Where to draw the line with alcohol?

[ByTheSpirit]

For those who do not agree that Christians should consume alcoholic beverages:

Do you use cough syrup? Or any other product that contans alcohol? If so how do you decide which is acceptable and not, because if you didn't know most if not all OTC cough syrups contain alcohol?

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

God's Law only states that alcohol should not be consumed in the sanctuary.

And that the Nazarite (holy follower of God) should abstain. God does not ask that common or good man abstain from alcohol. Indeed, alcohol is a gift from God that man has been enjoying for thousands of years! To abstain from it, is to abstain from some of the abundance God wants to give you.

However, abstinence in many forms, including alcohol, comes naturally as you grow closer to God, becoming more holy. And I think this is where this misguided rule by some religious groups comes from...

 

[K2K]

If we look to the Law, we follow the Law. If we look to God, we fullfil the Law by following the instructions from God to us personally.

As for me, before I knew the Lord I did drink a little, but not much. I was a surfer in So. California. All my friends drank more that me, but I sometimes drank with them. I used to budget my money and started by giving myself $20 a month to spend on Alcohol, but I didn't spend that much. So I change the budget to $10 a month, but didn't spend that much either. Still, when God came into my life about 15 years ago I simply stopped drinking alchol. I don't care if other drink around me, I just lost all desire to drink. I think I mostly did it before so as to be included with the group. Now that I know God I don't tend to do think just so I will be included with the group.

So if I wind up at a party, event, or something where alchol is available and being consumed, I usually just pick up a soda because I have always like the taste of Coke or Pepsi more than alchol. One of things about freedom in Christ is the ability to drink a Coke because you don't feel the need to have to conform to a group.

Do we really like alchol more that soda? Do we really like being out of our mind than in control of our thoughts? Christ sets us free, and isn't it a freedom to make good choices. When is alchol a good choice? So it's not about the Law, but about the freedom to make good choices.

So then it is not at all about drawing a line, or rule in which to obey. It is about Wisdom. So tell me, what is the wisdom in drinking alchol?

So I don't really like the idea of saying, 'where do we draw the line'? It make the focus about having laws and rules to abide by, instead of listening to Wisdom, and having freedom in Christ.

Prov 8:1 Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?

Prov 8:4 To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.

So it's not about drawing lines, it's about listening with our spiritual ears. Does wisdom tell you to drink alchol? Why would He? Wisdom has a reason for all He speaks. And doesn't Understanding make sure you know the reasons.

Prov 7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sisiter," And call understanding your intimate freind;

Prov 8:14 Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.

Is 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given... And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor...

So seek and listen to Him, and if He tells you to drink, do it, but why would He tell you to dring? He will surely give you understanding, or is it understanding whose name is called Wonderful Counselor who you are hearing from?

So I don't drink anymore because I don't have wisdom and understanding that says that I should. Perhaps not all know Him and His Holy Spirit that He sends.

Now let me tell you of one exception. In the last 15 years since I have known Him, I had one shot glass size drink of wine. He specifically asked me to get a bottle of wine for the passover. He specifically asked me to drink a small glass of wine in remberance of the blood He shed at the cross. So He had a reason. Then He had me give the bottle away.

We don't follow the Law, rules, or draw lines to not go over. We follow the voice of Him our Lord!!!

 

[Gospel Guy]

Do you use cough syrup? Or any other product that contans alcohol? If so how do you decide which is acceptable and not, because if you didn't know most if not all OTC cough syrups contain alcohol?

Why would a healed man need cough syrup, or any other man-made medicine??? Jesus took coughing upon Himself so we would not have to sit around coughing and could be healed and free from that infirmity.

If it's something that comes from nature that God put here, no problem as God provided all the nourishment we need naturally. At least this doesn't damage the body, but provides nourishment.

But, anything containing alcohol should not be put in to the Temple of the Holy Ghost (our body) as it is a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent) which is harmful to the body.

We should not knowingly and willingly put harmful substances in to our bodies... that is IF we obey scripture and present our body as a livinf sacrifice unto the Lord.

Glad this is all cleared up...

 

[BenAdam]

Why would a healed man need cough syrup, or any other man-made medicine. If it's something that comes from nature that God put here, no problem as God provided all the nourishment we need naturally.

But, anything containing alcohol should not be put in to the Temple of the Holy Ghost (our body) as it is a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent) which is harmful to the body.

We should not knowingly and willingly put harmful substances in to our bodies... that is IF we obey scripture and present our body as a livinf sacrifice unto the Lord.

Glad this is all cleared up...

Do you eat grilled meats or sit by a wood fire?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Do you eat grilled meats or sit by a wood fire?

He'll probably say no

 

[Gospel Guy]

Do you eat grilled meats or sit by a wood fire?

I know, I know... if I breath it is damaging to the body.

That's over in the ditch on the other side... surely there will be some that suggest I just go on to Heaven to avoid damaging my body so they won't have to see any more of my posts

 

[BenAdam]

I know, I know... if I breath it is damaging to the body.

That's over in the ditch on the other side... surely there will be some that suggest I just go on to Heaven to avoid damaging my body so they won't have to see any more of my posts

Not over the ditch at all. Many health advocates state that avoiding grilled meats is a must due to carcinogens produced by the grilling process. Burning wood gives of dioxins, another known carcinogen.

Yet, how did they cook their food in the past? How did they prepare the meat that was sacrificed? They drank wine which contains alcohol.

 

[Gospel Guy]

Not over the ditch at all. Many health advocates state that avoiding grilled meats is a must due to carcinogens produced by the grilling process. Burning wood gives of dioxins, another known carcinogen.

Yet, how did they cook their food in the past? How did they prepare the meat that was sacrificed? They drank wine which contains alcohol.

I do cook out occasionally... using organic brickettes.

And, no in Bible times they did not drink alcoholic wine as we see today. They had either freshly produced grape juice which they called wine, or they made a paste to keep the fruit of the vine long term that they would put just a small amount in to water and make grape juice which they called wine.

They still do this throughout the middle east today as it has been done for thousands of years. Jesus did not make alcoholic wine so folks could get drunk... because if He did, the He was responsible for enabling others to commit sin, which would be a sin.

 

[BenAdam]

I do cook out occasionally... using organic brickettes.

And, no in Bible times they did not drink alcoholic wine as we see today. They had either freshly produced grape juice which they called wine, or they made a paste to keep the fruit of the vine long term that they would put just a small amount in to water and make grape juice which they called wine.

They still do this throughout the middle east today as it has been done for thousands of years. Jesus did not make alcoholic wine so folks could get drunk... because if He did, the He was responsible for enabling others to commit sin, which would be a sin.

Revisionist nonsense.

 

[Gospel Guy]

Revisionist nonsense.

OK, please... hop in yo time machine, and go back to the wedding feast Jesus Christ was at changing water in to "wine"... grab you a sample, and zip back to modern day times so this sample can be tested in a lab.

And, please post scientific PROOF that the "wine" Jesus made was alcoholic wine like we see being sold today.

Going by what the scriptures say about strong drink, and going by the knowledge we have today that alcohol is very, very bad for the liver and the brain... it is in fact sinful for a Christian to put this stuff in their body.

So, unless you have proof that Jesus enabled others to get drunk which would be a sin... it's best to go with what scripture says about strong drink and simply abstain.

 

[Boidae]

OK, please... hop in yo time machine, and go back to the wedding feast Jesus Christ was at changing water in to "wine"... grab you a sample, and zip back to modern day times so this sample can be tested in a lab.

And, please post scientific PROOF that the "wine" Jesus made was alcoholic wine like we see being sold today.

Going by what the scriptures say about strong drink, and going by the knowledge we have today that alcohol is very, very bad for the liver and the brain... it is in fact sinful for a Christian to put this stuff in their body.

So, unless you have proof that Jesus enabled others to get drunk which would be a sin... it's best to go with what scripture says about strong drink and simply abstain.

It is sinful if done in excess.

Actually, red wine has been proven good for your heart.

 

[BenAdam]

OK, please... hop in yo time machine, and go back to the wedding feast Jesus Christ was at changing water in to "wine"... grab you a sample, and zip back to modern day times so this sample can be tested in a lab.

And, please post scientific PROOF that the "wine" Jesus made was alcoholic wine like we see being sold today.

Going by what the scriptures say about strong drink, and going by the knowledge we have today that alcohol is very, very bad for the liver and the brain... it is in fact sinful for a Christian to put this stuff in their body.

So, unless you have proof that Jesus enabled others to get drunk which would be a sin... it's best to go with what scripture says about strong drink and simply abstain.

Prove that it was non-alcoholic. The teetotaler revisionist claptrap claims that wine isn't wine, but grape juice. The burden is on those seeking to redefine, not on those that accept the traditional meaning.

History bears it out, jewish tradition bears it out, scripture bears it out, common sense bears it out. Oops sorry for the last one.

 

[BenAdam]

Bad for the liver?

Don't ever take a Tylenol.

Bad for brain?

Don't ever play a contact sport.

Live in a plastic bubble and talk about how nothing unclean passes your lips.

 

[Gospel Guy]

History bears it out, jewish tradition bears it out, scripture bears it out, common sense bears it out. Oops sorry for the last one.

No, actually history does not show they drank alcoholic wine as the tradition by those in the middle east in Jesus day was to not drink alcohol. Yes, there are some in Jewish history that like alcohol... but these are the people that adhere to the talmud before they do scripture and are the people that Jesus warned us about.

So, if you want to ignore the warnings scripture gives concerning strong drink and want to consider it to be "common sense" to drink alcohol with the seeker sensitive position to be led by the flesh instead of allowing the leadership of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ...

Then, don't let me cramp yo styles... by all means, drink up

Live in a plastic bubble and talk about how nothing unclean passes your lips.

... and, then there is off in the ditch!

 

[Tobias]

So at the wedding in Cana, with Jesus' first miracle, he didn't actually turn the water into wine? He simply turned huge pots of water into extremely diluted wine, by only changing about a cupful of each pot into wine? That sounds like something any stage magician could do!

 

[BenAdam]

So, if you want to ignore the warnings scripture gives concerning strong drink and want to consider it to be "common sense" to drink alcohol with the seeker sensitive position to be led by the flesh instead of allowing the leadership of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ...

You mean like this little tidbit here?

Deut 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:
26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

 

[Gospel Guy]

So at the wedding in Cana, with Jesus' first miracle, he didn't actually turn the water into wine? He simply turned huge pots of water into extremely diluted wine, by only changing about a cupful of each pot into wine? That sounds like something any stage magician could do!

If He did turn it in to alcoholic wine... then He was providing everyone with plenty of opportunity to get drunk.

Did you know the Bible teaches that to get drunk / intoxicated is a sin?

It's actually listed in the New Testament as one of the sins that will cause those that do this to not go to Heaven!

 

[BenAdam]

If He did turn it in to alcoholic wine... then He was providing everyone with plenty of opportunity to get drunk.

Did you know the Bible teaches that to get drunk / intoxicated is a sin?

It's actually listed in the New Testament as one of the sins that will cause those that do this to not go to Heaven!

So in providing the fish and loaves, He provided an opportunity for gluttony?

 

[Gospel Guy]

So in providing the fish and loaves, He provided an opportunity for gluttony?

... and, then there is off in the ditch!

What's next? In providing air to breath, He is providing opportunity to get to much oxygen er somethin?