Amen, in one akkoord we pray for breakthrough and cut of demonic adiection of drugs & alcohol through Your grace& Peace, we bow in thankfullness for Your wonder YahWeh , AleluYah
The bible mentions several times the importance of being sober-minded (néphó). The word néphó can refer to physical sobriety or sobriety of the mind. For me, those two things are one and the same. Getting high or drunk impairs a person's response time, judgment, mentality, spirit and temperament. Things are going to get increasingly worse as we live in the end times. Being fully alert and in control of one's body and mind is going to be important, especially if we want to do God's work :)
When I was at River Valley, people were drinking during my small group. They were also talking about going out and “getting crunk,” and the Bible says we should not talk about these things in Ephesians 5:12, “it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” We actually studied that verse that night and when I said we should not do this, I was accused of forcing my own convictions on others. The leader committed idolatry and spoke to me in an unloving fashion, even though he later realized the second one. The issue is that alcohol was not forbidden at River Valley events at the time. Maybe it is now.
I just watched Part 2 of this sermon ("Why I Abstain From Alcohol"), and it appears that at least people in positions of leadership or indtruction at River Valley are instructed to abstain. Do you mind my asking, what type of small group were you in at the time? Luckily, this has not been my experience in any small groups. I don't think the church would let any official small group leaders have fellowship in their name with that going on. Glad you spoke up. It can be hard to do, given the backlash we get from people who don't like feeling conviction.
@@sarahsaukerson3923 thank you for asking. It was a Bible study. It’s likely that bible study leader is not a high enough position for these rules to apply. This was 5 years ago and the rules at the time did not forbid alcohol from being served at church events. Substance church does forbid alcohol from being served at events.
@louislee7717 , I am not sure how the small group application process works through River Valley. But I think people can request to create their own small groups on the website. I don't know what the approval or rejection process is either. Thankfully, my small group is led by two very active church members. I don't doubt God had you in that small group as a messenger. I have had to test out different groups, as well, before I found a good fit :)
A lot of people would say that they take pot for medicinal purposes and it has less side effects than meds. But pharmakia should include all drugs, anti-depression/anxiety etc. point is you don't need a drug or pill but only Jesus. not saying to throw away your high blood pressure meds or anti psycotic drugs but ideally you should use your faith and get off them in the long run.
