IS IT A SIN FOR A CHRISTIAN TO DRINK ALCOHOL?
This much-needed article will consider wine, beer, spirit-drinks and alcoholism within a Christian and biblical context and lifestyle.....Be Prepared for surprises!
I once heard of a southern baptist minister in the United States being fired from his post after it was discovered that, '....He secretly indulged in alcoholism...' I was surprised about this because I had heard of this man and his work, so I asked a U.S.-based contact to get the facts; apparently, it was discovered that this man enjoyed a glass of beer with his Sunday lunch most Sundays (but not every Sunday), and this was "discovered" after the car of one of his church members broke down right outside his house, and the member was invited into his house to ring the local motor mechanic (motor fitter, as we Brits say). Apparently the sight of a glass of beer beside this man's dinner was sufficient to convict him of "alcoholism." This was soon corroborated by two ladies in the congregation who thought that they had detected the smell of beer on his breath on two or three occasions (over 5 years).
Do I need to say much more about such legalist judgmentalism being applied to a man who had (apparently) faithfully served this congregation for five years? I think not. We need to look at this subject of the use of alcohol in a Christian's life much more deeply.
The Old Testament Approach
It is an undeniable fact that many Christians of our day are woefully unknowledgable about the Old Testament. Many are surprised when told that the Old Testament is almost wholly positive about wine and 'strong drink' (although obviously there are warnings and a few lamentable examples of the drunkenness which is to be avoided).
A typical approach is in Deuteronomy 7:13 where the 'blessings' which the Lord would grant Israel, if they were obedient, included many children, wonderful crops and herds and....'new wine and oil' In fact, the Israelites were encouraged to produce wine as a symbol of the blessings of God. When keeping the autumn-time Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites were especially commanded to behave joyfully:
'You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your WINEPRESS' (Deuteronomy 19:13, NKJV, my emphasis)
After being given instructions to save their tithe carefully for their feasts, the Israelites were told:
'Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink ('strong drink' KJV), or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice' (Deuteronomy 14:26, NIV)
I am glad that the NIV has here restored the sense of the original Hebrew from the KJV (which the NKJV had lost), 'strong drink', or, 'fermented drink' (Hebrew: 'shekar': 'intensely alcoholic drink'; Hebrew word number 7941 in Strongs) was a spirit drink probably something like Rum or Whisky and almost certainly made from dates; it was extremely strong! The Israelites were encouraged to drink wine or 'strong drink' when they feasted before the Lord (this is in complete contrast to a remark recently made to me by another Christian in which he stated that it is only acceptable to drink alcohol for 'medicinal purposes' but never for enjoyment!)
Of course, wine was also involved in the 'drink offerings' at the tabernacle! (Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 23:13).
Judges 9:13 speaks of wine as that which '...Cheers both God and men...'
Wine continues to be symbolic of great blessings in Isaiah:
'And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wine on the lees' (Isaiah 25:6)
But Was This Real Wine?
Some have claimed that the wine of the Old and New Testaments was simply grape juice. Unfortunately their argument does not stand up even under the mildest scutiny! Good Hebrew wine and 'Strong Drink' (a potent drink probably made from dates) were quite noted. Grapes would not 'keep' unless they were turned into wine. Again, why would books like Proverbs often warn about the abuse of alcohol and drunkeness if this was only grape juice? The last quoted Scripture also shows that this was not grape juice, for 'lees' is the sediment produced by a fermenting liquid! Others have 'split hairs' in claiming that the Hebrew word used for 'new wine' refers to grape juice, but they now appear to have conclusively lost the argument because:
1. Often that particular word is certainly used of fermented wine, as in Genesis 27:28, Hosea 4:11 and Micah 6:15
2. The Ugaritic parallel term was certainly used of real wine.
3. The Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into Greek) equivalent words always refer to fermented wine.
4. The Mishna provides no evidence that the Hebrews ever used unfermented wine.
The New Testament
While still occasionly warning of drunkeness, the New Testament continues the Old Testament approach of being entirely positive towards the use of wine.
While many "religious" type Christians are continually embarrassed that Jesus chose to turn water into wine at the wedding of Cana, there is no doubt that this wine was normal alcoholic wine (Greek: 'oinos', Greek word number 3631 in Strongs).
Quite obviously, Jesus did not think it wrong to enjoy drinking wine at a wedding, yet I once heard a very sincere (but somewhat foolish) old lady say that she intended scolding Jesus about turning water into wine when she got to Heaven!
Jesus is also plainly quite unembarrassed about using the metaphor of putting 'new wine into new wineskins' In Luke 5:37-39 (by the way this was clearly a reference to real, alcoholic wine which can burst weak containers!).
In fact, the word 'wine' occurs 37 times in the New Testament and is only used negatively (in association with drunkeness and excess) on 7 occasions!
I also once heard somebody say, 'We can be sure that Jesus never touched a drop of alcohol!' - is that really so? But wine, sometimes with a little water added, was as much part of normal life in the world which Jesus inhabited as tea and coffee are in Britain and America today. But if a few still feel that the lips of Jesus were surely 'unsullied' by wine, Luke 7:33 must come as a shock to them:
'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man has come EATING AND DRINKING, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a WINEBIBBER, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"' (Luke 7:33, NKJV, my emphasis)
I think this removes any doubt: Jesus plainly occasionally enjoyed a glass of wine!
But there is even more than this: The New Testament also clearly teaches that real wine should be used in communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), even though thousands of modern Christians seem to think that they know better and will use almost anything rather than real wine. For instance, here in the UK I have even heard of cases where 'Ribena' is used for communion - Yuk!! (Ribena is a very sweet, syrupy blackcurrant drink). Whilst there is probably nothing wrong with using pure red grape juice, if Jesus has instructed the use of wine why do we not use it? Of course, a few do use real wine but a majority seem to use so-called 'communion wine' (which, a lot of the time, is not real wine at all).
The History of Alcohol in the Church
The early Christians always used wine following the biblical example. This probably continued for hundreds of years, until the rise of the Puritans in England; they observed the misuse of wine and alcohol and started to wonder whether Christians should ever take alcoholic beverages, nevertheless many Christians undoubtedly continued to drink alcohol, though strictly in moderation. A more organized anti-alcohol stance emerged with John Wesley in the 18th century and the new rigorist Methodism which followed Wesley started to outlaw the use of alcohol among Methodists. This influence spread to most fundamentalist chapel-goers, whether Methodist or Baptist. The Salvation Army (which emerged from Methodism) was probably the most anti-alcohol Christian movement of all. William Booth was only too happy to re-affirm Methodism's drinking ban for members when he observed - at first hand - the dreadful suffering involved in much of the alcoholism of London's infamous East End. Apparently Booth completely lost sight of the fact that all of God's blessings to Mankind (food, prosperity, sexual love etc) can be abused where sinful lifestyles predominate, and he had at his fingertips a book, the Holy Bible, which while certainly warning against drunkeness, continually paints wine in a very positive color.
But a huge area of Christendom has been largely unaffected by this anti-alcohol movement; Roman Catholicism, Episcopalianism and Greek and Eastern Orthodoxy mostly continue to see the moderate enjoyment of alcohol as a very positive thing. I may also say that perhaps a majority of modern British and European evangelicals see the moderate use of wine as a blessing.
Christian Ministers and the 'Nazarite' Argument
Some say that if those under the Nazarite vow were not allowed to drink alcohol since they were set apart for the Lord, neither should Christian Ministers in our day. How about this argument?
The first thing to say is that since we only read of 3 or 4 Nazarites throughout the entire Holy Bible, it is difficult to draw any hard and fast rules about them. Certainly they were barred from taking alcoholic drinks as John the Baptist was (Luke 1:15), but Nazarites were apparently directly appointed by God. It is also true to say that the Levites were to ensure that they were never intoxicated when carrying out their duties under the Old Covenant.
But quite plainly Jesus did not apply the Nazarite code to Himself and He did drink (as we have seen).
But we don't need to be in the dark about this, or wonder whether the Nazarite 'no-drink' rule should apply to Christian ministers since the apostle Paul directly discusses the behavioural standards of ministers in the New Testament. Does Paul say there should be an outright alcoholic drinks ban for elders and deacons?
1 Timothy 3:1-13 gives us the answer, especially verses 3 and 8: both elders and deacons must not be 'given to much wine' (the Greek means 'not addicted' ), this means no alcohol ban, but only drink in moderation (which applies to all Christians!) We can corroborate that there was no alcohol ban for ministers, of course not only because taking communion required the taking of a tiny amount of wine, but because Paul clearly tells Timothy the evangelist that he should drink a little wine to help his stomach problems:
'No longer drink only water, but use a little wine ('oinos': alcoholic wine, my insert) for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities' (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV)
A Few Occasions When a Christian Should NEVER Drink Alcohol
1. We started this little study with the example of a Christian pastor who drank beer on Sundays. Whilst I think that this man was subsequently very unfairly treated, I must say that I think it unwise for a minister to drink beer on this day. Why? Because beer can be quickly detected on one's breath and, as the apostle Paul shows us, we must consider the conscience of Christians of weaker understanding! As we have seen, from a biblical point of view there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking a glass of beer, but if somebody in the congregation, of perhaps weaker understanding, sincerely believes that the minister is sinful in drinking beer, that person's conscience is being seriously affected. We must think about these things! For this reason I think it unwise for any church-going Christian to drink beer on a Sunday (I see no harm in a single glass of wine).
2. Christians SHOULD NOT drink and drive and several countries (including the UK) have definite laws about this which Christians should comply with.
3. If a Christian is mixing with unbelievers and he/she denotes a tendency for them to drink too much, the Christian should take the lead in encouraging moderation. If this fails, the Christian should surely leave any such meeting or gathering.
4. Young people are always in danger of over-drinking and it is my considered opinion that Christians should NEVER encourage younger people to drink alcohol.
5. If a Christian has previously had a problem with heavy or addictive drinking he or she should completely avoid it.
CONCLUSION
We have plainly seen that the Old Testament portrays wine and strong drink as blessings which God has granted to Mankind, not as a curse. But all of God's blessings can be misused and abused. Good food is a wonderful blessing, but do we say to people, 'It is better not to eat because of the danger of gluttony'? Do we say to young couples on their wedding day, 'It is better not to have sexual relations because sexual lust has ruined many a life'? Do we ever say, 'It is better not to make money because riches and prosperity have destroyed lives'?
For the same reasons, Christians should encourage responsible drinking, rather than tell people that they should not drink at all, this goes way beyond any mandate we have from God.
COUNTERPOINT:
The question of using wine in communion is without question scriptural. To teach that communion wine is sinful is wrong. To use grape juice instead is acceptable though there is no biblical example. To say that wine users are legalistic is like saying baptism the biblical formula way is also legalistic. Communion is a "SACRAMENT." And should be performed as biblical as possible. To teach otherwise is heretical. A heretic is a heretic is a heretic. So when those who label wine in communion as wrong and or sinful, are like the pharisees who teach heretical doctrines of men.
note: recent research shows red wine has many healthy benefits http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/4-health-benefits-of-red-wine.html
Do I need to say much more about such legalist judgmentalism being applied to a man who had (apparently) faithfully served this congregation for five years? I think not. We need to look at this subject of the use of alcohol in a Christian's life much more deeply.
The Old Testament Approach
It is an undeniable fact that many Christians of our day are woefully unknowledgable about the Old Testament. Many are surprised when told that the Old Testament is almost wholly positive about wine and 'strong drink' (although obviously there are warnings and a few lamentable examples of the drunkenness which is to be avoided).
A typical approach is in Deuteronomy 7:13 where the 'blessings' which the Lord would grant Israel, if they were obedient, included many children, wonderful crops and herds and....'new wine and oil' In fact, the Israelites were encouraged to produce wine as a symbol of the blessings of God. When keeping the autumn-time Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites were especially commanded to behave joyfully:
'You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your WINEPRESS' (Deuteronomy 19:13, NKJV, my emphasis)
After being given instructions to save their tithe carefully for their feasts, the Israelites were told:
'Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink ('strong drink' KJV), or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice' (Deuteronomy 14:26, NIV)
I am glad that the NIV has here restored the sense of the original Hebrew from the KJV (which the NKJV had lost), 'strong drink', or, 'fermented drink' (Hebrew: 'shekar': 'intensely alcoholic drink'; Hebrew word number 7941 in Strongs) was a spirit drink probably something like Rum or Whisky and almost certainly made from dates; it was extremely strong! The Israelites were encouraged to drink wine or 'strong drink' when they feasted before the Lord (this is in complete contrast to a remark recently made to me by another Christian in which he stated that it is only acceptable to drink alcohol for 'medicinal purposes' but never for enjoyment!)
Of course, wine was also involved in the 'drink offerings' at the tabernacle! (Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 23:13).
Judges 9:13 speaks of wine as that which '...Cheers both God and men...'
Wine continues to be symbolic of great blessings in Isaiah:
'And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wine on the lees' (Isaiah 25:6)
But Was This Real Wine?
Some have claimed that the wine of the Old and New Testaments was simply grape juice. Unfortunately their argument does not stand up even under the mildest scutiny! Good Hebrew wine and 'Strong Drink' (a potent drink probably made from dates) were quite noted. Grapes would not 'keep' unless they were turned into wine. Again, why would books like Proverbs often warn about the abuse of alcohol and drunkeness if this was only grape juice? The last quoted Scripture also shows that this was not grape juice, for 'lees' is the sediment produced by a fermenting liquid! Others have 'split hairs' in claiming that the Hebrew word used for 'new wine' refers to grape juice, but they now appear to have conclusively lost the argument because:
1. Often that particular word is certainly used of fermented wine, as in Genesis 27:28, Hosea 4:11 and Micah 6:15
2. The Ugaritic parallel term was certainly used of real wine.
3. The Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into Greek) equivalent words always refer to fermented wine.
4. The Mishna provides no evidence that the Hebrews ever used unfermented wine.
The New Testament
While still occasionly warning of drunkeness, the New Testament continues the Old Testament approach of being entirely positive towards the use of wine.
While many "religious" type Christians are continually embarrassed that Jesus chose to turn water into wine at the wedding of Cana, there is no doubt that this wine was normal alcoholic wine (Greek: 'oinos', Greek word number 3631 in Strongs).
Quite obviously, Jesus did not think it wrong to enjoy drinking wine at a wedding, yet I once heard a very sincere (but somewhat foolish) old lady say that she intended scolding Jesus about turning water into wine when she got to Heaven!
Jesus is also plainly quite unembarrassed about using the metaphor of putting 'new wine into new wineskins' In Luke 5:37-39 (by the way this was clearly a reference to real, alcoholic wine which can burst weak containers!).
In fact, the word 'wine' occurs 37 times in the New Testament and is only used negatively (in association with drunkeness and excess) on 7 occasions!
I also once heard somebody say, 'We can be sure that Jesus never touched a drop of alcohol!' - is that really so? But wine, sometimes with a little water added, was as much part of normal life in the world which Jesus inhabited as tea and coffee are in Britain and America today. But if a few still feel that the lips of Jesus were surely 'unsullied' by wine, Luke 7:33 must come as a shock to them:
'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man has come EATING AND DRINKING, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a WINEBIBBER, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"' (Luke 7:33, NKJV, my emphasis)
I think this removes any doubt: Jesus plainly occasionally enjoyed a glass of wine!
But there is even more than this: The New Testament also clearly teaches that real wine should be used in communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), even though thousands of modern Christians seem to think that they know better and will use almost anything rather than real wine. For instance, here in the UK I have even heard of cases where 'Ribena' is used for communion - Yuk!! (Ribena is a very sweet, syrupy blackcurrant drink). Whilst there is probably nothing wrong with using pure red grape juice, if Jesus has instructed the use of wine why do we not use it? Of course, a few do use real wine but a majority seem to use so-called 'communion wine' (which, a lot of the time, is not real wine at all).
The History of Alcohol in the Church
The early Christians always used wine following the biblical example. This probably continued for hundreds of years, until the rise of the Puritans in England; they observed the misuse of wine and alcohol and started to wonder whether Christians should ever take alcoholic beverages, nevertheless many Christians undoubtedly continued to drink alcohol, though strictly in moderation. A more organized anti-alcohol stance emerged with John Wesley in the 18th century and the new rigorist Methodism which followed Wesley started to outlaw the use of alcohol among Methodists. This influence spread to most fundamentalist chapel-goers, whether Methodist or Baptist. The Salvation Army (which emerged from Methodism) was probably the most anti-alcohol Christian movement of all. William Booth was only too happy to re-affirm Methodism's drinking ban for members when he observed - at first hand - the dreadful suffering involved in much of the alcoholism of London's infamous East End. Apparently Booth completely lost sight of the fact that all of God's blessings to Mankind (food, prosperity, sexual love etc) can be abused where sinful lifestyles predominate, and he had at his fingertips a book, the Holy Bible, which while certainly warning against drunkeness, continually paints wine in a very positive color.
But a huge area of Christendom has been largely unaffected by this anti-alcohol movement; Roman Catholicism, Episcopalianism and Greek and Eastern Orthodoxy mostly continue to see the moderate enjoyment of alcohol as a very positive thing. I may also say that perhaps a majority of modern British and European evangelicals see the moderate use of wine as a blessing.
Christian Ministers and the 'Nazarite' Argument
Some say that if those under the Nazarite vow were not allowed to drink alcohol since they were set apart for the Lord, neither should Christian Ministers in our day. How about this argument?
The first thing to say is that since we only read of 3 or 4 Nazarites throughout the entire Holy Bible, it is difficult to draw any hard and fast rules about them. Certainly they were barred from taking alcoholic drinks as John the Baptist was (Luke 1:15), but Nazarites were apparently directly appointed by God. It is also true to say that the Levites were to ensure that they were never intoxicated when carrying out their duties under the Old Covenant.
But quite plainly Jesus did not apply the Nazarite code to Himself and He did drink (as we have seen).
But we don't need to be in the dark about this, or wonder whether the Nazarite 'no-drink' rule should apply to Christian ministers since the apostle Paul directly discusses the behavioural standards of ministers in the New Testament. Does Paul say there should be an outright alcoholic drinks ban for elders and deacons?
1 Timothy 3:1-13 gives us the answer, especially verses 3 and 8: both elders and deacons must not be 'given to much wine' (the Greek means 'not addicted' ), this means no alcohol ban, but only drink in moderation (which applies to all Christians!) We can corroborate that there was no alcohol ban for ministers, of course not only because taking communion required the taking of a tiny amount of wine, but because Paul clearly tells Timothy the evangelist that he should drink a little wine to help his stomach problems:
'No longer drink only water, but use a little wine ('oinos': alcoholic wine, my insert) for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities' (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV)
A Few Occasions When a Christian Should NEVER Drink Alcohol
1. We started this little study with the example of a Christian pastor who drank beer on Sundays. Whilst I think that this man was subsequently very unfairly treated, I must say that I think it unwise for a minister to drink beer on this day. Why? Because beer can be quickly detected on one's breath and, as the apostle Paul shows us, we must consider the conscience of Christians of weaker understanding! As we have seen, from a biblical point of view there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking a glass of beer, but if somebody in the congregation, of perhaps weaker understanding, sincerely believes that the minister is sinful in drinking beer, that person's conscience is being seriously affected. We must think about these things! For this reason I think it unwise for any church-going Christian to drink beer on a Sunday (I see no harm in a single glass of wine).
2. Christians SHOULD NOT drink and drive and several countries (including the UK) have definite laws about this which Christians should comply with.
3. If a Christian is mixing with unbelievers and he/she denotes a tendency for them to drink too much, the Christian should take the lead in encouraging moderation. If this fails, the Christian should surely leave any such meeting or gathering.
4. Young people are always in danger of over-drinking and it is my considered opinion that Christians should NEVER encourage younger people to drink alcohol.
5. If a Christian has previously had a problem with heavy or addictive drinking he or she should completely avoid it.
CONCLUSION
We have plainly seen that the Old Testament portrays wine and strong drink as blessings which God has granted to Mankind, not as a curse. But all of God's blessings can be misused and abused. Good food is a wonderful blessing, but do we say to people, 'It is better not to eat because of the danger of gluttony'? Do we say to young couples on their wedding day, 'It is better not to have sexual relations because sexual lust has ruined many a life'? Do we ever say, 'It is better not to make money because riches and prosperity have destroyed lives'?
For the same reasons, Christians should encourage responsible drinking, rather than tell people that they should not drink at all, this goes way beyond any mandate we have from God.
COUNTERPOINT:
There are Christians who in reading this article are quick to claim the gift of salvation that has been offered to us, but are equally quick in ducking responsibility when it comes to obeying God’s laws. The Bible is God’s love letter to us; it is a book that serves as a manual for how we are to live our lives, what we are to eat and drink, how to behave, as well as how to treat others. The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years, by some 40 different authors. It is full of thousands of controversial issues and all the authors agree upon them – a miracle in of itself. One of the things that are consistently mentioned as evil is drinking of alcohol.
Alcohol is a good preservative for everything but brains! We receive one body here on earth, so if you harm it, then you have to live with the mess of your own making. Look at the people that have been partying for a while (drinking, smoking, drugs), their bodies become wasted, and they just look like death warmed over. The human body is amazing and has to be one of God’s best biological designs; it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. However, after a while it becomes worn out and starts to break down. It is then that we notice change is needed, but it is too late, the damage is already there. The answer lies not in management of a bad situation, but in prevention of it. We need to make the change before our body forces us to do so. God doesn’t want us to be sick, on the contrary, he wants us to be healthy. Why do we then bring sickness on ourselves and expect God to heal us for the damage that we caused ourselves? I propose that it’s not God’s will to heal us when we are sick, but that we never get sick in the first place! We are quick to claim all the blessings that God has for us, but not so swift to recognize that the curses that are in store for us when we do not obey the Word of the Lord.
This then brings us up to the million dollar question, "Should Christians today drink alcohol?" Many Christians simply cannot give an answer using the Bible, part of the reason for this is that the Bible does not pronounce clearly on the matter of abstinence. It is often alleged that a stand against Christians drinking alcoholic beverage is unscriptural and is an improper binding of the conscience of others. While it is a fundamental principle of Christianity that each individual has a right to act in agreement with his own conscience before God and in the light of written revelation, it should always be remembered that conscience is not an infallible guide. Our conscience about a given issue is not to act independently of Scripture but is to be shaped by the teaching of the Word of God, whether that teaching is clearly stated or implied. While there is no express command in Scripture prohibiting the consumption of alcohol there are other Scriptural principles which can be applied to the case of the Christian's use of alcohol.
The Biblical principles of personal separation from the world:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
The maintenance of a good testimony go a long way in making a firm case for a Christian abstaining from all non-medicinal use of alcohol.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
There may be some aspects of this issue that are not clear at first but there is no doubt that the Scripture condemns drunkenness in the plainest possible terms. There are numerous clear statements in Scripture!
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:13-14
Drunkenness is the mark of those who are in the darkness of spiritual night, it is the mark of those who have not put on the Lord Jesus and who fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Corinthians 5:11-13
Again Paul is writing to believers and is urging separation from one who commits, among other sins, the sin of drunkenness. He goes on to label someone like that a "wicked person" in verse 13.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10...Be ye holy; for I am holy. I Peter 1:16
Here the seriousness of drunkenness is obvious for it is the mark of those who are on their way to Hell. No drunkard will be found in heaven, for it is a sin and therefore cannot exist there because of God's holiness. Therefore if drunkenness will not be allowed in heaven, why should it be practiced here on earth?
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Drunkenness is a mark of the flesh, which is the sinful part of us. Paul is arguing in the context that the Flesh and the Spirit are contrary one to another, constantly competing to see who will win out. Those who live indulging in the lusts of the flesh - one of which is drunkenness - are not living for God and listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Christians, who are honestly seeking the truth, find yet another unmistakable command from Paul, forbidding drunkenness.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18
In Scripture drunkenness is presented as an evil that leads to yet more sin. In Genesis 9:21, we find the first reference in Scripture to the consumption of wine. It leads to drunkenness. The offender here is Noah, the man of God! As a further consequence the curse of God comes upon Canaan, Ham's son. Noah's drunkenness has a large part to play in the curse of God coming upon his offspring!
It is one of the marks of apostasy in the nation and of moral and spiritual decline when drunkenness increases.
It is one of the marks of apostasy in the nation and of moral and spiritual decline when drunkenness increases.
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 28:7
Drunkenness is seen as the cause of much misery:
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. Proverbs 23:29-35
Drunkenness is a sin upon which God has pronounced His woe!
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Isaiah 5:11
In the light of the serious nature of this sin, and the solemn things God has said about those who engage in it, no Christian should have any desire to even come close to committing it. Yet it is a sad feature of many Christians that they want to be the Lord's and yet walk as close to the Devil as possible. It is precisely this kind of mentality that motivates many to drink alcohol so long as they can avoid drunkenness.
All that has been said so far relates to the abuse of alcohol and the question still remains, "Should Christians drink alcohol at all?" Does the Scripture merely forbid its abuse? The words of Paul to Timothy are often wrongly used as an argument in defense of the Christian's right to drink alcohol in moderation.
All that has been said so far relates to the abuse of alcohol and the question still remains, "Should Christians drink alcohol at all?" Does the Scripture merely forbid its abuse? The words of Paul to Timothy are often wrongly used as an argument in defense of the Christian's right to drink alcohol in moderation.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. I Timothy 5:23
It should be noted that Paul only advocates the use of wine for medicinal use. Wine was used as a medicine in Biblical times. Luke 10:34 records that the Good Samaritan in the parable used oil and wine as medications for the wounded victim of the thieves; Proverbs 31:6 states, "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish;" and Mark 15:23, records wine being offered to Christ as He is about to be crucified.
Even in this medical context Paul speaks only of "a little wine." It is clear from these words that what Paul is speaking of, is the addition of a little wine to the water Timothy is drinking in order to make it safe to drink. The water supply in the Middle East and especially in Bible times was far from healthy. Sickness was the regular consequence of drinking water that had not been sterilized by a little wine. This point will also nullify the objection that is often raised that the Lord Jesus, His disciples, and all the people of God since the beginning of time did indeed drink wine. The reasoning of Paul for Timothy to use "a little wine" can hardly be said to prevail today! We are blessed with the provision of water that is not a threat to health. Paul's direction to Timothy does not give any believer license to drink wine as a beverage. He does not advocate drinking wine instead of water. It is noteworthy that he speaks of "drinking water" and "using" the wine; the wine was to complement the water, not replace it. At most his words permit the medicinal use of alcohol.
It is of the utmost importance to understand that Timothy had been in the practice of abstaining from even from "a little wine", even as drinking the contaminated water was making him sick. He had often suffered infirmities rather than drink wine in even its most diluted form, his self-denial in this matter is remarkable. It is to the one who is in the habit of denying the appetites of the body that Paul gives this counsel.
Timothy's example of abstinence from alcohol is complemented by others in Scripture.
Timothy's example of abstinence from alcohol is complemented by others in Scripture.
- Samson (Judges 13:1-25)
- John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
- The Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:5-6, 13-14, 18-19)
The idea of abstinence from wine as an aspect of service for God is seen in the command to the Priests:
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: Leviticus 10:9
It is also seen in God's instructions to Moses regarding the Nazarites:
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. Numbers 6:3
Any abstinence from wine must be done out of love for the Lord an as service for Him if it is to be spiritually profitable. Any other motive will tend only to the bondage of Phariseeism!
Remember that at the heart of this question lies the issue of the appetites of the flesh and how far they should be indulged. Often there is a thin dividing line between necessary use of something and carnal indulgence in it. It is easy to progress from one to the other! One important question to be asked in this context is, "Is it more important to be able to indulge a taste for wine than it is to be a good witness for Christ and to avoid being a stumbling block to others?"
We should always be ready to deny ourselves, even something that may be perfectly legitimate and justifiable, if it will stand in the way of witness for Christ or will be a hindrance to ourselves or others. Scripture teaches this very clearly:
Remember that at the heart of this question lies the issue of the appetites of the flesh and how far they should be indulged. Often there is a thin dividing line between necessary use of something and carnal indulgence in it. It is easy to progress from one to the other! One important question to be asked in this context is, "Is it more important to be able to indulge a taste for wine than it is to be a good witness for Christ and to avoid being a stumbling block to others?"
We should always be ready to deny ourselves, even something that may be perfectly legitimate and justifiable, if it will stand in the way of witness for Christ or will be a hindrance to ourselves or others. Scripture teaches this very clearly:
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way... It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Romans 14:13, 21
In Scripture, the term "brother" refers to family members, fellow human beings, and other believers in Christ. We should never act in such a way as to cause ourselves or another believer to fall or be hindered in their walk with Christ, nor should we be a stumbling block in the sinner's path to the Savior.
It should also be remembered that any carnal appetite that is indulged can grow to exercise destructive effects. An appetite that is restrained and controlled today but is fed and indulged can be uncontrollable tomorrow. None should ever forget that the harvest of indulging the flesh is very often reaped in our children. David reaped the consequence of his sin with Bathsheba in their son and in Absalom. A father may well be able to control his appetite for wine, but his indulgence may well be laying a snare for his child that will keep them out of Heaven. In this context we do well to bear the words of Paul in mind:
It should also be remembered that any carnal appetite that is indulged can grow to exercise destructive effects. An appetite that is restrained and controlled today but is fed and indulged can be uncontrollable tomorrow. None should ever forget that the harvest of indulging the flesh is very often reaped in our children. David reaped the consequence of his sin with Bathsheba in their son and in Absalom. A father may well be able to control his appetite for wine, but his indulgence may well be laying a snare for his child that will keep them out of Heaven. In this context we do well to bear the words of Paul in mind:
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. I Corinthians 8:9
There are many things not specifically forbidden in Scripture that we may properly engage in but which are neither profitable nor convenient.
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. I Corinthians 10:23
The question of using wine in communion is without question scriptural. To teach that communion wine is sinful is wrong. To use grape juice instead is acceptable though there is no biblical example. To say that wine users are legalistic is like saying baptism the biblical formula way is also legalistic. Communion is a "SACRAMENT." And should be performed as biblical as possible. To teach otherwise is heretical. A heretic is a heretic is a heretic. So when those who label wine in communion as wrong and or sinful, are like the pharisees who teach heretical doctrines of men.
note: recent research shows red wine has many healthy benefits http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/4-health-benefits-of-red-wine.html
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