Drinking Alcohol
In the land of Israel wine was in common use. Water was scarce and often polluted. Therefore, wine and milk were common beverages.
In modern times, many people won't socialize unless there is alcohol. Even in the Bible, the use of wine at meals and on festive occasions was an accepted practice - Deut 14:26, Job 1:13, Psalm 104:15, Prov 3:9-10, 9:1-5, Eccl 9:7, Luke 7:33-34, John 2:1-11, 1 Tim 5:23.
Yes we are warned to exercise wisdom and caution. The negative side of drinking -
- drunkenness is forbidden by God (Luke 21:34, Romans 13:13-14, Eph 5:18)
- we are advised to stay away from drunkards (Prov 23:20-21)
- the priests were not allowed to drink wine when serving God (Lev 10:9; Ezek 44:21)
- John the Baptist, who had taken the vows of a Nazarite (Num 6:2-3; Judges 13:4,7,14; Luke 1:15), never drank wine or strong drink
- the qualification for an elder is that you are not given to much wine (1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 1:7)
- it mocks the one who consumes it (Prov 20:1)
- it causes discord and fights (Prov 20:1)
- the one who is distracted (i.e. led astray) by it is not wise (Prov 20:1, Eph 5:15-18)
- It deceives. It promises joy (e.g. TV commercials) but produces misery. Many people drink to escape their problems or stress. The problems are still there in the morning.
Drunkenness has been a problem (in many cases even among the people of God) since the days of Noah.
A. In the Old Testament. Isaiah 56:13; Joel 3:3; Micah 2:11; Nahum 1:10
- Noah. Genesis 9:21, 24
- Lot. Genesis 19:31-36
- Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:36-38
- Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1-17
- Amnon. 2 Samuel 13:28
- Elah. 1 Kings 16:9
- Ben-hadad. 1 Kings 20:16, 12
- Belshazzar and his princes, wives, and concubines. Daniel 5:1-6
B. In the early church. 1 Cor 5:11-13, 1 Thess 5:7-8
Why excessive drinking is a sin
A. It harms the body. (Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35; Isaiah 28:7, Hosea 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
B. It produces bondage in the life of the one it has ensnared
- Isaiah 5:11 ("till wine inflame (pursue, Lit.) them")
- Isaiah 28:1 ("overcome" = Lit., "smitten")
- Luke 21:34 ("overcharged" = "weighed down" or "overpowered")
- It is addicting. (Proverbs 23:35)
- It deceives (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-34) and "destroys the heart (or, understanding)" (Hosea 4:11).
C. It springs from a heart of rebellion (Deuteronomy 21:20)
D. It influences and affects others.
- It is a stumblingblock and bad example to those around us (Habakkuk 2:15-16; Romans 14:21)
- It stirs up strife and causes trouble. (Proverbs 23:29-30)
E. The effects of strong drink upon those who use it are extremely harmful. (2 Samuel 11:1-17, Proverbs 23:32)
- Spiritually and morally. (Genesis 19:31-36; Proverbs 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8, Habakkuk 2:15-16, 5)
- Physically. (Genesis 49:12; 1 Samuel 25:36-38; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35, Isaiah 19:14; 28:7; Hosea 7:5)
- Emotionally. (Proverbs 23:29-30, 35 (it dulls the senses) )
- Financially. (Proverbs 21:17; 23:21)
F. Scripture says that drunkenness is just cause for excommunication from the church. (1 Corinthians 5:11, 13)
G. God speaks a clear sound of warning against drunkards.
- Isaiah 5:11, 22; 28;1 ("Woe unto them ... ")
- Luke 21:34 ("Take heed ... " Beware!)
H. Scripture refers to drinking as one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21) and "lusts of the flesh" (Romans 13:13-14).
I. Jesus, Hannah, and the apostles were falsely accused of being "drunkards" (Matthew 11:19; 1 Samuel 1:12-16; Acts 2:13-15) as if it were an evil thing - which proves that it is.
J. The punishment for "partying" will be severe. (Isaiah 22:13-14)
- In the Old Testament, drunkenness was considered worthy of death. (Deut 21:20-21)
- The NT says that those who indulge in strong drink will not inherit the kingdom. (Luke 12:45-46, Matt 24:48-51, 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19, 21)
K. Newly saved individuals are expected to put aside the drunkenness of their past life. (1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:3-4)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a national survey of 10,904 high school students in grades 9-12. 52% of students had at least one drink of alcohol during the past 30 days. 33% of students had five or more drinks on at least one occasion during the past 30 days.
Our choice of friends always influences our moral decisions. (1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.")
Why abstain
- Our bodies are the temple of God (1 Cor 6:19-20). We are to honor God with our bodies (Rom 12:1).
- There are too many negative effects on the body to justify the positive, e.g. addiction, stomach & bowel diseases, brain damage, damage to nerves, heart & blood vessel diseases, sexual disorders, and bone & joint disorders. (from The Liver Centre)
- As this passage says, it's hard to consistently stop at the right level. Maybe you will most of the time, but never all the time. The temptation is always there to have another drink. No one intends to become an alcoholic (test - do you have a drink more than 5 days a week? Can you abstain for 2 days every week?)
- Drinking often is used to manage problems or stress. Instead of dealing with the problems in a constructive way, it masks the problem, and does not solve anything.
- As Christians, your drinking is looked at negatively by others, both Christians and non-Christians. It does not shine a light (Matt 5:16), but conforms to the world (Rom 12:2). We are to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess 5:21-22).
- It may be a stumbling block for new or weak Christians or those who have struggled with alcoholism (Rom 14:13-21).
- Even if you feel you have self-control with drinking, your children will do what you do, but won't have the control. (Matt 18:6
Bible Answer From: The Holypop Team
In modern times, many people won't socialize unless there is alcohol. Even in the Bible, the use of wine at meals and on festive occasions was an accepted practice - Deut 14:26, Job 1:13, Psalm 104:15, Prov 3:9-10, 9:1-5, Eccl 9:7, Luke 7:33-34, John 2:1-11, 1 Tim 5:23.
Yes we are warned to exercise wisdom and caution. The negative side of drinking -
- drunkenness is forbidden by God (Luke 21:34, Romans 13:13-14, Eph 5:18)
- we are advised to stay away from drunkards (Prov 23:20-21)
- the priests were not allowed to drink wine when serving God (Lev 10:9; Ezek 44:21)
- John the Baptist, who had taken the vows of a Nazarite (Num 6:2-3; Judges 13:4,7,14; Luke 1:15), never drank wine or strong drink
- the qualification for an elder is that you are not given to much wine (1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 1:7)
- it mocks the one who consumes it (Prov 20:1)
- it causes discord and fights (Prov 20:1)
- the one who is distracted (i.e. led astray) by it is not wise (Prov 20:1, Eph 5:15-18)
- It deceives. It promises joy (e.g. TV commercials) but produces misery. Many people drink to escape their problems or stress. The problems are still there in the morning.
Drunkenness has been a problem (in many cases even among the people of God) since the days of Noah.
A. In the Old Testament. Isaiah 56:13; Joel 3:3; Micah 2:11; Nahum 1:10
- Noah. Genesis 9:21, 24
- Lot. Genesis 19:31-36
- Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:36-38
- Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1-17
- Amnon. 2 Samuel 13:28
- Elah. 1 Kings 16:9
- Ben-hadad. 1 Kings 20:16, 12
- Belshazzar and his princes, wives, and concubines. Daniel 5:1-6
B. In the early church. 1 Cor 5:11-13, 1 Thess 5:7-8
Why excessive drinking is a sin
A. It harms the body. (Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35; Isaiah 28:7, Hosea 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
B. It produces bondage in the life of the one it has ensnared
- Isaiah 5:11 ("till wine inflame (pursue, Lit.) them")
- Isaiah 28:1 ("overcome" = Lit., "smitten")
- Luke 21:34 ("overcharged" = "weighed down" or "overpowered")
- It is addicting. (Proverbs 23:35)
- It deceives (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-34) and "destroys the heart (or, understanding)" (Hosea 4:11).
C. It springs from a heart of rebellion (Deuteronomy 21:20)
D. It influences and affects others.
- It is a stumblingblock and bad example to those around us (Habakkuk 2:15-16; Romans 14:21)
- It stirs up strife and causes trouble. (Proverbs 23:29-30)
E. The effects of strong drink upon those who use it are extremely harmful. (2 Samuel 11:1-17, Proverbs 23:32)
- Spiritually and morally. (Genesis 19:31-36; Proverbs 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8, Habakkuk 2:15-16, 5)
- Physically. (Genesis 49:12; 1 Samuel 25:36-38; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35, Isaiah 19:14; 28:7; Hosea 7:5)
- Emotionally. (Proverbs 23:29-30, 35 (it dulls the senses) )
- Financially. (Proverbs 21:17; 23:21)
F. Scripture says that drunkenness is just cause for excommunication from the church. (1 Corinthians 5:11, 13)
G. God speaks a clear sound of warning against drunkards.
- Isaiah 5:11, 22; 28;1 ("Woe unto them ... ")
- Luke 21:34 ("Take heed ... " Beware!)
H. Scripture refers to drinking as one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21) and "lusts of the flesh" (Romans 13:13-14).
I. Jesus, Hannah, and the apostles were falsely accused of being "drunkards" (Matthew 11:19; 1 Samuel 1:12-16; Acts 2:13-15) as if it were an evil thing - which proves that it is.
J. The punishment for "partying" will be severe. (Isaiah 22:13-14)
- In the Old Testament, drunkenness was considered worthy of death. (Deut 21:20-21)
- The NT says that those who indulge in strong drink will not inherit the kingdom. (Luke 12:45-46, Matt 24:48-51, 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19, 21)
K. Newly saved individuals are expected to put aside the drunkenness of their past life. (1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:3-4)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a national survey of 10,904 high school students in grades 9-12. 52% of students had at least one drink of alcohol during the past 30 days. 33% of students had five or more drinks on at least one occasion during the past 30 days.
Our choice of friends always influences our moral decisions. (1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.")
Why abstain
- Our bodies are the temple of God (1 Cor 6:19-20). We are to honor God with our bodies (Rom 12:1).
- There are too many negative effects on the body to justify the positive, e.g. addiction, stomach & bowel diseases, brain damage, damage to nerves, heart & blood vessel diseases, sexual disorders, and bone & joint disorders. (from The Liver Centre)
- As this passage says, it's hard to consistently stop at the right level. Maybe you will most of the time, but never all the time. The temptation is always there to have another drink. No one intends to become an alcoholic (test - do you have a drink more than 5 days a week? Can you abstain for 2 days every week?)
- Drinking often is used to manage problems or stress. Instead of dealing with the problems in a constructive way, it masks the problem, and does not solve anything.
- As Christians, your drinking is looked at negatively by others, both Christians and non-Christians. It does not shine a light (Matt 5:16), but conforms to the world (Rom 12:2). We are to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess 5:21-22).
- It may be a stumbling block for new or weak Christians or those who have struggled with alcoholism (Rom 14:13-21).
- Even if you feel you have self-control with drinking, your children will do what you do, but won't have the control. (Matt 18:6