IS IT A SIN TO DRINK ALCOHOL?
Various researches have shown that Breweries Companies are
indeed performing better and better everyday WHY? The
answer is that there are many more drinkers than non
drinkers in the World hence Higher demand for their
> products!..If you don't drink,the closest friend or relative
> does .
> Alcohol consumption directly or in directly affect the
> whole world economically,spiritually,socially etc.
> My ultimate aim is to provoke a debate afterwhich an insight
> knowledge on (KILAJI) drinking will be created.
> I strongly urge members to please contribute or criticize
> with valid Verses from the Bible as a guidance.
> Is it true that alcohol and Christianity don't mix? Some
> churches teach such a belief, even to the extent of making
> it a major doctrinal issue. But others either remain neutral
> or teach that they indeed do mix and, on occasion, even must
> mix. But so much for what men say. Let's look instead at
> what the Bible says. After all, we must be careful to obey
> God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and to not become so caught
> up in the doctrines of men that we turn our backs on God
> (Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:7-9, Titus 1:14).
> Q.1 Is it a SIN to drink wine or alcohol?
> Q.2 What does the Bible say about drinking wine or alcohol?
> Q.3Does it have any examples of people being drunk?
> To understand the drinking of alcohol, wine and strong
> drink, we must first understand how God looks upon drinking.
> In Matthew 11:18-19 Jesus said that John the Baptist came
> neither eating or drinking because he was under a Nazerite
> vow to God. Jesus' statement concerning criticism of John
> because he DIDN'T drink and criticism of him FOR drinking
> (and eating) is in the book of Matthew:
> “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like
> children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their
> companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and
> you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not
> lament.’
> "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
> ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and
> drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber,
> a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is
> justified by her children.” (Matthew 11:16-19, NKJV
> throughout)
> John's Nazerite vow precluded him from drinking not only
> wine (fermented juice) but also he couldn't drink grape
> juice or even eat any grapes. The primary location in the
> Bible that discusses the Nazarite vow is in the Book of
> Numbers, Chapter 6.
> Unlike John, Jesus came eating and drinking, and they
> called Him a Winebibber (Matthew 11:19). So Jesus drank
> wine, but Jesus did not sin; therefore, to drink wine or
> alcohol is NOT a sin.
> In fact, Jesus' own mother, Mary, asked her son to make
> more wine at the marriage feast in Cana. He obeyed His
> mother even though He wasn't supposed to start doing
> miracles then, but He obeyed his mother and made more wine
> than they could drink.
> One of the greatest Biblical proofs that drinking alcohol
> is not a sin in God's eyes is the fact that Christians drink
> wine showing Christ died for our sins. Some believe that
> "oinos" (Greek: οινος , Strong's Concordance [HASHTAG]#3631[/HASHTAG]) was
> grape juice,
> but it couldn't be because it represented His blood which
> pictures life. God said that what gives us life is our
> blood. Wine is fermented grape juice which is active or
> "living" just as our blood.
> The Apostle Paul did not think drinking wine was a sin. He
> tells Timothy, who was having stomach trouble, that he
> should drink a little wine for his stomach's sake.
> "No longer drink only water, but use a little WINE for your
> stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities." (1Timothy
> 5:23)
> Based on the Bible, drinking alcohol is of itself not a sin
> or harmful. As stated previously, Paul told Timothy to drink
> a little wine to benefit his health. The latest scientific
> findings show drinking moderately is helpful for our heart
> and lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.
> Of course, the Bible does condemn drunkenness. Lot. Titus
> 1:7 states that a minister of God should not be given to
> wine or an alcoholic. Drunkenness is clearly a sin (1Timothy
> 3:8).
> The Apostle Paul warns us that we should not be drunk with
> wine, wherein is excess (Ephesians 5:18).
> As long as we drink moderately, the Bible states it is good
> for us, but drunkenness or alcoholism is definitely a sin
> and not to be a part of a Christian's life.
> wine (win) n. . . . 1 the fermented juice of grapes, used
> as an alcoholic beverage 2 the fermented juice of other
> fruits or plants (Webster's New World Compact School and
> Office Dictionary, copyright 1995, p. 493)
> And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart
> desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for
> whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the
> Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your
> household. (Deuteronomy 14:26)
> In Leviticus 10:9. The Israelites are told by God to get
> whatever their heart desires, and this could include strong
> drink.
> For many years, not only members of the Lord's church, but
> also religious people in general have understood the
> drinking of alcohol in any quantity to be sinful. But Many
> in the Lord's church believe there is nothing wrong with
> so-called "social" drinking 1 Timothy 5:23,
> Drinking an alcoholic beverage is not wrong. Paul wrote,
> The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
> righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans
> 14:17)
> Paul's statement is made in the context of drinking wine
> (Romans 14:21). It is not wrong to drink wine (Luke
> 7:33-34), or even strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26 KJV).
> Those who claim that drinking wine is sinful, actually
> pronounce sin upon Him who is "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
> Because, Christ drank wine.
> 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
> 7:33-34)
> In the context of drinking wine, Christ says He came
> "drinking." In other words, He came drinking wine. As the
> haters of Christ accused Him of sin on this very same issue
> many years ago accusing Him of being a drunkard
> (winebibber), so today, men who teach drinking wine is wrong
> accuse the same One of similar sin.
> In fact, the wicked of old were more Biblically accurate in
> their accusation. It would certainly be wrong to be a
> winebibber (a drunkard, Proverbs 20:1), but to simply drink
> an alcoholic beverage is not a sin. Otherwise, Jesus Himself
> sinned.
> What about when Jesus turned the water into wine at the
> marriage in Cana. If Jesus Christ turned water into
> fermented liquor, he directly disobeyed Habakkuk 2:15, "Woe
> unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy
> bottle to him, and makest him drunken also . . ." And, if
> Jesus disobeyed Habakkuk - HE WAS A SINNER!
> (emphasis in original, World¹s Deadliest Drug tract,
> Dial-The-Truth Ministries, 5990 Willow Ridge Rd., Pinson, Al
> 35126; 205-681-9956)
> What is condemned in Habakkuk 2:15 is getting someone drunk
> so that you can look on their nakedness, not just getting
> someone drunk (see below, VI. Giving Strong Drink). Lot's
> daughters made their father drunk so that they could look on
> his nakedness (Genesis 19:32-35). Jesus did no such thing.
> Yet, He did make real wine (i.e. fermented)
> Christ was no sinner (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Yet,
> He did make real wine (i.e. fermented). As it is written,
> When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was
> made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the
> servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the
> feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man
> at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests
> have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good
> wine until now!" (John 2:9-10)
> What is "good wine"? Old wine.
> And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new;
> for he says, "The old is better." (Luke 5:39)
> Jesus made wine (oinos), good wine, real wine (fermented),
> and don't let anyone tellyou otherwise (Colossians 2:8-10).
> To drink in moderation, is not only allowed by God, it's
> commanded.
> Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a
> merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
> (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
> Besides the fact that: 1) Christ both made (John 2:1-11;
> 4:46) and drank wine (Matthew 11:18-19; Luke 7:33-34). 2)
> Paul says the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking
> (Romans 14:17, 21). 3) Ecclesiastes 9:7 encourages to "drink
> your wine." And, 4) the Lord instructed the Israelites to
> drink strong drink if they so desired (Deuteronomy 14:26).
> A Biblical defense can indeed be further made to support
> the consumption of alcohol.
> To begin with, Melchizedek is a good example to follow
> (Genesis 14:18). When Abraham returned from warring with
> Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, Melchizedek,
> the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18), the eternal man
> (Hebrews 7:1-3, 8, 16), came to Abraham and brought with him
> bread and wine. Bread is for food. Wine is for drink.
> Furthermore, though the priests could not drink wine or
> intoxicating drink when they went into the tabernacle
> (Leviticus 10:9), they could drink wine at other times
> (Numbers 18:12).
> Though the Israelites did not drink wine or similar drink
> as they wandered in the desert those 40 years (Deuteronomy
> 29:5-6), nonetheless, in anticipation of finally arriving in
> the promised land, the Lord commanded them to drink wine in
> their worship of Him (Deuteronomy 14:23).
> Moreover, someone who took a Nazirite vow could not drink
> wine during the time of his separation (Numbers 6:3), but
> after this, after he has properly presented his offering
> before the Lord, "the Nazirite may drink wine" (Numbers
> 6:20).
> Isaac drank wine (Genesis 27:25) and blessed his son Jacob
> with plenty of it (Genesis 27:28, 37).
> Jotham declares wine to cheer both God and men (Judges
> 9:13). The godly woman Abigail
> (1 Samuel 25:3-35) brought David wine for him and his men
> to drink (1 Samuel 25:18). Nehemiah and those with him drank
> wine
> (Nehemiah 5:18). Esther, who was a godly woman (Esther
> 2:7; 4:15-16, etc.), made a banquet of wine (Esther 5:6;
> 7:2, 8). Job, a man who was blameless and upright (Job 1:1,
> 8; 2:3), allowed his children to drink wine
> (Job 1:13, 18). The Song of Solomon, several times over,
> describes wine as a good thing (Song of Solomon 1:2, 4; 2:4
> "banqueting house" NKJV, Hebrew "house of wine"; 4:10; 7:9);
> Solomon says, "I have drunk my wine" (S.S. 5:1), and his
> wife says, "I would cause you to drink of spiced wine" (S.S.
> 8:2). Psalm 104:14 says the Lord makes wine (brings it
> forth), and it "makes glad the heart of man."
> Isaiah 25:6 says,
> The Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of
> choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
> full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees.
> Isaiah 55:1 figuratively says to "buy wine." Wine is seen
> as a blessing from God (Proverbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 25:6;
> Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:18-19, 24; Amos 9:13), and to be
> thwarted from drinking it is illustrated in a curse (Micah
> 6:15; Zephaniah 1:13).
> The Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of
> choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
> full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees.
> Isaiah 55:1 figuratively says to "buy wine." Wine is seen
> as a blessing from God (Proverbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 25:6;
> Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:18-19, 24; Amos 9:13), and to be
> thwarted from drinking it is illustrated in a curse (Micah
> 6:15; Zephaniah 1:13).
> Scripture does not support the notion that drinking an
> alcoholic beverage is sinful. What is sinful, is drinking in
> excess (e.g. Isaiah 5:11). And, even in Proverbs 30:4-5 this
> is what is in view.
> It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink
> wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink
> and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the
> afflicted. (Proverbs 31:4-5)
> Prior to this, Lemuel's mother instructs,
> Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that
> which destroys kings. (Proverbs 31:3; see also Proverbs
> 7:26)
> This verse is not a condemnation of all women, nor a
> condemnation of all sexual activity, but rather, it warns of
> immoral women and the practice of immoral sex. Likewise,
> Proverbs 31:4 does not forbid the moderate use of wine or
> intoxicating drink, but rather the misuse of it, "lest they
> drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the
> afflicted." The balance is found in Ecclesiastes 10:17.
> Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of
> nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time - for
> strength and not for drunkenness! (Ecclesiastes 10:17)
> How Much, When, And With Whom?
> Since Scripture encourages the moderate use of alcohol
> (e.g. Genesis 14:18; Deuteronomy 14:23, 26; Ecclesiastes
> 9:7; Luke 7:33-34; etc.), at what point does the drinking
> become sin? When God is disobeyed, then it is sin. The Lord
> says, "do not be drunk with wine" (Ephesians 5:18), and "be
> sober" (1 Peter 1:13). As long as these commands are not
> breached, then the drinking has been moderate, and no sin
> has been committed.
> Yet, sin has been committed, if, by drinking alcohol, a
> brother has been caused to stumble or is offended (Romans
> 14:20).
> It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do
> anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is
> made weak. (Romans 14:21)
> If a brother in the Lord is offended, or even if an ungodly
> man is offended, abstinence, for their sake, should be
> observed (1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 10:31-33; 2 Corinthians
> 6:3). Paul says,
> All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who
> eats [or drinks] with offense. (Romans 14:20)
> Eating or drinking with offense is eating or drinking in
> defiance of those who are known to be in disapproval of the
> behavior. This is the context of both Romans 14 and 1
> Corinthians 10:31-33. This does not address a circumstance
> in which such disapproval is unknown. Scripture does not
> dictate a believer should completely abstain from drinking
> any alcohol, lest someone someday somewhere might be
> offended. Jesus openly came eating and drinking (Luke
> 7:33-34), and His example can be followed. Abstinence can
> also be practiced, if so desired. Either way, one thing that
> should never be submitted to, or given any kind of approval,
> is false doctrine concerning this matter. Paul writes,
> So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a
> festival or a new moon or sabbaths. (Colossians 2:16)
> Out of love we may choose not to drink in someone's
> presence. But in truth, we should stand firm on what
> Scripture teaches about this issue, speak the truth, and in
> no way cower to any doctrine of men.
> And, although we may have the freedom to drink, we do not
> have the freedom to be fellow drinkers with those who over
> indulge.
> Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
> Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of
> meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.
> (Proverbs 23:21; see also 1 Corinthians 15:3
Various researches have shown that Breweries Companies are
indeed performing better and better everyday WHY? The
answer is that there are many more drinkers than non
drinkers in the World hence Higher demand for their
> products!..If you don't drink,the closest friend or relative
> does .
> Alcohol consumption directly or in directly affect the
> whole world economically,spiritually,socially etc.
> My ultimate aim is to provoke a debate afterwhich an insight
> knowledge on (KILAJI) drinking will be created.
> I strongly urge members to please contribute or criticize
> with valid Verses from the Bible as a guidance.
> Is it true that alcohol and Christianity don't mix? Some
> churches teach such a belief, even to the extent of making
> it a major doctrinal issue. But others either remain neutral
> or teach that they indeed do mix and, on occasion, even must
> mix. But so much for what men say. Let's look instead at
> what the Bible says. After all, we must be careful to obey
> God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and to not become so caught
> up in the doctrines of men that we turn our backs on God
> (Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:7-9, Titus 1:14).
> Q.1 Is it a SIN to drink wine or alcohol?
> Q.2 What does the Bible say about drinking wine or alcohol?
> Q.3Does it have any examples of people being drunk?
> To understand the drinking of alcohol, wine and strong
> drink, we must first understand how God looks upon drinking.
> In Matthew 11:18-19 Jesus said that John the Baptist came
> neither eating or drinking because he was under a Nazerite
> vow to God. Jesus' statement concerning criticism of John
> because he DIDN'T drink and criticism of him FOR drinking
> (and eating) is in the book of Matthew:
> “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like
> children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their
> companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and
> you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not
> lament.’
> "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
> ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and
> drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber,
> a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is
> justified by her children.” (Matthew 11:16-19, NKJV
> throughout)
> John's Nazerite vow precluded him from drinking not only
> wine (fermented juice) but also he couldn't drink grape
> juice or even eat any grapes. The primary location in the
> Bible that discusses the Nazarite vow is in the Book of
> Numbers, Chapter 6.
> Unlike John, Jesus came eating and drinking, and they
> called Him a Winebibber (Matthew 11:19). So Jesus drank
> wine, but Jesus did not sin; therefore, to drink wine or
> alcohol is NOT a sin.
> In fact, Jesus' own mother, Mary, asked her son to make
> more wine at the marriage feast in Cana. He obeyed His
> mother even though He wasn't supposed to start doing
> miracles then, but He obeyed his mother and made more wine
> than they could drink.
> One of the greatest Biblical proofs that drinking alcohol
> is not a sin in God's eyes is the fact that Christians drink
> wine showing Christ died for our sins. Some believe that
> "oinos" (Greek: οινος , Strong's Concordance [HASHTAG]#3631[/HASHTAG]) was
> grape juice,
> but it couldn't be because it represented His blood which
> pictures life. God said that what gives us life is our
> blood. Wine is fermented grape juice which is active or
> "living" just as our blood.
> The Apostle Paul did not think drinking wine was a sin. He
> tells Timothy, who was having stomach trouble, that he
> should drink a little wine for his stomach's sake.
> "No longer drink only water, but use a little WINE for your
> stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities." (1Timothy
> 5:23)
> Based on the Bible, drinking alcohol is of itself not a sin
> or harmful. As stated previously, Paul told Timothy to drink
> a little wine to benefit his health. The latest scientific
> findings show drinking moderately is helpful for our heart
> and lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.
> Of course, the Bible does condemn drunkenness. Lot. Titus
> 1:7 states that a minister of God should not be given to
> wine or an alcoholic. Drunkenness is clearly a sin (1Timothy
> 3:8).
> The Apostle Paul warns us that we should not be drunk with
> wine, wherein is excess (Ephesians 5:18).
> As long as we drink moderately, the Bible states it is good
> for us, but drunkenness or alcoholism is definitely a sin
> and not to be a part of a Christian's life.
> wine (win) n. . . . 1 the fermented juice of grapes, used
> as an alcoholic beverage 2 the fermented juice of other
> fruits or plants (Webster's New World Compact School and
> Office Dictionary, copyright 1995, p. 493)
> And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart
> desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for
> whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the
> Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your
> household. (Deuteronomy 14:26)
> In Leviticus 10:9. The Israelites are told by God to get
> whatever their heart desires, and this could include strong
> drink.
> For many years, not only members of the Lord's church, but
> also religious people in general have understood the
> drinking of alcohol in any quantity to be sinful. But Many
> in the Lord's church believe there is nothing wrong with
> so-called "social" drinking 1 Timothy 5:23,
> Drinking an alcoholic beverage is not wrong. Paul wrote,
> The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
> righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans
> 14:17)
> Paul's statement is made in the context of drinking wine
> (Romans 14:21). It is not wrong to drink wine (Luke
> 7:33-34), or even strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26 KJV).
> Those who claim that drinking wine is sinful, actually
> pronounce sin upon Him who is "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
> Because, Christ drank wine.
> 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
> 7:33-34)
> In the context of drinking wine, Christ says He came
> "drinking." In other words, He came drinking wine. As the
> haters of Christ accused Him of sin on this very same issue
> many years ago accusing Him of being a drunkard
> (winebibber), so today, men who teach drinking wine is wrong
> accuse the same One of similar sin.
> In fact, the wicked of old were more Biblically accurate in
> their accusation. It would certainly be wrong to be a
> winebibber (a drunkard, Proverbs 20:1), but to simply drink
> an alcoholic beverage is not a sin. Otherwise, Jesus Himself
> sinned.
> What about when Jesus turned the water into wine at the
> marriage in Cana. If Jesus Christ turned water into
> fermented liquor, he directly disobeyed Habakkuk 2:15, "Woe
> unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy
> bottle to him, and makest him drunken also . . ." And, if
> Jesus disobeyed Habakkuk - HE WAS A SINNER!
> (emphasis in original, World¹s Deadliest Drug tract,
> Dial-The-Truth Ministries, 5990 Willow Ridge Rd., Pinson, Al
> 35126; 205-681-9956)
> What is condemned in Habakkuk 2:15 is getting someone drunk
> so that you can look on their nakedness, not just getting
> someone drunk (see below, VI. Giving Strong Drink). Lot's
> daughters made their father drunk so that they could look on
> his nakedness (Genesis 19:32-35). Jesus did no such thing.
> Yet, He did make real wine (i.e. fermented)
> Christ was no sinner (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Yet,
> He did make real wine (i.e. fermented). As it is written,
> When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was
> made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the
> servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the
> feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man
> at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests
> have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good
> wine until now!" (John 2:9-10)
> What is "good wine"? Old wine.
> And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new;
> for he says, "The old is better." (Luke 5:39)
> Jesus made wine (oinos), good wine, real wine (fermented),
> and don't let anyone tellyou otherwise (Colossians 2:8-10).
> To drink in moderation, is not only allowed by God, it's
> commanded.
> Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a
> merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
> (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
> Besides the fact that: 1) Christ both made (John 2:1-11;
> 4:46) and drank wine (Matthew 11:18-19; Luke 7:33-34). 2)
> Paul says the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking
> (Romans 14:17, 21). 3) Ecclesiastes 9:7 encourages to "drink
> your wine." And, 4) the Lord instructed the Israelites to
> drink strong drink if they so desired (Deuteronomy 14:26).
> A Biblical defense can indeed be further made to support
> the consumption of alcohol.
> To begin with, Melchizedek is a good example to follow
> (Genesis 14:18). When Abraham returned from warring with
> Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, Melchizedek,
> the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18), the eternal man
> (Hebrews 7:1-3, 8, 16), came to Abraham and brought with him
> bread and wine. Bread is for food. Wine is for drink.
> Furthermore, though the priests could not drink wine or
> intoxicating drink when they went into the tabernacle
> (Leviticus 10:9), they could drink wine at other times
> (Numbers 18:12).
> Though the Israelites did not drink wine or similar drink
> as they wandered in the desert those 40 years (Deuteronomy
> 29:5-6), nonetheless, in anticipation of finally arriving in
> the promised land, the Lord commanded them to drink wine in
> their worship of Him (Deuteronomy 14:23).
> Moreover, someone who took a Nazirite vow could not drink
> wine during the time of his separation (Numbers 6:3), but
> after this, after he has properly presented his offering
> before the Lord, "the Nazirite may drink wine" (Numbers
> 6:20).
> Isaac drank wine (Genesis 27:25) and blessed his son Jacob
> with plenty of it (Genesis 27:28, 37).
> Jotham declares wine to cheer both God and men (Judges
> 9:13). The godly woman Abigail
> (1 Samuel 25:3-35) brought David wine for him and his men
> to drink (1 Samuel 25:18). Nehemiah and those with him drank
> wine
> (Nehemiah 5:18). Esther, who was a godly woman (Esther
> 2:7; 4:15-16, etc.), made a banquet of wine (Esther 5:6;
> 7:2, 8). Job, a man who was blameless and upright (Job 1:1,
> 8; 2:3), allowed his children to drink wine
> (Job 1:13, 18). The Song of Solomon, several times over,
> describes wine as a good thing (Song of Solomon 1:2, 4; 2:4
> "banqueting house" NKJV, Hebrew "house of wine"; 4:10; 7:9);
> Solomon says, "I have drunk my wine" (S.S. 5:1), and his
> wife says, "I would cause you to drink of spiced wine" (S.S.
> 8:2). Psalm 104:14 says the Lord makes wine (brings it
> forth), and it "makes glad the heart of man."
> Isaiah 25:6 says,
> The Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of
> choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
> full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees.
> Isaiah 55:1 figuratively says to "buy wine." Wine is seen
> as a blessing from God (Proverbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 25:6;
> Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:18-19, 24; Amos 9:13), and to be
> thwarted from drinking it is illustrated in a curse (Micah
> 6:15; Zephaniah 1:13).
> The Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of
> choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
> full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees.
> Isaiah 55:1 figuratively says to "buy wine." Wine is seen
> as a blessing from God (Proverbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 25:6;
> Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:18-19, 24; Amos 9:13), and to be
> thwarted from drinking it is illustrated in a curse (Micah
> 6:15; Zephaniah 1:13).
> Scripture does not support the notion that drinking an
> alcoholic beverage is sinful. What is sinful, is drinking in
> excess (e.g. Isaiah 5:11). And, even in Proverbs 30:4-5 this
> is what is in view.
> It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink
> wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink
> and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the
> afflicted. (Proverbs 31:4-5)
> Prior to this, Lemuel's mother instructs,
> Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that
> which destroys kings. (Proverbs 31:3; see also Proverbs
> 7:26)
> This verse is not a condemnation of all women, nor a
> condemnation of all sexual activity, but rather, it warns of
> immoral women and the practice of immoral sex. Likewise,
> Proverbs 31:4 does not forbid the moderate use of wine or
> intoxicating drink, but rather the misuse of it, "lest they
> drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the
> afflicted." The balance is found in Ecclesiastes 10:17.
> Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of
> nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time - for
> strength and not for drunkenness! (Ecclesiastes 10:17)
> How Much, When, And With Whom?
> Since Scripture encourages the moderate use of alcohol
> (e.g. Genesis 14:18; Deuteronomy 14:23, 26; Ecclesiastes
> 9:7; Luke 7:33-34; etc.), at what point does the drinking
> become sin? When God is disobeyed, then it is sin. The Lord
> says, "do not be drunk with wine" (Ephesians 5:18), and "be
> sober" (1 Peter 1:13). As long as these commands are not
> breached, then the drinking has been moderate, and no sin
> has been committed.
> Yet, sin has been committed, if, by drinking alcohol, a
> brother has been caused to stumble or is offended (Romans
> 14:20).
> It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do
> anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is
> made weak. (Romans 14:21)
> If a brother in the Lord is offended, or even if an ungodly
> man is offended, abstinence, for their sake, should be
> observed (1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 10:31-33; 2 Corinthians
> 6:3). Paul says,
> All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who
> eats [or drinks] with offense. (Romans 14:20)
> Eating or drinking with offense is eating or drinking in
> defiance of those who are known to be in disapproval of the
> behavior. This is the context of both Romans 14 and 1
> Corinthians 10:31-33. This does not address a circumstance
> in which such disapproval is unknown. Scripture does not
> dictate a believer should completely abstain from drinking
> any alcohol, lest someone someday somewhere might be
> offended. Jesus openly came eating and drinking (Luke
> 7:33-34), and His example can be followed. Abstinence can
> also be practiced, if so desired. Either way, one thing that
> should never be submitted to, or given any kind of approval,
> is false doctrine concerning this matter. Paul writes,
> So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a
> festival or a new moon or sabbaths. (Colossians 2:16)
> Out of love we may choose not to drink in someone's
> presence. But in truth, we should stand firm on what
> Scripture teaches about this issue, speak the truth, and in
> no way cower to any doctrine of men.
> And, although we may have the freedom to drink, we do not
> have the freedom to be fellow drinkers with those who over
> indulge.
> Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
> Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of
> meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.
> (Proverbs 23:21; see also 1 Corinthians 15:3
