On Sunday, the 29th of December, 2024, I went for a hangout/picnic with a few friends (TBG), and on my way back home, I was walking with one of the friends, and we were conversing. While we were talking and walking, I remember we passed the front of a wine shop (called Wyn Shop, I think). They were closing, and this guy comes out shouting out to another guy across from him (on the other side of the road) and says something along the lines of, "Guy, how you go leave better wine/alcohol wey dey shop go dey drink the one wey dey rough?" (These were not his exact words, but you get what I mean). The other guy went to buy all these sachet alcoholic drinks or something. And to be honest, I didn't think much of it. I think I even laughed at it in my heart.
But the next day, being Monday the 30th, the Holy Spirit reminded me of that scenario and pointed out to me, how that is what a lot of us do. We leave the original and go looking for other alternatives maybe because of price but to be fair, it’s better to pay the price for the original now than to pay for the damage caused by the alternatives. (This is not about wine anymore. Selah.)
Jesus is the real deal. Nothing else can or ever will satisfy you like Jesus. Nothing. He loves you and paid the price for you to have a relationship with Him. With God. Don’t let the devil sell the lie that something else can fill the void you feel in your heart - only Jesus can fill that void and unless you allow Him, you’ll keep trying everything else and if care is not taken damage/hurt yourself. It’s possible you’ve tried everything else but Jesus, try Him and watch Him transform your life and make you better.
A lot of people hold different opinions about whether it’s okay to drink, whether or not it’s a sin and all, and even go as far as justifying it by saying that the Bible doesn’t outrightly say it’s a sin. However, several portions of scripture, especially Proverbs, talk about the downsides of getting involved with it.
Anyways, the Bible says in Ephesians 5:18, "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Ghost." (I'll recommend checking out the passage in other versions, like NLT, MSG, etc.). A particular version says, "Instead be filled with the Holy Ghost," meaning it's a better alternative (option) to be filled with the Holy Spirit—it's a more productive choice.
As I bring this letter to a close, if you still feel confused about whether or not it’s okay to drink alcohol, I’ll leave you with this verse of scripture from the Amplified Classic Version: (P.S.: Feel free to check it out in other versions.)
23 All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
1 Corinthians 10:23 [AMPC]
Don’t forget, Jesus is the only original. Every other thing is an alternative and cannot be compared. Go for the original.
Till next time, keep being amazing, and remember that I’m rooting for you.
Also, feel free to reach out if you need to talk, and don’t forget to share if this blessed you.
Yours sincerely,
Oba Dafidi.