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Drinking and reading

Ever done a bible study or had Christian discussions while sippin' a brewski or having a glass of wine? It seems almost wrong but then I think, eh, it's just a beer...as long as you're not getting blasted...
 
Raquel, this would hinge on whether or not drinking alcohol is a sin, something that gets wrestled ad nauseam on forums such as this and never resolved. If drinking alcohol isn't sinful then there is nothing wrong with reading the scriptures or discussing the bible whilst doing so.

If it is, then there is never a time when it's OK.
 
In the Bible, it seems the sin is in drunkenness rather than drinking. And, correct me if I am wrong, Jesus did drink wine on occasion. Jesus is a a very sacred, holy figure, being the Son of God, so I doubt drinking the alcohol would be the sin.

I don't see a problem unless it hinders your ability to interperet the Scripture in some way, or you are getting totally smashed. Or if one drink happens to lead to another, and another, etc. As long as that's it, it really isn't much different from any other drink, imho.
 
A couple months ago my friend and I were drinking some wine and we just got into really deep, meaningful conversations. I'm assuming the alcohol aided in the matter...we both had a buzz and we just talked for hours about the Lord and our lives and how He leads us. We're both born again as is her husband who was also there but not drinking. It almost seems like an oxymoron to be drinking and talking about our walk with God and our faith but we were really relaxed and honest. Don't know...seems weird and ok at the same time.
 
I see so many people who are in bondage to drugs and alcohol until I want them to see and hear my testimony of how God set me free from all that, to the point that I no longer need it or want it. If they still saw me drinking and getting a buzz then my testimony would be no good. Jesus gives me joy, I no longer want those things. Old things passed away.. all things made new. This is the new birth.
Joy is from within, given through God... a high from Alcohol is of the flesh, the lower nature.
 
There's no bondage...I (and she) just enjoy a beer or glass of wine now and then. I'd understand more if I was drinking with a non-Chrisitian and what they thought of what I was doing. But we're both Christians and we weren't trying to seek out anything better or higher than the Lord, we were just chatting and having a drink. We weren't trying to impress or convert anyone...we were bonding and sharing our feelings.
 
LaMexicana said:
There's no bondage...I (and she) just enjoy a beer or glass of wine now and then. I'd understand more if I was drinking with a non-Chrisitian and what they thought of what I was doing. But we're both Christians and we weren't trying to seek out anything better or higher than the Lord, we were just chatting and having a drink. We weren't trying to impress or convert anyone...we were bonding and sharing our feelings.
I couldn't make a call on that, LaMex.. it is between you and the Lord. It's just when drunkenness and lost people or babes in Christ are involved where we have to be careful.
 
I took my faith for granted until my mid-20's and then as they say, I was "radically saved". I was shot out of a cannon on fire for the Lord. Unfortunately one of my friends who I looked to as a mentor of sorts was very legalistic. He really drove home the message that even a sip of beer was out of the question for a Christian. Well, I took that and ran. With the will to change lives, but not the words, I would in turn get on people for it. :mad

So, I've come to the realization that it's not what goes in you, but what comes out. If you're not getting ripped or throwing down too much, I see no problem with that. So how much is too much? It doesn't take more than a few beers to be legally intoxicated while behind the wheel. That doesn't seem like a lot at all, so personally, I try not to get to the point that I would be legally intoxicated. It's just a rough guide line. Watching football with a beer :thumb
 
destiny said:
I couldn't make a call on that, LaMex.. it is between you and the Lord. It's just when drunkenness and lost people or babes in Christ are involved where we have to be careful.

Very true, Destiny. A guy in my mens accountability group suggested going to a pub for one of our Bible studies. It would be cool to break out Bibles at a pub. But I was afraid how it would look if we also had a beer in front of us. People wouldn't know we weren't getting drunk, but they might think so. And then they have what appears to be a contradiction or hypocrisy. We ruled it out just on the basis of how it would appear, and also possibly validating someone's justification to stumble. :shrug
 
mjjcb said:
destiny said:
I couldn't make a call on that, LaMex.. it is between you and the Lord. It's just when drunkenness and lost people or babes in Christ are involved where we have to be careful.

Very true, Destiny. A guy in my mens accountability group suggested going to a pub for one of our Bible studies. It would be cool to break out Bibles at a pub. But I was afraid how it would look if we also had a beer in front of us. People wouldn't know we weren't getting drunk, but they might think so. And then they have what appears to be a contradiction or hypocrisy. We ruled it out just on the basis of how it would appear, and also possibly validating someone's justification to stumble. :shrug
Yep.. so many need freedom FROM those things... we need to be a set apart people.
 
Interesting thoughts...thanks for the input! I agree about the football and beer for sure (oooh and hot wings) but we do need to be careful how we come off to others...stuff to think about!
 
I have in my time got drunk and argued about the Bible, with other drunks. And nothing would come of it, but near fights, and blood pressure and tempers, at all time high's. It would never be a Bible study, someone would just mention something Biblically, and it would take off from there. And the next thing you would know, in your drunken haze, you were cussing someone out, or I was being cussed out. Sometimes this was done in the bars, and sometimes in houses. And don't let someone say something to me that was not in the Bible, or was not Biblically true. Because if you did that, it was on. A cuss out was coming. This is my true story of drunks and the Bible. :amen
 
Lewis W said:
I have in my time got drunk and argued about the Bible, with other drunks. And nothing would come of it, but near fights, and blood pressure and tempers, at all time high's. It would never be a Bible study, someone would just mention something Biblically, and it would take off from there. And the next thing you would know, in your drunken haze, you were cussing someone out, or I was being cussed out. Sometimes this was done in the bars, and sometimes in houses. And don't let someone say something to me that was not in the Bible, or was not Biblically true. Because if you did that, it was on. A cuss out was coming. This is my true story of drunks and the Bible. :amen

:toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny
:bicker :angry :chair
:toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :toofunny
 
Of course. I love beer and God, what a great combo! I don't get drunk or anything, but in the privacy of my own home, of course I enjoy a good beer and some God time. Hey, Jesus turned the water into wine for the people!
 
The Bible is not against drinking, it is against, abusing it, like I use to. So I just don't drink, because I just can't have one, I have to close the bar every night, and be there Johnny on the spot, when it opens in the morning.
 
I have to say, the title of this thread is sort of random and funny.

Okay, since Lewis was so forthcoming. I grew up going to church and going through the motions. My faith didn't really mean much to me. Through high school and definitely through college I burnt that mother down. I remember chanting at parties, "...for it's not for the knowledge that we came to college, but to raise h--- while we're, raise h--- while we're, raise h--- while we're here!" So many mornings having no idea what happened the night before. :shame

By God's grace I made it into my 20's when I truly embraced His Love. I don't hit the hard stuff anymore, but a beer or two? Oh, yes. With some football or while grilling some steaks, absolutely!

with a book? :confused
 
My relationship with God can 'tolerate' drinking while reading :) Alcohol is one of the benefits of life in the physical realm, however if it is misused it can be destructive.

I used to have alcoholism where I would binge daily after work until I fell asleep - around 12-15 stubbies. The difference when I was converted was miraculous: I was still able to drink as often as I wanted, but did not have the temptations daily and I would not drink so heavily and I didn't get drunk once. So my testimony demonstrates that when you surrender your life to God, He heals the abusive/destructive alcoholism but doesn't force abstinence on us.

My experience with God is that He grants our wishes rather than revokes our rights, so I hope you can be blessed with the same relationship I have with Him ;) He is sooo open minded and supportive. Lord, you are amazing and I Love you with every breath and thought!
 
oi_antz said:
My relationship with God can 'tolerate' drinking while reading :) Alcohol is one of the benefits of life in the physical realm, however if it is misused it can be destructive.

I used to have alcoholism where I would binge daily after work until I fell asleep - around 12-15 stubbies. The difference when I was converted was miraculous: I was still able to drink as often as I wanted, but did not have the temptations daily and I would not drink so heavily and I didn't get drunk once. So my testimony demonstrates that when you surrender your life to God, He heals the abusive/destructive alcoholism but doesn't force abstinence on us.

My experience with God is that He grants our wishes rather than revokes our rights, so I hope you can be blessed with the same relationship I have with Him ;) He is sooo open minded and supportive. Lord, you are amazing and I Love you with every breath and thought!
:thumb :biglol :amen :amen
 
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