All or Nothing

To paraphrase G.K. Chesterton: To a Muslim there's no God but God.  Likewise abstainers need to remember that there is no satan but satan.


Chesterton made his comment in response to puritanism, the total and complete abstinence of anything that would 'bring pleasure'.  He was specifically referring to alcohol, tobacco, etc.  Those who subscribed to the puritan ideology of his time stressed that such things were evil; hence, if anyone imbibed or smoked that person committed sin.  On the other hand, Chesterton contrasted the puritanism of his day with paganism.  The practice of paganism involved the over indulgence of a thing, turning the thing into an idol.  These two extremes don't work.  According to Chesterton neither of them are right.  


The Apostle Paul in Romans 14 summed it up best.


12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably . Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died .16Let not then your good be evil spoken of :17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things where with one may edify another.20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth ,or is offended, or is made weak .22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.