Matthew 11:19 (Contemporary English Version)
19 But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, “That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.
jesus was, as we see here, accused of being a drunkard, because he hung around with “the wrong crowd” and drank (gasp!) with them.
don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong for doing so.
but, what is permissible is not always what’s best.
i have found that i grow the most when i am involved in ministry.
when i am out there giving of myself, i find that i *need* all god can give me, from his word and from his spirit, and then i grow.
i suggest you find some way to serve, and fast.
seek god’s kingdom, both in your life, and in the lives of your friends: love the heck out of them. you don’t need to pretend to be perfect — faith is messy.
but start studying the sermon on the mount, and put those words into practice, and find a place to practice it.
iow: seek god’s kingdom *first*
the spirit, when you are in a growth posture will take care of helping you flee temptation.
i promise.