What does the Bible say about Alcohol/Drinking/Drunkenness?!?!
The reason we feel a sense of frustration dealing with the topic of alcohol as Christians is because of verses from the book of Psalms...
Psalm 4:7 - "grain & new wine around"
Psalm 60:3 - "wine that makes us stagger"
Psalm 75:8 - "foaming wine mixed with spices"
Psalm 104:15 - "wine that gladens the heart of man"
Are alcoholic beverages a blessing? or are they a curse?In the Old Testament wine was included in produce
See.. (Deut. 7:13 & 11:14 / 2 Kings 18:32 / Jer. 31:12)
They drank wine at feasts, given & praised by the psalmists as a gift
See...(1 Sam. 25:18 / 2 Sam. 16:1)
Wine was also used as an offering to God
See...(Exod. 29:40 / Lev. 23:13 / Num. 15:7)
Priests however were not to drink from the altar
See...(Lev. 10:9)
In the Old Testament the vineyard portrayed Israel
See...(Isa. 5:1-7)
&
In the New Testament Jesus is the vine that believers draw strength to produce fruit
See...(John 15:1-11 / Gal. 5:22 & 23)
For those celebrating the wedding @ Cana wine was a blessing, heightening the pleasure of a joyous social occasion.
See...(John 2:1-11)
It is helpful for us to know that the wine drunk with meals in Bible times was characteristically diluted with between 3 & 7 times as much water. So therefore while we are starting to sin that is not a sin to drink alcohol as stated in the Bible IT IS A SIN TO BE DRUNK. So hard alcohol as a Christian should not be consumed because it will get us intoxicated much faster.
The principle effect of alcohol is on the brain. Significantly, alcohol is accumulated in the blood and is not transferred to other tissues, and a single drink will leave traces in the blood for about four hours. The initial effect of alcohol is a sense of release and well-being. As alcohol content increases, internal checks on impulsive behavior are removed. Skills deteriorate. Accuracy as well as speed of response are impaired, along with judgment. It's not surprising with this said, that a major factor is examplified by the fact that more than half the automobile accidents in the United States resulting in death or serious injury is the alcohol or drug impairment of one of the drivers.
In some Christians' minds there simply is no question. In a society like ours in America, in which so many things that are against God are associated with drinking, Christians should not drink. PERIOD.
THIS IS NOT MY OPINION BUT YET THE OPINION OF MOST OF THE CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA!!
My opinion
- Should i get drunk?
NO, absolutely not, that is not biblical
- Should i drink if it causes my brother/sister in Christ to stumble?
NO, absolutely not, that is not biblical
- Should i love alcoholic beverages? and basically lust after them OVER my love for God/Jesus?
NO, absolutely not, that is not biblical
- Should i have a glass of wine/beer with dinner?
My answer here would depend on my culture, community
* Would i be breaking a social Christian standard expected of me in the area that i am in at the time?
- Maybe? I would because drinking is not a sin yet only drunkenness
Yet i wouldn't based on the situation of my community, society, and standards are that are expected of me as a Christian in that context which brings us to....
- Maybe? But i also I wouldn't because i could possibly cause my brother/sister in Christ to stumble (probably why the societal Christian standard expected was sub-conciously placed there anyways because of the alcohols negativity in causing one another to stumble).
Just because i biblically see no problem with drinking yet only drunkenness, this could bring us to the topic of alcoholism which i will now address in the next section of this blog.
(If you are a Christian that looks at alcohol as a 110% NO, then your probably wanting to defend my view for drinking is NOT bad if your culture, community, social standard can call for it) 
An alcoholic is not a person who drinks!
- BUT a person who has become physically or psychologically dependent on alcohol. Four patters have been suggested.
- The problem drinker = who could stop if he so chose.
- The periodic drinker = who is psycholigcally dependent and may stop for a time.
- The constant drinker = who must always have a significant level of alochol in his blood, and suffers withdrawal symptoms when he tires to stop.
- The interrupted drinker = who may maintain long periods of abstintence, but then returns to drinking.
Alcoholics Anonymous gives the following list of Thirteen steps to Alcoholism to help an individual diagnose him or herself.
1) You have begun to drink
2) You start having blackouts
3) You find liquor means more to you than to others
4) You consistently drink more than you meant to
5) You start excusing yourself for drinking
6) You start taking eye-openers in the morning
7) You begin to drink alone
8) You become hostile when you drink
10) You know deep remorse- and deeper resentment
11) You feel deep, nameless anxiety
12) You realize drinking has you licked
13) You get help, or go under
These steps are arranged in progression. Typically, it is only when people reach the 12th step that they are willing to get outside help from themselves. An alcoholics family also needs help. Drunkenness will destry relationships w/one's spouse and their children, and the ones they love may be unknowingly react in ways tha make it more difficult to solve the issue at hand.
Most Churches and communities will offer programs to help people who struggle with the drunkenness of alcoholics. But as other addictions that enslave the human soul, SELF-HELP PROVIDES NO REAL RELIABLE SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE AT HAND. See Romans 6:16. This verse focuses on the basic issue. The basic issue is that any sin can and will enslave fallen humans and alcoholism masters millions in our society. The passage in Romans goes on and says in verse 21 "What benefit did you reap at the time from the things that you are now ashamed of?". Only in turning to God, and committing ourselves to obey him, can we find true freedom: then as stated in Romans 6:22 "The benefit you reap leads to holiness". It would be wrong to suggest that your salvation, or commitment, brings automatic release from addiction. The process of release is often long. Release also takes the understand and support of loved ones and friends. But in Christ we do have an alternative to alcoholism and drunkenness: we have Jesus who free's us for a new life that we can begin to live for him...ASAP.
If we see ourselves falling into the love of alcohol and drunkenness, while it is not a sin to drink alcohol as stated in the bible, unless your surrounding call for otherwise....
THEN there's hope! Jesus died for our sins giving us grace from God & as stated in the bible in various places listed above becoming drunk is a sin.
No comments:
Post a Comment