The conversation in the pastor’s... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, … nor drunkards … will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10

The conversation in the pastor’s house was over. They had talked about a range of questions concerning the Bible. The pastor accompanied his visitor to the door. There he said to him, “But we haven’t talked about the problems you have with alcohol.” The man looked uncertainly at the floor. That was indeed his biggest problem, and everything else they had talked about for an hour was secondary.

Alcoholism is a core problem for many people: not only for the simple, uneducated, poor people, but equally for the clever, respected and high-ranking people. All too many are bound by this chain that promises short-lived pleasure or anaesthesia and oblivion – but ultimately leads only to addiction. The excessive consumption of alcohol is truly a scourge for mankind!

To become free from this addiction, one must be honest before oneself and before God. This is often not easy for those affected, because they want to convince themselves that they are not in such a bad way. However, effective medical or pastoral counselling begins with the admission that overcoming the addiction is no longer possible without outside help. True insight is the first step towards healing.

It is even better when addicts, in addition to seeking the necessary help from people, also seek the help of the Lord Jesus who can free people from detrimental bonds and sins. He first wants to make us aware of all our unrighteousness before God then deliver us from it. He has the power to do this because He is the Son of God. And it is true what He said of Himself: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). This means to be free from the power of sin, which is a deviation from God’s standard that only causes misery to others and plunges a person into misery itself.

Today’s reading: Hosea 13:1-16 · Proverbs 1:1-7