How can a person be set free from strong drink?

The question refers to a person who has become a slave of strong drink. Somebody who persistently indulges in the use of strong intoxicating liquor, in spite of the sad consequences regarding his health, his family and his job, is a slave of intoxicating liquor and cannot free himself. Such a person is called an alcoholic and certainly needs help. But he can only be helped when he himself wants to be helped. As long as a person denies that strong liquor is his boss, he cannot be helped to abstain from it. That is why we must not try to force him to stop drinking. He may promise not to drink any more, but he is unable to keep his promises.

If someone wants to help him, he/she must win his confidence by proving that he/she is a real friend who wants to help. Never condemn him or speak angry words. Listen patiently to everything the alcoholic has to say about his problems, even if you know that some may be untrue. Speak gently about the wonderful love of Jesus who is stronger than the power of liquor. Try and convince him that Jesus can save him from the power of liquor and that he must give himself to Jesus, with all his problems. If Jesus sets him free he will be free indeed.

Of course, the Lord sometimes makes use of other people to help such a person. Sometimes it is imperative that an alcoholic goes to a clinic where he can be medically assisted, so that he can cope with temptations in the future. If he wants to be assisted, his minister or other Christians may be able to help him to go.

An alcoholic can only be set free by the saving power of the Lord.

Suitable Bible texts are: Psalm 27:14; 34:7; 40:17; 46:2; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4-5; Isaiah 5:11; 26:4; 40:31; 42:10; John 8:34-36; Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:18.