Can Christians smoke and drink beer?

Daniel Marsh

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Getting buzzed is the main reason for drinking. It's getting drunk (which is far passed being buzzed) which is going to far.

Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

It's that buzz that helps the dying feel better, and the impoverished to forget his poverty and misery for awhile.

Jesus drank wine which has alcohol which was not a sin.

1 Corinthians 11:21

New International Version
for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.

This shows that the wine back then was not just grape juice.

Isaiah 25:6
Parallel Verses
New International Version
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines.

God himself will have a feast with aged wine.
 
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Daniel Marsh

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A christian's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. That's number one, doing drugs is spoiling that temple..

As I recall the only way to spoil a temple was to bring pagan idols into it. How exactly does spoiling a Christian's body work?

Do you use prescribed medications for pain, blood pressure and so on?
 
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Daniel Marsh

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romans 14
13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others.

19 So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.
 
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Kenny'sID

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The beer, just for the sake of making merry, if you don't get drunk, it's allowed, but remember things that are allowed may not necessarily be good for us. I think alcohol has it's place...take the man/woman who lost their spouse and are having a hard time dealing with it, I can't see where it would be a problem for them to get drunk, and often if need be, but they will have to get over it eventually. I don't think getting drunk is a good idea at all unless it's something like I just mentioned, but I don't think it's necessarily a sin either, as that does not equate to *being* a drunkard or a perpetual drunk. But whether it be just a little to relax or for medicinal purposes in extreme cases, one thing can lead to another, and unless we have the necessary self control, it could easily lead to being a drunkard. I think that is fairly biblical...as I see it anyway.

As for ciggs, I'd consider that an addictive drug, and I'm sure most know by now that is considered sorcery, at least as I understand it, and I have looked into it. I would love to smoke, but I'm afraid too, and I don't think the amount matters. Yes, the more you smoke the more harm to the body so it could matter in that light, but since it goes so much further than that, it would be like saying, "can I just do a little coke" or whatever.

that's coming from someone who has done a lot of both throughout their lifetime. Though how I did it was common, I would say I could have definitely been considered a drunk. I don't even like alcohol now, so not a problem to me, but those ciggs... again, if I could I would, and if I could possibly justify them, I would, but I cannot.
 
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ArmenianJohn

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Yes, I am in a "really Greek Orthodox Church" ... ;)

Most of our parishioners were born in Greece. A good many still spend a good bit of time there. Greek is spoken at coffee hour. And one of the first things I saw was at a makaria - everyone drank, including the priest. No one got drunk. And while I imagine surely some of them smoke, I've never seen any of them do so (I usually see them mostly on Church grounds.)

But I wasn't reporting what happens at my Church, though it actually follows the advice I offered. Drinking is NOT prohibited by Scripture, but getting drunk is. Cigarettes aren't good for you and IMO serve no useful purpose worth defending.
Interesting! :)

I've got (as you might imagine) some Greeks in my family so i'm just going on all the Greek churches i've been to with them. It's like our (Armenian) Church in terms of the way people act and interact. It's interesting to me that they don't smoke on the Church property - at my Church (and the Greek Churches i've been to) they do, they even have ashtrays (well, smoker "posts" these days) for them. As for drinking, I think that's much more toned down when it's done at church, in my experience with both Greek and Armenian churches, but it's still done. And if it's a wedding or something, look out! lol
 
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~Anastasia~

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Interesting! :)

I've got (as you might imagine) some Greeks in my family so i'm just going on all the Greek churches i've been to with them. It's like our (Armenian) Church in terms of the way people act and interact. It's interesting to me that they don't smoke on the Church property - at my Church (and the Greek Churches i've been to) they do, they even have ashtrays (well, smoker "posts" these days) for them. As for drinking, I think that's much more toned down when it's done at church, in my experience with both Greek and Armenian churches, but it's still done. And if it's a wedding or something, look out! lol

I heard when the Church was first built, they would smoke out front. Then again I heard for a time, the women came to Church and the husband's would sit at a coffee house or something across the street. I don't know when/what that was from - maybe not our parish because there's a huge old insurance building across the street, and homes otherwise.

Anyway ...

Yes, I've seen them enjoy themselves certainly. And probably a few drinks? I don't know, I never counted, and I'm sure like people anywhere folks have different tolerances. I know especially at a wedding or big party, there are lots of bottles of wine, and ouzo (sp?) is there also. Strong stuff. I usually just sip a single glass. But I've never seen any of them get drunk. Maybe some do at home or wherever, but it's not it's a problem for anyone who comes to Church that I know about (and everyone is so close, you do tend to learn of problems).

I see no problem with how they are. But I will say, my background is originally Baptist, and while I find the absolute zero-tolerance for alcohol to be unscriptural, it's what I grew up with. And at the makaria when I was a brand-new inquirer, I saw Father in his cassock toss back a shot of ouzo ... it was just sort of a mental short-circuit for me at first, lol.
 
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fm107

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As I recall the only way to spoil a temple was to bring pagan idols into it. How exactly does spoiling a Christian's body work?

Physical sin impacts the body in a negative way. It really isn't that difficult to understand that is it?

Do you use prescribed medications for pain, blood pressure and so on?

Medication is a good thing. Drugs in the sense I'm speaking about is a bad thing. Isn't that obvious?
 
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roamer_1

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But I will say, my background is originally Baptist, and while I find the absolute zero-tolerance for alcohol to be unscriptural, it's what I grew up with.

I grew up in much the same atmosphere, albeit Reformed rather than Baptist.

And while I agree with you that zero-tolerance is not scriptural, I can respect the work of the churches that preach it - As the son of an alcoholic, I understand every aspect of the damage alcohol can do in a person, and in a family.

I am pro-alcohol on this thread. I am *all for* having a little fun now and then. I think it relieves stress and adds color to the mundane nature of life. But I also want to temper my writings here with all caution:

Folks in danger of abusing alcohol should not use the words in this thread to grant themselves license. And while I like a good party now and then, I am not advocating for the 'party scene'.
If alcohol is causing the least bit of trouble in your life, it is best to walk away from it.
 
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I grew up in much the same atmosphere, albeit Reformed rather than Baptist.

And while I agree with you that zero-tolerance is not scriptural, I can respect the work of the churches that preach it - As the son of an alcoholic, I understand every aspect of the damage alcohol can do in a person, and in a family.

I am pro-alcohol on this thread. I am *all for* having a little fun now and then. I think it relieves stress and adds color to the mundane nature of life. But I also want to temper my writings here with all caution:

Folks in danger of abusing alcohol should not use the words in this thread to grant themselves license. And while I like a good party now and then, I am not advocating for the 'party scene'.
If alcohol is causing the least bit of trouble in your life, it is best to walk away from it.
I agree.

I think I actually said that in my first post on this topic, which was some time back.

But I certainly agree that even though alcohol isn't forbidden, that doesn't mean that should be a license to sin, and some folks are better staying away entirely.

:)
 
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FireDragon76

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Can Christians smoke and drink beer?
Maybe 1 package of cigarette per day, 1 pint of beer per day.
Is that allowable?

Yes. Though smoking cigarettes is a foolish thing to do, in general. I would not recommend it. Everything is permitted, but not everything is beneficial.

Drinking a beer or two a day is OK, too. I don't drink at the moment for health reasons (gastritis), but it is not a sin.
 
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Daniel Marsh

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1 Corinthians 9:25
And every man that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

1 Corinthians 9:25
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

It all boils down to, not becoming addictived or held in bondage by something other than Jesus.
 
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W2L

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I dont understand why people say that smoking destroys the temple. The only time the bible refers to destroying Gods temple it is talking about fornication. How does fornication physically destroy the body? It doesnt, so this destruction must be spiritual not physical. Therefore the scripture is not talking about physical destruction at all, and so smoking doesnt apply to that scripture. People seem to be taking the scripture out of context when they use it to condemn smoking.
 
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Andrew77

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Can Christians smoke and drink beer?
Maybe 1 package of cigarette per day, 1 pint of beer per day.
Is that allowable?

I don't see any place in the Bible which says that doing either of these things is 'sinful'.

I do see that it says you shouldn't be drunk. If you are getting smashed with alcohol, then you should stop. Drink responsibly.

As for smoking, there is nothing in the Bible about smoking, but.... you should likely stop simply because G-d expects us to be wise. There is nothing.... nothing wise about smoking. Nothing.

If I told you to take money... literally money, roll it up into sticks, stick it in your mouth, and light one end on fire, and then suck on it until it's gone... you and everyone would think I was crazy.

Well.... what exactly is the difference? You are taking money and burning it... buying some garbage to stick in your mouth, light one end on fire, and suck on it until your money is going.

That is not wise.

Add to that the fact it isn't good for your health.... and no, not wise. Not wise at all. G-d expects us to be wise in how we spend our money. And to be honest, I often find that people who choose to not be wise with their money, often are not blessed with more money.

Not a Christian Doctrine, or Biblical law.... just that's what I've seen. People that are not wise, often end up stuck in life.

So just be clear.... you can drink beer all you want....do not get drunk. Limit yourself.

And no, there is no sin of smoking... but it's not wise, and G-d doesn't bless the foolish.

So there you go. That's my advice.
 
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ewq1938

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It doesnt, so this destruction must be spiritual not physical. Therefore the scripture is not talking about physical destruction at all, and so smoking doesnt apply to that scripture. People seem to be taking the scripture out of context when they use it to condemn smoking.

Smoking kills most people that smoke though so it's something that does cause physical destruction...that's common knowledge.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Alcohol is allowed, being a drunkard is not. A drunkard meaning someone who is addicted to alcohol, a perpetual user who often or every time they drink, they do so to the point of being drunk.

However, I believe that in no way says one cannot get drunk on rare occasion. I would not be doing that regularly still, but I'm saying that in times of our lives when we have trouble dealing, loss of a loved one, things like that, things of the "broken hear" variety, one gets drunk a few times to forget/get through a tough time, fine, as long as they don't stay in that state.

It is also biblical for those sick and or dying to use alcohol, and if I'm not mistaken, the "Poor at heart" as well, something that backs up what I just said about heart broken people tying one on.

These things are a lot like use of narcotics for temporary pain, use them, for what, as least I think, God designed them for, to not only feel better when we are hurt (the euphoria factor), but to relieve pain, a perfect drug for some situations. The heart can hurt as badly, if not not worse than our physical body, and God has seen to it there are things to help us along for both types of pain, but they should be used with the utmost of discretion.

That said, The bible also says we should not drink at all. Not that it's a sin in moderation, but it's just not a good idea for the Christian. The pint a day in the OP, not a problem, at least as far as sin itself goes. The ciggs? we'll get to that in a moment.

FWIW, I used to drink plenty, but just don't happen to like it anymore, even a little. I smoked for 45 or so yrs. I would love to be allowed by God to smoke still.

The cigarettes? First, if people/Christians want to smoke or do anything for that matter, we'll will find a way to make it OK in our minds. Those are the type that may tend to go for the faith only doctrine, because it allows us to do what we want, not what God wants, a complete delusion of a doctrin.

As far as not smoking not being in the bible, not partaking of one of the many slow killing poisons are also not mentioned in the bible. The bible doesn't say not to drink hemlock . See, there is a point we have to use our God given common sense, and as I mentioned, if someone wants to do something bad enough, they will drop the common sense/do whatever it takes to justify it.

Some say suicide is a real problem with God, a problem to the point of eternal damnation. I'm torn on that, but if you believe that, how can you smoke in good conscience?

Those were just a few comments before I get into the real meat of the issue, in that the bible "does" mention drugs. Instead of repeating myself, here is a link to something I have believed is a fact since the 70's. One can complicate it in their minds but it's really very simple, strait forward, and you can verify it for yourself.. Also remember nicotine is not only a drug, but a very addicted/powerful drug. And honestly, from someone who has used most drugs over the years, ciggs are kind of a rip off, the buzz is not much at all but the cost can be tremendous. Bad deal.

Anyway, here's that link on the bible and drugs, and I should add I didn't post a lot of scripture in the preceding for the sake of time and many know what I say is Biblical already, but if you need that, just let me know. :) :

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sorcery.html
 
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