I am going to be so real with y’all about this topic. Within Christianity alcohol is an extremely controversial topic and I am not here to tell what is correct and what because I am not a theologian. But what I am here to do is share my experience and thoughts that will hopefully help someone reading this to know that you’re not a “bad Christian” just because you go out or have a drink every now and then. One thing that really bugs me sometimes is the judgement that some Christians receive from others because they choose to drink alcohol. It is important to remember that all sin is equal, sin is sin period, point blank, end of story. One sin is not greater than the other. This is a topic that can actually drive many people away from the church because they feel so shamed by its members. So let me just make something clear, it's ok to consume alcohol as a Christian and it’s ok to go out, but it becomes a problem when you abuse it. Y’all can hate me for saying this but Jesus literally turned water into wine… why would that have been one of the miracles he performed if it was a bad thing? It’s not. Alcohol is not a bad thing but it can turn into something bad when you abuse it or use it in place of God.
Alcohol was made by God, there are multiple verses in the Bible where it talks about drinking wine (John 2:1-11). I believe that this is a perfect example of how the enemy tries to turn something good into something evil. He truly does come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). As I said earlier alcohol was made by God to be consumed in moderation, but the enemy has taken this and tried to use it for his advantage. It is important to be aware of these things and know that the enemy only has your worst interest at heart while Jesus has your best interest. We often believe that if we’re drunk we’ll feel better or that we need to use it as “liquid courage” but this is where the enemy has us so fooled. God made it as something to be enjoyed, not as a crutch. It’s important to know your limits and don’t push them.
The hill I will die on and the main points I want to make are, you can still be a Christian and go to the bar. You can still be a Christian and have a glass of alcohol. You can still be a Christian and go to a frat party. You can still be a Christian and have a wine night. You can still do all of these things and be a Christian, consuming alcohol isn’t a sin, but as I’ve said when you abuse it that’s where you’re in the wrong. I’m so tired of Christians condemning one another for going out with their friends or having a glass of wine. Just because someone is at a bar doesn’t mean they’re blacked out. People can go to bars, have a beverage, and not be drunk. I have actually had some of the best times at the bar with my friends while being fully sober. This may come as a shock for some but I have talked to so many people about Jesus while at the bar just in casual conversation. We can’t forget that Jesus went and sat with the sinners. You may think the bar scene is a dark and evil place, which yes it very much can be but that just means your light is going to shine very bright there. You get the opportunity to show others Jesus and his love wherever you are.
It pains me to say this but, I am far from perfect. I slipped up a time or two and had a bad night… (just ask me about my infamous Quacks night it was #embarrassing to say the least. But please don’t ask me because I hate reliving it.). So I’ll own that because I know I messed up. If we’re being honest, going to a “party school” or any college can be extremely challenging when you are trying to walk with Jesus. There seems to be an endless amount of distractions everywhere you look. If there is one thing about Ole Miss it's that we definitely have never lost a party (and I stand by that). It can be hard to find anything to do besides going out in your little college town (Oxford I love you and you are adorbs no hate here) and it can feel like that’s the only way you’ll make friends or meet a cute guy is if you’re out drinking every weekend. Don’t get me wrong I’m a MAJOR house music fan, and I love a good glass of Lamarca and getting dinner and drinks and going out to be with my friends. But what I don’t love is waking up the next morning feeling hungover and not remembering what happened the night before and having hangxiety. But let’s be soooooo real for a second, to make friends you don’t have to be a bar rat and you're probably not going to meet your future husband in a bar or at a frat party. And yes, getting glam and going out with friends can be a great way to get to know them but it’s not going to provide the deep long lasting friendships that we need. Going out is not a bad thing but how you act while out or the choices are what matters.
So to conclude, you’re not a “bad Christian” just because you drink alcohol. If anyone ever tells you that or implies it, please ignore them because that so stupid to say. If you’ve messed up, it's okay, learn from your mistakes. You don’t have to be feral at the bar to make friends or keep them. You can go out and socialize and have a drink or two, but what you can’t do is abuse it. You can’t use alcohol as a way to feel better or think that you’ll find joy in going out. You have to remember that true joy is only found in a relationship with Jesus and knowing that you are truly and fully loved by him. And please do not take this as a guide to drinking the Christian way or anything like that. And I’m definitely not encouraging anyone to go blackout. This is simply my experience and what I have learned from it and by sharing I hope it helps someone who is struggling going to a “party school” while being a Christian and that its ok to go to a bar and have a drink. So can we please stop judging and shaming other Christians who choose to go out or have a glass of wine because that’s just rude and like I said before all sin is equal so think twice before shaming someone. On that note… CHEERS!!