded gun. I’m not defending to drink or not so there’s not slant on it. I do not use alcohol because of personal convictions. Now you say beneficial? Well let’s look at the elite Christian’s living in mansions with jets and golf coarses etc… how is that beneficial when there very people of the congregation struggle to pay bills, survive , get food or gas, pay rent, put their kids through schools?? How is that beneficial? Preachers with extravagant salaries ? How is watching certain movies or listening to certain music beneficial? Supporting sports teams beneficial ? Buying certain clothes beneficial? If your going to look at alcohol in a Christian lifestyle definitely address other areas rarely mentioned.