{"id":10037,"date":"2024-04-17T10:36:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=10037"},"modified":"2024-04-17T10:36:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T14:36:02","slug":"john-piper-answers-whether-caffeine-can-be-harmful-to-a-christians-spiritual-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2024\/04\/john-piper-answers-whether-caffeine-can-be-harmful-to-a-christians-spiritual-life.html","title":{"rendered":"John Piper Answers Whether Caffeine Can Be Harmful to a Christian’s Spiritual Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Notable Bible teacher John Piper recently addressed the question of whether caffeinated drinks like energy drinks can have a negative influence on a Christian\u2019s spiritual life. In an episode of the \u201cAsk Pastor John\u201d podcast, a listener identified as Jos\u00e9 told Piper that caffeinated drinks were \u201ccontroversial in our youth group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9 asked, \u201cAs someone who likes them, I was wondering if there are any negative effects or reasons to not drink them. They help me focus and have energy during my work shift. I only drink one every two or three days, but I would like to have some spiritual insight in order that I might run this race without being slowed down.\u201d As part of his response, Piper focused on\u00a01 Corinthians 6:12\u201313,<\/a>\u00a0which reads: \u201c\u2018I have the right to do anything,\u2019 you say \u2014 but not everything is beneficial. \u2018I have the right to do anything\u2019 \u2014 but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, \u2018Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.\u2019 The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the body matters to God morally. And, in particular, food matters and sex matters. And so, the guidelines he gives matter,\u201d Piper said. He added that the question was \u201cpart of a much bigger issue,\u201d precisely a question about \u201cthe proper use of not just caffeine but other stimulants, medications.\u201d He said, \u201cAre energy drinks, or whatever I\u2019m taking, are they masking deeper problems that I\u2019m not dealing with because I\u2019m masking them, or are they helping me really address and be freed from the deeper problems that I may have?\u201d<\/p>\n

Piper continued, \u201cIf Jos\u00e9 or any of us is masking deeper problems with stimulants, then they\u2019re not being used as a gift from God for our good; they\u2019re being used as a flight from the truth and from the good that God wants to do deeper down.\u201d Piper went on to offer \u201cthree summary guidelines\u201d regarding the consumption of caffeinated drinks: \u201cAre they truly helpful?\u201d \u201cAre they dominating me, mastering me, and obscuring that Jesus is my real master?\u201d And \u201cAm I using them in love? Am I building others up? Am I seeking to build my own faith and the faith of others?\u201d<\/p>\n