Your opinion on drinking

[faithabides]

I just have one question to ask you all. What is your opinion on drinking alcohol. Should a Christian drink or should they stay away from it altogether. A lot of people think social drinking is ok, but to me it doesn't look so good when you see a member of your church coming out of the liquor store with a purchase or in the grocery store stocking up on beer for an upcoming holiday. It's just seems like there are very few people who don't drink. I was raised in a home where there was no alcohol and I'm doing the same with my two children. Not to say that I never tried alcohol when I was younger, but since I've been married, almost 16 years now, I haven't had the first bit of alchohol and I never crave it. And I always appreciated that about my parents. I know some people say, "well, what about when Jesus turned water into wine??", but there have been many arguments as to whether the wine Jesus made was fermented or not, that the kind he made was like grape juice. I don't know, I just wonder what Jesus would really have us to do, drink it or stay away from it??

 

[ChristianT]

If one participating in any type of alcohol consumption would cause a fellow believer (or potential believer) to stumble in their faith or cause another to sin, it is not desirable, almost so much so as sin itself. But it is not directly a sin.

Drunkenness however, even among secular audiences, is sinful and undesirable. But we are called as Christians to be "sober-minded" and to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

In my home, my mom drinks whenever she wants, but not usually excessively or normally. But I personally will never drink at all. I see no reason to drink alcohol as it is no better than a soda, juice, or any other drink. I also want to remain sober-minded and love God with my whole mind. This is not required of anyone else, this is just my commitment to God for my own behavior.

 

[DeaconDean]

The science of medicine has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that drinking a liitle wine is good not only for the digestive system, but it is good for the blood.

But the science of medicine should not override what scripture says.

What does scripture say?

It is not 100% crystal clear as one thinks.

Noah was a keeper of the vineyards.

There is the teaching that if it causes a brother (or sister) to stumble, one should refriam from it in thier presence.

Then there is Paul's letter to Timothy informing him that because of the lack of sufficent, safe, clean, drinking water, he could have a "little wine".

And then we have the teaching of Paul in the qualifications for bishops, elders, and deacons.

While bishops and elders should refraim from all alcohol, deacons on the other hand are not excluded.

I have no problem with taking my wife out to dinner and having one glass of wine.

I do have a problem with drinking to be a drunkard.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[dysert]

My understanding is that a "little" is ok (1 Tim. 5:23), but we are commanded not to get drunk (Eph. 5:18). And as I try to think of instances where folks did get drunk (e.g., Noah, Lot, Joseph, et al.), I think it always turned out bad. I don't drink at all because it's against my conscience, but a little seems to be biblically ok.

 

[savedfromdistruction]

I just have one question to ask you all. What is your opinion on drinking alcohol. Should a Christian drink or should they stay away from it altogether. A lot of people think social drinking is ok, but to me it doesn't look so good when you see a member of your church coming out of the liquor store with a purchase or in the grocery store stocking up on beer for an upcoming holiday. It's just seems like there are very few people who don't drink. I was raised in a home where there was no alcohol and I'm doing the same with my two children. Not to say that I never tried alcohol when I was younger, but since I've been married, almost 16 years now, I haven't had the first bit of alchohol and I never crave it. And I always appreciated that about my parents. I know some people say, "well, what about when Jesus turned water into wine??", but there have been many arguments as to whether the wine Jesus made was fermented or not, that the kind he made was like grape juice. I don't know, I just wonder what Jesus would really have us to do, drink it or stay away from it??

The truth is even the lost should stay away from it. As for a Christian all you have to ask is just how is drinking going to enhance my testimony or walk with Christ? Drinking is so unnecessary and will never bring you closer to the Lord, but it can hinder your walk. Stay away from alcohol.

 

[Rhamiel]

I have a glass of wine or a beer or a hard cider on occasion
I think it helps me relax and can help how I think about things

a few friends, a bottle of red wine, and an evening of conversation can be a wonderful thing

 

[miamited]

hi faith,

I encourage you in exactly what you are doing. I used to be a drinker and drug addict and 15 years ago when I gave my life to the Lord I was firmly convicted in my spirit that there was no good to come of either. I have had two sips of wine in all those 15 years and God blessed me and caused me to give up drugs altogether cold turkey with no problem. I was just nearly immediately convicted when I was born again that I couldn't be a witness for the Lord and do drugs and based on that I just desired to quit, and did!

Is a small amount of alcohol good for your body? Maybe, but I now know the great physician and if there's anything in my body that needs fixin', He'll take care of it for me.

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

 

[Hammster]

It's simple. You can drink, but don't get drunk. And don't let it become an idol.

 

[Bella Vita]

I think it is fine as long as you are not getting drunk and as long as you are not doing it around anyone who has a problem with drinking. I personally drink but only for special occasions I am a 3 drinks a year kinda girl.

Jesus drank at special occasions as a social norm to try and meet and fellowship with others. No different than Timothy being sent in circumsised it was no longer needed but Paul wanted him to be able to preach to these people and in order to do so he needed to fit in with the society. Social drinking not to get drunk as a social thing is fine as long as you do the things I said above^^.

 

[ApparitionXVII]

Jesus drank (not as a drunkard obviously)... but that's pretty clear cut that alcohol in and of itself is not a sin.

 

[Hupomone10]

All this talk about alcohol, I think I'll have a drink.

Oh, wait a minute! I'm a recovered alcoholic! I have 4 yrs 8 months without a drink. Better not.

It took me a long time into sobriety to come full circle to the point where I cautioned against drinking in general rather than just stating the fact that I personally didn't drink. That was probably due to the influence of AA where they are careful NOT to condemn the drinking done by a non-alcoholic.

One day I was listening to the radio to my favorite Christian talk show host, and he gave the following reasons a Christian shouldn't drink, and I kept them and adopted them:

1. No need: There is no need to drink alcoholic beverages today, as there was in Jesus’ time. In Jesus' day they used fermented wine for health reasons; drinking water often wasn't safe. Today we have preservation, refrigeration, and pasteurization. There are hundreds of beverage alternatives to drink that are completely safe. We don’t need alcoholic beverages.

2. Mind-altering drug: Alcohol is a mind-altering drug (see definitions below). So, to drink for relaxation or to get a buzz would be recreational drug use, regardless of whether I got drunk or not. Is this what I want to do or to teach the next generation, that recreational drug use in moderation is ok?

3. Harmful to society: According to statistics, 33% of all Americans will, at some point in their lives, have a problem with alcohol abuse. With such a high risk of potential damage, I don't need to endorse by my behavior a beverage that has that kind of track record for causing problems. (and one of my children might be in that 33%)

4. A questionable issue: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 establish guidelines for gray areas or questionable issues for believers. These passages explain that if what I do could make another brother stumble and it is not a necessity, then out of love and concern for the brother I should stay away from it.

5. Follow the leader: as a father and a Christian, I am to consider myself a leader; someone to look to for guidance. James 3:1 makes it clear that as teachers we will receive a stricter judgment. I think he meant leaders as well as teachers. Since 33% of all Americans will at some point have a problem with alcohol abuse, I may be setting one of my children up for failure by using alcohol.

Definitions (wikipedia)
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol.
Ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, although there are other types of alcohol, is a strong psychoactive drug with a depressant effect, and many societies regulate or restrict its sale and consumption. Countries place various legal restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks to young people…

psy•cho•ac•tive (from answers.com)
Affecting the mind or mental processes. Used of a drug

Other interesting facts, one from the George Barna research group that conducts research for Christian groups and denominations in particular.
George Barna Research statistics among churches:

Substance use. Alcohol is more commonly abused than other drugs. In total, 16% of adults - about 36 million people - have consumed enough alcohol to be intoxicated or considered legally drunk at least once during the last month. Those who admit to recent use of illegal, non-prescription drugs accounted for about 7 million adults (3%).

The study examined participation in a number of activities often referred to as “at-risk behaviors.” While none of them are common to a majority of adults in any given week, those behaviors (such as smoking, viewing pornography or gambling) involve tens of millions of people.

 

[His_disciple3]

The science of medicine has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that drinking a liitle wine is good not only for the digestive system, but it is good for the blood.

But the science of medicine should not override what scripture says.

What does scripture say?

It is not 100% crystal clear as one thinks.

Noah was a keeper of the vineyards.

There is the teaching that if it causes a brother (or sister) to stumble, one should refriam from it in thier presence.

Then there is Paul's letter to Timothy informing him that because of the lack of sufficent, safe, clean, drinking water, he could have a "little wine".

And then we have the teaching of Paul in the qualifications for bishops, elders, and deacons.

While bishops and elders should refraim from all alcohol, deacons on the other hand are not excluded.

I have no problem with taking my wife out to dinner and having one glass of wine.

I do have a problem with drinking to be a drunkard.

God Bless

Till all are one.

good post deac!! I second what deac just said, except drinking a glass at dinner For I have several ministries and was a Pastor at one time and several people still refer to me as their Pastor, so I am not given to any wine.

 

[His_disciple3]

The truth is even the lost should stay away from it. As for a Christian all you have to ask is just how is drinking going to enhance my testimony or walk with Christ? Drinking is so unnecessary and will never bring you closer to the Lord, but it can hinder your walk. Stay away from alcohol.

well if you miss church because of a belly ache and you didn't do as scriptures says to drink little wine for you stomach, then wouldn't not drinking be a hinder as well?

Proverbs 31:4-7
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
KJV

 

[faithabides]

hi faith,

I encourage you in exactly what you are doing. I used to be a drinker and drug addict and 15 years ago when I gave my life to the Lord I was firmly convicted in my spirit that there was no good to come of either. I have had two sips of wine in all those 15 years and God blessed me and caused me to give up drugs altogether cold turkey with no problem. I was just nearly immediately convicted when I was born again that I couldn't be a witness for the Lord and do drugs and based on that I just desired to quit, and did!

Is a small amount of alcohol good for your body? Maybe, but I now know the great physician and if there's anything in my body that needs fixin', He'll take care of it for me.

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

What a wonderful testimony!! May God bless you!

 

[faithabides]

All this talk about alcohol, I think I'll have a drink.

Oh, wait a minute! I'm a recovered alcoholic! I have 4 yrs 8 months without a drink. Better not.

It took me a long time into sobriety to come full circle to the point where I cautioned against drinking in general rather than just stating the fact that I personally didn't drink. That was probably due to the influence of AA where they are careful NOT to condemn the drinking done by a non-alcoholic.

One day I was listening to the radio to my favorite Christian talk show host, and he gave the following reasons a Christian shouldn't drink, and I kept them and adopted them:

1. No need: There is no need to drink alcoholic beverages today, as there was in Jesus’ time. In Jesus' day they used fermented wine for health reasons; drinking water often wasn't safe. Today we have preservation, refrigeration, and pasteurization. There are hundreds of beverage alternatives to drink that are completely safe. We don’t need alcoholic beverages.

2. Mind-altering drug: Alcohol is a mind-altering drug (see definitions below). So, to drink for relaxation or to get a buzz would be recreational drug use, regardless of whether I got drunk or not. Is this what I want to do or to teach the next generation, that recreational drug use in moderation is ok?

3. Harmful to society: According to statistics, 33% of all Americans will, at some point in their lives, have a problem with alcohol abuse. With such a high risk of potential damage, I don't need to endorse by my behavior a beverage that has that kind of track record for causing problems. (and one of my children might be in that 33%)

4. A questionable issue: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 establish guidelines for gray areas or questionable issues for believers. These passages explain that if what I do could make another brother stumble and it is not a necessity, then out of love and concern for the brother I should stay away from it.

5. Follow the leader: as a father and a Christian, I am to consider myself a leader; someone to look to for guidance. James 3:1 makes it clear that as teachers we will receive a stricter judgment. I think he meant leaders as well as teachers. Since 33% of all Americans will at some point have a problem with alcohol abuse, I may be setting one of my children up for failure by using alcohol.

Definitions (wikipedia)
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol.
Ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, although there are other types of alcohol, is a strong psychoactive drug with a depressant effect, and many societies regulate or restrict its sale and consumption. Countries place various legal restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks to young people…

psy•cho•ac•tive (from answers.com)
Affecting the mind or mental processes. Used of a drug

Other interesting facts, one from the George Barna research group that conducts research for Christian groups and denominations in particular.
George Barna Research statistics among churches:

Substance use. Alcohol is more commonly abused than other drugs. In total, 16% of adults - about 36 million people - have consumed enough alcohol to be intoxicated or considered legally drunk at least once during the last month. Those who admit to recent use of illegal, non-prescription drugs accounted for about 7 million adults (3%).

The study examined participation in a number of activities often referred to as “at-risk behaviors.” While none of them are common to a majority of adults in any given week, those behaviors (such as smoking, viewing pornography or gambling) involve tens of millions of people.

Great response. Thanks so much for sharing!!

 

[renewed21]

If one participating in any type of alcohol consumption would cause a fellow believer (or potential believer) to stumble in their faith or cause another to sin, it is not desirable, almost so much so as sin itself. But it is not directly a sin.

Drunkenness however, even among secular audiences, is sinful and undesirable. But we are called as Christians to be "sober-minded" and to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

But I personally will never drink at all. I see no reason to drink alcohol as it is no better than a soda, juice, or any other drink. I also want to remain sober-minded and love God with my whole mind. This is not required of anyone else, this is just my commitment to God for my own behavior.

Well said. Another point, I drink a beer ar two every once in a while. I do not drink these for the alcohol, I do so for the taste. I like the taste of a well crafted beer. As for wine, it all tastes the same to me, so I dont drink it.

Therefore alcohol consumption doesn't automatically equal drinking to be "buzzed".

 

[Hammster]

I enjoy a glass of wine every now and again. I used to not like it. But I appreciate it much more now than I'm older. Probably it's because when I was younger, all I could afford was Boones Farm and Mad Dog.

 

[renewed21]

I enjoy a glass of wine every now and again. I used to not like it. But I appreciate it much more now than I'm older. Probably it's because when I was younger, all I could afford was Boones Farm and Mad Dog.

Hammster, you told me that when you were younger, you were a Schlitz Malt Liquor man.

 

[sheina]

A long journey begins with the first step. The road to drunkenness/alcoholism begins with the first drink. Drinking alcohol is what the world does. Are Christians supposed to be "like the world"?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

BTW, it is NOT the alcohol content in the wine that is good for the heart...it is a product produced by the grape, called Reservatrol.

Resveratrol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you never take that first drink, you will never have to be concerned about getting drunk.

 

[Hammster]

If you don't plan to get drunk, and can exhibit self-control, you don't have to worry, either.