The Sanctuary

Posts Tagged ‘God’

A friend has recently asked me to discuss my beliefs and the scriptural references of Christians drinking or not drinking in the Bible. He asks, “Where in the Bible does it say that we [Christians] should not drink.” He also mentions, “The Bible says ‘do not get drunk.’ So, why do you think it is wrong to drink in moderation?”

I have had this discussion many times before, and have come to slightly different conclusions as I’ve studied more of the Bible, and learned more in my relationship with God. However, it is plain to me now, that my current (since 2001) refrain from alcohol has been a very cleansing experience, as well as a God-inspired choice.

So, as you read this, I pray you receive it with an open mind, heart, and spirit. I beseech you in the name of Jesus Christ, that you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart regarding this matter. I also challenge you to test my thoughts against the scriptures or other references for any incorrectness or concepts taken out-of-context. Your thoughts are welcome.

1) It was prohibited for priests, prophets, and kings (Prov. 31:4-5): “[Aaron,] Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die–it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations—and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses”(Lev. 10:9). “for [John the Baptist] will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” (Luke 1:15). “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted” (Prov. 31:4-5). The significance of these verses is tremendous to the subject of alcohol, because we [Christians] are called priests, prophets (1 Cor.), and kings (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).

2) Jesus did not drink alcoholic wine: Jesus was/is our “high priest” according to Hebrews 2:17; 4:14, he did not drink alcoholic wine as many may believe, because it was forbidden (see previous scripture from #1) “…they gave Him wine to drink mingled with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink” (Mt. 27:34). We, also, are given the title of priests and kings. We are called to be light to the world (lead the world). We are prophets (not of future events, but divinely inspired proclaimers of the Word of God). And of course, most importantly, we are called to live like Christ –who also abstained from drinking alcohol.

I don’t believe He made alcoholic wine, either. Jesus’ miracle of turning water to “wine” (John 2) should be reconsidered as evidence that Jesus did not encourage alcoholic drinking. In verse 10, the headwaiter tastes the wine and says it is better wine than what they had already consumed. If it was alcoholic wine, they would have been too intoxicated to tell the difference. And being the Holy Son of God that He was/is, He would not have created something that would lead the intoxicated to sin (drunkenness). I don’t think Jesus would have told a drunken wedding party, “hey everybody, the drinks are on me! Time to get hammered!”

Another interesting thing to note about this passage is the six stone waterpots. These were used for ceremonial washing. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus uses these pots?! How fitting that he was sent to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! This miracle clearly points to purification and ultimately redemption…not a justification to drink.

3)  Filling yourself with alcohol vs. Holy Spirit –Ultimately, no matter how big or small the dosage, you are still choosing to give over control to a substance (alcohol affects the way we act and make decisions – how can we make godly decisions when our bodies our being controlled by a substance?) “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit…” (Eph. 5:18).

4) Alcohol consumption is unwise: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Prov 20:1).

5) Hurts your witness – many non-believers see Christians who drink as hypocrites. Even the unbeliever feels a natural (dare I say spiritual) disdain for drinking. So, when Christians accept a worldly habit, it makes it harder to point people to Christ, because if the Christian is so much like the world that you can’t tell the difference, why should I become a Christian?

6) Don’t cause a Brother to stumble (Romans 14:19-21): “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” This one is a little complicated, more on this passage later…

7) Alcohol is a poison at 100%: Drinking an alcoholic beverage is consenting to put a poison into your body. It has immediate, long-term, and detrimental effects on your body. A pure body is our spiritual act of worship. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom. 12:1). “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

  Alcohol in moderation: Is killing yourself in moderation any different than killing yourself all at once? Do I even need to give scripture references to the wrongness of murder/suicide?

9) Drinking for pleasure vs. health. “Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness” (Eccl. 10:17). The body needs sustenance. We drink to quench our thirst, not to “take it easy” or “loosen up” or even “relate to others.” The main reason to drink something is because you are thirsty. Because alcohol is a diuretic; it causes the body to increase its production of urine and makes the kidneys stop absorbing water, which makes you more thirsty. So, we can logically infer that people drink alcohol for the effect –not health reasons.

10) Health Benefits of Wine: There are many recent studies on the so-called “health benefits” of wine. However, all the “benefits” can be gained through healthier sources. Rather than justifying drinking on the basis that elements from the grape skin can be beneficial in small portions, or the antioxidants are healthy, we should consider the consequences and effects and ask ourselves, “is it worth it?” Also, most of the “benefits” are from studies that show that some elements in the wine are counteracting a different unhealthy habit. We should be taking better care of our bodies!

11) Alcohol is a Depressant: Alcohol has been found to lower serotonin and norepinephrine levels
(“Food and Mood,” Natural Medicine Chest, Conquer Depression Without Drugs, Let’s Live magazine, Jan. 2000). Alcohol temporarily blunts the effects of stress hormones. It typically leaves you feeling worse than ever because it depresses the brain and nervous system. (The Brain, “You Can Control Your Emotional Wellness,” USA WEEKEND, Jan. 3, 1999, Jim Thorton, health reporter)

12) Alcohol related Deaths: The Center for Disease Control (CDCP) statistics for 2006 show…Number of alcoholic liver disease deaths: 13,050; Number of alcohol-induced deaths, excluding accidents and homicides: 22,073; now add the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers and drunk abusers, and we’ve got quite an impact on the mortality rate in America. Anything that can cause such a tremendous and unfortunate casualty should be considered a danger to any person, let alone a Christian who is held to a higher standard. The world’s standard states that: “excessive drinking” is approximately 2 or more drinks/day for the average male and 1 or more drinks/day for the average female. (CDCP)

13) The Means to an End: Although alcohol is not always the cause of aggression, there is definitely a correlation between the two. It has shown to increase aggressive and violent behavior. An increase in aggression can lead to violence that inflicts physical, emotional, and in my opinion, spiritual harm. Of all the ways to enjoy life, why choose one that has so many harmful outlets?

14) Living Like the World: What alcohol represents (or is associated with…sex, drugs, partying, self-indulgency) today and how that affects Christian society and witness should be considered very seriously. By endorsing drinking, we are encouraging the lifestyle that is often a counterpart to it. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).

15) Words, Translations, and Contexts: We must consider the scripture in its context. There are several  translations of the word “wine” in the Bible. In particular, the one that refers to a fermented, alcoholic beverage is the Greek word, “oinos.” It is most often used in context with the sin of drunkenness and to the drink that the Roman soldiers drank and offered to Jesus (Jesus did not drink it).

16) Old Grape Juice: The process to make an alcoholic wine is not a natural process. Time alone will not automatically produce alcoholic wine from unrefrigerated grape juice.  Fermentation takes place through time, specific temperatures, oxygen levels, and added by-products.

17) Letting the world dictate what’s right and wrong: why is it that Christians are so quick to respond that they would never pick up a cigarette as opposed to a beer? Smoking is out of fashion now – drinking is in fashion…you’re cool if you drink…you’re not cool if you smoke. In so many ways we have let the world tell us what is right and wrong instead of seeking God’s truth about the matter.

18) Is this glorifying God or self? This is a question we should ask of every action we take as believers. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24). “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Is partaking in alcohol building the body of Christ up? Is it a good thing that God (in His Word) encourages me to do? Or is it something that I want for myself to make me feel better, have more fun, etc.?

19) Pros vs. Cons: I can give you several reasons, references, and scriptures that discourage or forbid drinking for the believer. Can you give me one good reason why you believe it is good for me and I should? I’ve found that most arguments to the non-drinking message are justifications rather than reasons to promote drinking.

In conclusion, I have found that drinking alcohol is not permissible (to the believer) under any circumstance. Nor is it wise for the unbeliever. I will also note that drunkenness is listed as unrighteous…“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). That is not to say that a believer who drinks is going to Hell, but rather that she is choosing a lifestyle that is in opposition to Christ.

In addition, I want to make clear my position on “freedom in Christ.” “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:13-14). “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer” (Rom. 5:1-2)? I believe that we are free from the shackles of sin, death, and eternal separation from God. I think it is wrong to look down on a man for indulging in wine or alcohol, because everyone has their own struggles. Do I believe that it is wrong to warn a brother who may walk into quicksand? Of course not! So, friends, this message is one of encouragement. If you are a slave to drunkenness, God can deliver you from it. If you are a social drinker, God has a better way for you to honor Him and glorify Him. If you abstain, be encouraged in your choice.

Many will disagree with my thoughts on this matter, or acquiesce to the common statement: “it is a matter of personal conviction.” However, I don’t see how one could ignore the scripture and abundant information indicating the wrongness, or in the least, dangers of drinking. That being said, I will look forward to your thoughts on the matter, and hope that you are encouraged by my studies to seek after the Truth for yourself. I will part with this final thought:

“There was life before my life, provision before my need. There was redemption before my sin. For the sake of the world, I thank the Lord that the Truth is not contingent on me.” –Derek Webb, “Truth.”

In God’s Love and Grace,

Mary