WHY
I CHOOSE
TO ABSTAIN FROM
ALCOHOL
ONE TEEN'S REASONS
The first and foremost reason I choose to
abstain from drinking alcohol is probably
different from the average person's reason-
ing. I cannot look back and remember a
definite point in time when I said to myself, "I
will never drink alcohol," but that has
certainly been my opinion on alcohol since I
was in the elementary school. Perhaps I made
that decision as I saw yet another marriage
of my father's end in divorce, partly due to
alcohol. Or perhaps it was when he would
lose his temper and call me things I knew
deep inside he did not mean. Maybe I
made this decision as I saw him spend a
great amount of money on alcohol, day
after day, week after week, month after
month, and year after year, but when
something was needed for my brother or
me, he always seemed to be broke. I am
not writing this to criticize my father but
rather to criticize the alcohol which has
destroyed him and to show why I, as a
teenager, have chosen to abstain from it for
the rest of my life.
Some children who grow up with an alco-
holic parent tend to follow the path of their
parents and become alcoholics them-
selves. I am thankful to God that this
situation has had the opposite effect on
me.I love my father very much. He is my dad,
but most of all my friend. My dad has said I
bring out the best in him, and I hope that is
true. But my dad has another friend which I
have grown to hate. My dad loves this
friend and puts him above everyone else.This friend means more to him than family,
friends, and happiness. Even though this
friend has helped him many times to make
bad decisions and is often the cause of his
losing control and hurting something or
someone, he has never forsaken this friend.
This friend is alcohol. Alcohol appears to be
a true friend, but in the end he will wreck
the life of every individual who depends
upon him.My second reason for choosing to abstain
from alcohol, but certainly not second in
importance, is the fact that I am a Christian.
The Bible clearly points out the conse-
quences of drinking alcohol. It also shows
how that "just-one-won't-hurt" attitude can
lead to a lifetime of regrets.Even before I became a Christian, I recog-
nized the permanent damage alcohol does
to the human body. It destroys brain and
liver, and slowly tears down various other
internal organs.
Not only does it aid in tearing down the
physical aspect of an individual but tears
down the mental as well. When an indi-
vidual is under the influence of alcohol, he is
not capable of making the best decision or
sometimes of even making a rational
decision. A majority of the time, divorces
and child abuse cases are a result of a
series of bad decisions made by an indi-
vidual under the influence of alcohol. Fatal
accidents caused by drunk driving are just
another example of the hazards of drinking.
Last, but definitely not least, I choose to
abstain from alcohol because I want my
children to be able to day, "My mother
never gave in to the temptation to drink
alcohol and I don't have to either."
My father has lived so as to show me how
alcohol can mess up a life. I want to live so
that my children can see how abstaining
from alcohol can benefit a life. My father
has shown me that alcohol can divide a
family. I want my children to see that a
family without alcohol is a close family.
There will be problems and conflict, but
they can be settled quicker and more
efficiently when the persons involved are in
total control of their body and mind.
I want to be true in my relationships with
others, not false. I want to be helpful, not
hurtful, and I want to leave memories in the
minds of others, not scars. Most of all, I do
not want my children to some day in the
future write an essay such as this on why
they should abstain from alcohol and use
me as the prime example. q
God's Word says -
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Proverbs 20:1
How To Escape This Trap 1. Those who use strong drink are the
servants of sin. "Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever com-
mitteth sin is the servant of sin." John 8:342. Sin's payoff is eternity in Hell. "For the
wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23a.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of
fire." Revelation 20:14a3. Sin's price has been paid. "...Christ died
for our sins..." I Corinthians 15:3b.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved." Romans 10:9
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed." John 8:36
Please write to us to let us know if after reading
this tract, you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour.Name __________________________ Age ___
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Tract No. 169 (N-6/94)
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