Should Christians Drink, At All ?

[Lewis]

I don't drink anymore, because I can't have just one, but what about the rest of you. What do you think, in certain places, the Bible, says help yourself. Some Christians look down on people who drink, even if they are not alcoholics. And also many Christians believe that Christ did not turn water into fermented wine, I don't believe that, I think that it was fermented, and that Jesus drank fermented wine.

What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?

Answer: Scripture has much to say regarding the drinking of alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.†Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.†Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…â€

What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered†by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol in excess to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but not necessarily to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12).

Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others, it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol.

 

[John]

I think you already hit the nail on the head. Drunkenness is sinful but a little drink here and there in a reasonable manner is fine. I think it all boils down to self control.

 

[Dude named Louis]

Like you, I can't have just one so I don't drink. But I think your post is accurate Lewis, the command is to avoid drunkenness, not drinking of alcohol.

 

[follower of Christ]

Drinking Wine
Wm Tipton

Assertions/Conclusions of this Article
To show that 'wine' in Gods word is fermented wine and that it is no 'sin' to drink it, but that the excess of drunkenness is where the sin lies.

We make no statement about who should or shouldnt drink at all, but it should be based on whether one can do it in faith knowing that it isnt sin, and that they arent previously substance abusers who may be predisposed to addiction.

Supporting Evidence
Firstly we determine that wine IS fermented.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
(Eph 5:18 KJV)

This word is:

G3631
?????
oinos
oy'-nos
A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [H3196]); “wine†(literally or figuratively): - wine.

The statement 'be not DRUNK with WINE' shows us conclusively that it is FERMENTED wine that is being discussed. The statement has literally NO meaning unless the wine IS fermented.


Here we have Paul INSTRUCTION Timothy to not only drink water, but also to drink wine for his stomachs sake.

No longer drink water only, but use a little wine on account of your stomach, and your frequent illnesses.
1 Timothy 5:23

Its the same word as in the previous passage where it is conclusively shown that 'wine' IS fermented and can cause drunkeness.

G3631
?????
oinos
oy'-nos
A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [H3196]); “wine†(literally or figuratively): - wine.

So *IF* drinking wine is defined AS sin, Paul is willfully and purposefully instruction and causing Timothy to COMMIT sin.
Paul would surely do no such thing as to CAUSE another to sin or stumble.
The wine IS fermented and so it CANNOT be sinful simply to drink fermented wine.


2.0

Yet again....

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
(1Ti 3:8 KJV)

*IF* any man wishes to be in leadership in the church he must not be given to MUCH wine. Notice it does not say 'he must not drink', but the wording MEANS what it very plainly states...that he cannot drink a lot...to excess.

MUCH
G4183
????? / ??????
polus / polos
Thayer Definition:
1) many, much, large
Part of Speech: adjective

WINE
G3631
?????
oinos
oy'-nos
A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [H3196]); “wine†(literally or figuratively): - wine.

There should be an absolute prohibition here *IF* fermented wine is a problem.
And *IF* this was about grape juice the statement again makes no sense....who cares if a guy likes a lot of Welchs ?

We see the EXACT same thing said by Paul about older women...


Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Same words as before;

MUCH
G4183
????? / ??????
polus / polos
Thayer Definition:
1) many, much, large
Part of Speech: adjective

WINE
G3631
?????
oinos
oy'-nos
A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [H3196]); “wine†(literally or figuratively): - wine.

*IF* this was about grape juice the statement again makes no sense...grape juice isnt going to hurt anyone. There would be NO sense in restriction consumption of UNfermented JUICE !
Yet the restriction is about MUCH wine...NOT an all out prohibition of it.


3.0
And once more...

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 1 Peter 4:3


G3632
??????????
oinophlugia
oy-nof-loog-ee'-ah
From G3631 and a form of the base of G5397; an overflow (or surplus) of wine, that is, vinolency (drunkenness): - excess of wine.

it is the EXCESS of wine that is condemned.
Cant very well have EXCESS if wine is entirely PROHIBITED, now can we...

 

[LostSoul]

I am expecting to get fire and brimstone, but.... I drink....VERY RARELY. At the present I do not even drink on occassion. It has been some time since I have had some alcohol as I have been breast feeding my son. Usually when I do drink it in exceedingly small doses. One drink... if that per sitting...

 

[follower of Christ]

I am expecting to get fire and brimstone, but.... I drink....VERY RARELY. At the present I do not even drink on occassion. It has been some time since I have had some alcohol as I have been breast feeding my son. Usually when I do drink it in exceedingly small doses. One drink... if that per sitting...

Id say that anyone who condemns doesnt know the scriptures

 

[Sound Silence]

It's probably best to go on the side of caution and not.

Me, I can't be bothered to drink, I've had all of two shots because they were offered, that was only during small get-togethers with like, 4 people.

I consider myself something of a "designated sober person" around my non-christian friends.

 

[GojuBrian]

I rarely drink and have no desire to drink. I used to drink alot.......I would close down the bars on friday and saturday night. I look back at the idiot I was and wonder how I survived it all, oh nevermind.

 

[Rick W]

I rarely drink and have no desire to drink. I used to drink alot.......I would close down the bars on friday and saturday night. I look back at the idiot I was and wonder how I survived it all, oh nevermind.

Same here.
Always broke.
Got saved, the desire was taken and I had a lot more left out of my paychecks.
Talk about the blessing of prosperity.

 

[GojuBrian]

I rarely drink and have no desire to drink. I used to drink alot.......I would close down the bars on friday and saturday night. I look back at the idiot I was and wonder how I survived it all, oh nevermind.

Same here.
Always broke.
Got saved, the desire was taken and I had a lot more left out of my paychecks.
Talk about the blessing of prosperity.

I hear ya!!! I would put off paying some bills in order to have a few extra rounds. I even borrowed for it. I paid for alot of others to drink as well. Got into fights and even more dangerous situations than I cared to. Looking back it was just plain stupid.

Thank God for having greater plans for me!!

 

[Lewis]

Yeah and every time, that I went to the county jail, I was drunk and drugged up. I look back now and I can't believe how stupid I was. Closing down bars, fighting, strange women, you name it. But anyway check this view at this link and see if you agree with it. And post back.
http://www.jesusisthelight.net/ALCOHOL.htm

 

[Cornelius]

I use to drink a lot. Then Jesus delivered me and now it does not bother me. I can have some wine with some meals when I have visitors or go out and its OK. I do find that these days it can make me feel bad. I think they are placing some awful preservatives in wine. :gah

Jesus drank wine for sure. But the warning is not to get drunk ! :yes

 

[Spartan_029]

I had my first drink at midnight October 18th, 2008, the day I turned 21.
I had my last drink June 1st, 2009.
I never had "hard alcohol" in that time, nor was I ever "drunk."

Why did I quit?

For me, myself, drinking was a sin.
NOTE: "ME, MYSELF"
I do not view it as a sin for anyone else, just myself. How did I come to this conclusion? I'll tell you!

A sin is something you do in the dark, yes? Something you don't want others to see. Thats why you look at porn in the dark, that's why you don't speed when your parents are riding with you, that's why you look around the class room before you cheat on the test. Sinning is done in "The Dark."

When I would walk around town, or visited breweries, I would see parents having a drink with their kids around; and I would judge them in my mind. I'd say to myself "Who do they think they are, drinking in front of their kids!"
And that's what got me, "drinking in front of their kids." To me, this equates to drinking when they are not around; drinking, in the dark.

So for me, and the way my mind works, the simple act of drinking alcohol, FOR ME, became a sin. so I stopped.

Also, if being drunk is a sin, why take the first step in that direction... I's like if sexual immorality is a sin, why wander around in the "red light" district?

 

[Lewis]

I had my first drink at midnight October 18th, 2008, the day I turned 21.
I had my last drink June 1st, 2009.
I never had "hard alcohol" in that time, nor was I ever "drunk."

Why did I quit?

For me, myself, drinking was a sin.
NOTE: "ME, MYSELF"
I do not view it as a sin for anyone else, just myself. How did I come to this conclusion? I'll tell you!

A sin is something you do in the dark, yes? Something you don't want others to see. Thats why you look at porn in the dark, that's why you don't speed when your parents are riding with you, that's why you look around the class room before you cheat on the test. Sinning is done in "The Dark."

When I would walk around town, or visited breweries, I would see parents having a drink with their kids around; and I would judge them in my mind. I'd say to myself "Who do they think they are, drinking in front of their kids!"
And that's what got me, "drinking in front of their kids." To me, this equates to drinking when they are not around; drinking, in the dark.

So for me, and the way my mind works, the simple act of drinking alcohol, FOR ME, became a sin. so I stopped.

Also, if being drunk is a sin, why take the first step in that direction... I's like if sexual immorality is a sin, why wander around in the "red light" district?

If it is a sin to you then it is.

 

[azlan88]

Drinking wine isn't a sin. The Bible says, "Don't be drunk with wine. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." But it also says that we should take communion, which involves wine.

 

[Blazin Bones]

I do not have a problem with those who drink, I've just seen what it does to people, and the best way to avoid something like that is to never start. I'm cuirous as to how a beer tastes, but not enough to buy a case.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

Nothing wrong with drinking in moderation. Heck, nothing wrong with having a little buzz as well. Getting bombed out of your mind drunk should be avoided since it usually makes people act like idiots and do things they would regret.

 

[Nick]

I think you already hit the nail on the head. Drunkenness is sinful but a little drink here and there in a reasonable manner is fine. I think it all boils down to self control.

I agree, although I'm too young to actually experience alchool yet.

 

[micaela]

I used to like to drink for the sole purpose of getting drunk, but I feel like I have overcome that issue in my life. Once in a while me and my husband will go out and have a few drinks but it does not interfere with our lives or our faith.

 

[Lewis]

Some places in the Bible encourages having a drink. But if you can't just have 1 or 2 drinks like me, those Scriptures are not for you.