In 1983 the greater Mugisha family of the late Bishop Geresomu Mugisha witnessed a great transformation as the family was relieved from the arch enemy of alcoholism.
On some Sunday morning (1983-month un known), i (Magara 8 years) accompanied the late Bishop Mugisha to United Pentecostal Church, Kamukuzi (Mbarara town), a church that was built with mad and wattle but was a seat of transformation and miracles despite its humble church structure. The church was then located after the famous Ntare school, then Nifra Construction run by Mzee Rugunda a prominent dairy farmer and businessman in Mbarara. The church was led by its founder Bishop Rev Jasper Safari (Mzee Jasper) who passed on about two years ago. After Bishop Safari preached, he made an alter call, my father led me to the pulpit area to the mat where we knelt, were prayed for and accepted Jesus Christ as the lord and saviour of our lives; we became born again Christians. Bishop Mugisha then quit the stubborn alcohol spirit and curse.
The spirit of Alcohol could not be broken by anything else even the services of witchdoctors sought by my late mom (Pastor Joy Mugisha), but Jesus Christ crashed it!
Our family had been bedeviled by the spirit of alcoholism and some old people in Mbarara town remember very well how Bishop Mugisha had become a nuisance, losing businesses and having his family destroyed by drunkardness, squeezed to hopelessness and poverty.
Some family members thought, Bishop Mugisha had been bewitched to become a drunkard but we have a family history of drunkardness since two of my paternal uncles seriously suffered from drunkardness as well.
My sister and Pastor, Christine Bandeeba, some time back conducted a spiritual mapping research to uncover some spiritual strongholds that affect the Mugisha family and interestingly she discovered that our great, great grandfathers and their families used to make their own booze (in Rukiga/runyakore known as amarwa/rwarwa) and would fest on it with friends and relatives for days as one of their customs. We are Bakiga by tribe, Barundo by clan, our grand father was called Andrew Mukuru, and our great grand fathers are Ishaka and Zirubabeli. (Retired Bishop William and Untie Mable Ntwire can share details about our linage and customs).
Bakiga and alcoholism;
Most Bakiga families are accustomed to drinking local booze and booze was and is used as a thirsty quenching drink and also for festivals such as wedding and other parties. The other negative aspect of alcohol (rwarwa) is that after getting drunk most Bakiga who are known to be physically strong seldom get into ugly fights and some result into death.
Reasons why born-again Christians must discard alcohol and wine;
- Noah cursed his grandson Canaan after his son (Ham) saw and published his nakedness that occurred after feasting on alcohol and getting drunk. Canaan as a result become a servant of his brothers (read Gen. 9;18-29). In this scripture Noah virtually cursed his son Ham. Shem and Japheth fought hard to save face of this scandal by covering the father’s nakedness.
- Wine is a “Mocker”. This famous phrase comes from the Bible, especially Proverbs 20;1 in the Old testament it states; “Mocker” and a strong drink is a “brawler” warning that anyone deceived by alcohol lacks wisdom. The verse teaches that alcohol tricks you. It makes you feel brave and happy at first. Later it causes you to say and do foolish things that you would not do while sober. The second part of the Proverb calls strong drink a “brawler”. This means it easily leads to fights and aggression overall, the passage warns that relying on alcohol clouds your good judgment. Googling on this scripture, the writer said” thin of alcohol as a fake friend. When you are with this friend, you might do silly things you would never normally do.
- Apostle Paul teaches us in the Bible that Christians should not be drunk with alcohol rather with the Holy spirit (read Ephesians 5;18) and should be controlled and directed by the spirit of God.
- Apostle Paul, again teaches us that Christians leaders must not be given to wine or alcohol so that they remain sober to lead by example. (1 Timothy 3;8, I Timothy 3;16). Even the leaders in the world some are sober by not drinking and it helps them to lead and work well.
- Wine leads to poverty and embarrassment and should therefore be shunned (Proverbs 31;4).
- Wine is a viper, silent killer and a serious Christian should leave it (read proverbs 23;31, 32).
- Many churches in Uganda and Africa (Pentecostal) use grape juice instead to avoid alcohol issues, protect recovering addicts, and include everyone. (read Romans 14:21). What will you tell a sister/brother struggling to break from alcohol when you serve him with wine during Holy Communion?
In conclusion, grape juice and other available juices and water can be alternatives that can be used as a drink during Holy Communion to avoid wine and its troubles to Christians.
Besides the above raised issues with wine, Christians should lay aside all sin, unholy marriages and sexual immorality,etc (read Galatians 5;16-25). Let’s carry our cross daily and accept to give away our freedoms for the sake of Christ and salvation. Remember we have a crown awaiting us in heaven. There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.
Further reading; https://crosstheology.wordpress.com/75-scripture-warnings-against-drinking-of-alcohol/
“75 Scripture Warnings against drinking of Alcohol” https://crosstheology.wordpress.com/75-scripture-warnings-against-drinking-of-alcohol/
https://sharperiron.org/article/drinking-and-spiritual-leadership
Prayer of salvation;
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the cross for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. Right now, I turn from my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life and take control. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Prayer of deliverance from alcoholism and other bondage;
Dear God, I declare freedom from the spirit of alcoholism and from any other sins in Jesus’ name, I am free, from alcoholism and other bondages. in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
About the author;
The above opinion was written by Pastor Magara Darious, (also a student of California River of life University- Uganda campus).
