How Do You Like Your Coffee?

Picture this…it’s cold outside and you’re sitting in front of a fireplace, wrapped in a cozy blanket, a warm cup of coffee in one hand, and a good book in the other. Not your style? Ok, what about this…it’s a hot summer day and you just need a nice sweet, but refreshing treat. Maybe an iced coffee or a delicious caramel frappe! Whatever your preference, you still want coffee. It’s what’s added to it that changes the drink. On that note, let’s see what kind of life lessons we can learn from a cup of coffee…

1. The Frappe: “A drink served with ice or frozen to a slushy consistency.”

(New Oxford American Dictionary)

Are you “frozen” in your walk with God? The Bible tells us it is important for us to grow, so we can stand firm for the Bible and defend the Truth.

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

2 Peter 3:17,18 NKJV

We must become “full of age” so we can handle the spiritual food being fed to us.

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are full of age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Hebrews 5:13,14 NKJV

So, what does “The Frappe” teach us? Don’t freeze in your walk with Christ. Always be willing to learn more about the Bible. Growth is important to our salvation!

2. The Cappuccino: “Coffee made with milk that has been frothed up with pressurized steam.”

(New Oxford American Dictionary)

Ah, the Cappuccino. Pressure does good things to coffee, but it’s not always good for humans. Peer pressure is all around us, even as adults. We want people to like us, so sometimes, we give in to the temptations the devil throws at us every day. What is a way we can avoid this? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul writes,

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ ”

1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

The friends we choose affect our future. Friends rub off on you and if we choose bad ones, they may influence us to take part in sinful things. When under pressure and faced with a choice between right and wrong, remember the words of Luke in Acts 5:29,

“We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Acts 5:29 NKJV

3. The Iced Coffee: “Chilled coffee, typically sweetened or flavored and served over ice.”

(New Oxford American Dictionary)

One of my favorite ways to drink coffee is iced. Put your favorite creamer in there, maybe some sweetened condensed milk, or a flavored syrup to make the perfect iced coffee. These sugary substances weaken the bitter flavor, making it more enjoyable and easier to drink. Maybe though, when considering our spiritual lives, we should think of things a little differently. There are people in the world that “put too much sugar in their coffee”, meaning, they weaken the reality of hell. Hell is a real place and not one I want to go to. We may not often think of this, but teaching others about hell is important! We have an obligation to let others know about the One that can save them from this terrible place.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’ ”

Mark 16:15,16 NKJV

Jesus is speaking to His apostles here, but this also applies to us today. We must make sure others know the reality of hell and the goodness of God! He is willing to save you and wants you to be saved. We just have to take action. 

4. The Black Coffee: “Coffee with nothing added – no cream, no milk, no sweetener.”

(webmd.com-health benefits of black coffee)

Though it may not be the perfect cup of coffee to drink physically, it is the perfect cup of coffee spiritually speaking…the Word of God that hasn’t been tainted. What a wonderful thing to know that we have a pure copy of God’s Word. It’s comforting that He tells us exactly what we need to know. It doesn’t need anything added to it to make it better. How could man, who God created, insert something to “enhance the flavor” of what God inspired? He can’t. 

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Proverbs 30:5,6 NKJV

The pure word of God is sharper than any sword (Hebrews 4:12). It is the greatest weapon that we have to fight against Satan’s attacks. 

There are many different choices on “the menu”. Which one will you choose?

Works Cited:

WebMD Editorial Contributors. “Health Benefits of Black Coffee.” Nourish by WebMD, 14 December 2022, https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-black-coffee. Accessed 6 August 2023.