Christians And Alcohol: Just A Few Thoughts


(You probably already have a strong opinion on this day's subject matter, but I really hope you'll read all the way through this. Then feel free to share your thoughts with me, or follow up with any questions. Thanks, and know that I love and pray for all who read this each day, which has been several thousand a day of recent. Wow!)

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. Isaiah 5:11

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but instead be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:17-18

The Bible records many people drinking wine.
When Noah drank wine he ended up in his tent naked and his son cursed.
When Lot drank wine he had sex with his daughters.
When the Israelites drank waiting for Moses they made the golden calf.
David tried to get Uriah to drink wine to trick him so he could cover up his sin with Bathsheba.
When Ammon drank he ended up raping his half sister.

There is no record anywhere in the Scriptures of anyone benefitting from drinking alcohol.

Timothy had to be told by Paul to "take a little wine for his belly" because on his own he wouldn't touch it. Wine was used medicinally in this day, but he still wouldn't drink it.

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Those who were set apart for a purpose in the Scriptures stayed away from wine. 
Priests on duty couldn't touch it. You couldn't drink wine and enter the presence of God.
It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer. Proverbs 31:4
Nazarites (such as John the Baptist) drank no alcohol.

I know, I know, you want to tell me that Jesus turned the water into wine. His first miracle. A quick study will reveal to you that in the Roman culture water was mixed with wine. Some sources I read say that it would take as much as 20 glasses of wine in Jesus' day to equal the alcohol content in one martini today. I'm not an alcohol expert, and although I'm getting up there, I wasn't at the wedding when he performed this miracle. I have no way of knowing the alcohol content although it is common knowledge in our own country that the alcohol content in beverages is steadily increasing. What I do know is that every time the Bible speaks about alcohol it speaks negatively filled with warnings.

In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Proverbs 23:32

When you drink to calm your nerves, to settle your spirit, to help you relax, you say to the world; Jesus isn't enough. Being filled with the Spirit isn't enough for me. I need something more.

The real question of whether you will drink alcohol or not comes down to who you perceive yourself to be. Those who were set apart in the Scriptures abstained from alcohol. I understood myself to be set apart by God uniquely long before I was a credentialed minister, so I already lived a life of abstinence. I've also seen alcohol destroy the lives of many I loved. I have yet to meet the person who can tell me the story of how it helped them have a better life. It really comes down to where you want to position yourself. I don't want to hang outside in the outer courts where it's ok to drink up. I want to press in to the Holy of Holies with the priests, so drinking isn't for me.

Following the Son,
James A Williams



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more