Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > reallysaved > From Where I Sit |
|
Is It Okay for Christians to Drink Alcohol? |
||||
4/1/2006 8:01 am |
The Word of God speaks about drunkeness not drinking. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk, with wine, wherein, is excess- but be filled with the Spirit;  Elizabeth
| |||
4/1/2006 8:07 am |
I think this is an area where each person needs to decide that for themselves, with the exception of drunkeness. I think these are some of the areas to consider; 1. If you think it's sin, it is and you should avoid it. 2. If it would cause someone to be tempted to sin or sin, it should be avoided, ie- around someone who has cleaned themself up from an addiction to alcohol. 3. If it's keeping you from doing what you know you should do. (Going on Sat and not being able to get to church on Sun.) Personally I do drink occasionally, but I don't drink when I'm around my sister who is a recovering alcoholic. I don't use it as a crutch as escapism. I may have a glass of wine for dinner if I go out but that's about it.
| |||
4/1/2006 9:01 am |
I think it's OK to drink, as long as I don't get drunk. I know some don't see it that way. A couple of years ago some fellow youth group leaders and I went to the local rodeo here. There were 5 of us and we each ordered a can of beer. To carry it, they just gave it to us in the 12-pack box. So, we drank our beer. About an hour later, someone went down and got us another one - same thing, in the 12 pack box, but only 5 beers. Well, we're pretty loud and laugh a lot anyway, but people thought we were drunk - which we weren't!! But, we had those 2 12-pack boxed sitting next to us. I guess some of the kids and parents complained to our pastor and we got called into the ole office. Two of the leaders actually quit because of this - not me - because they said they wanted to be able to have a beer now and then without the fear of who was watching. I agreeed, but I also said we should have probably thrown away the boxes, it just looked bad. I can see both sides. But now, I still look around if I got out for dinner and have a beer, or even if I am having friends over and buy some at the store. I'm always afraid of how it looks. I NEVER want anything I do be a reason for someone to stumble in their walk. Even non-Christians - if they saw us at that rodeo and thought we were drunk, what kind of example and testimony is that???? I voted for #4 - It's ok - just not drunk.
| |||
|
I voted "other" on this even though I do think it's okay for a Christian to drink. I think it has to be a personal decision. Personally, I choose not to drink. I will allow other adults to drink in my home, as long as they don't expect me to supply their alcohol. I grew up with alcoholics raising me. When I was a young adult, I started feeling strange. So, I went to the doctor. He told me that, in effect, I was a dry alcoholic. He said that since both my parents are recovering alcoholics, I have a high chance of becoming an alcoholic if I choose to drink. That's not why I chose not to drink though. My choice came about because I had to take care of my parents and younger sisters when Mom and Dad were drunk. I remember standing on a chair at the stove to fix dinner for my sisters and I. I didn't want my children to have to deal with that. I decided at age fifteen that I wasn't ever going to drink. I've made the right decision for myself. But, not everyone feels led to make the same decision. I agree with fullofjoyeternal on her three points about drinking. I am more sensitive to reason number two she gives for not drinking. But, that's just my opinion. 
| |||
4/2/2006 2:15 pm |
It is fine as long as it isn't a vise for you. I rarely drink, but when I do, it is in the company of others and usually for libationary reason only. My vise is my nasty smoking habit!
| |||
4/2/2006 7:04 pm |
I think this is an area where each person needs to decide that for themselves, with the exception of drunkeness. I think these are some of the areas to consider; 1. If you think it's sin, it is and you should avoid it. 2. If it would cause someone to be tempted to sin or sin, it should be avoided, ie- around someone who has cleaned themself up from an addiction to alcohol. 3. If it's keeping you from doing what you know you should do. (Going on Sat and not being able to get to church on Sun.) Personally I do drink occasionally, but I don't drink when I'm around my sister who is a recovering alcoholic. I don't use it as a crutch as escapism. I may have a glass of wine for dinner if I go out but that's about it. Thanks, John
| |||
4/2/2006 8:52 pm |
I'm seconding fullofjoyeternal, too. Excellent comments on her part. Great post, Reallysaved! Grace to you! Carol
| |||
4/2/2006 9:46 pm |
Don't drink- I actually have more fun at gatherings watching other people drinking and falling down, but as a rule I try not to attend those gatherings if I know ahead of time there is going to be drinking.
| |||
4/2/2006 9:54 pm |
there are many different levels of "drunk" i get a good buzz off 2 or 3 beers, and can go to 4 or even 5 without being what one might consider being drunk. the thing of it is...any more than one and i start to weaken my resolve against a lot of other things that i tend to associate with drinking and then am that much more likely to fall. ...any more than two and i tend to fall asleep quickly and my normal night time routine of prayer and praise is shorted ...any more than three and i have a harder wake up in the morning and my morning routine of prayer and praise suffers and my walk with god that following day is much weaker than usual ...any more than four; all of the above, and then my body will reject the poison and give me trouble taking me that much further from my path ...any more than five; and i am drunk and sinning. i don't think i need to do any more research on it. i have been trying to stop at one or two and have been somewhat successful at that. usually.
| |||
4/3/2006 1:45 pm |
Show me the scriptures to back up your claim....And may I suggest removing the plank from your eye first, as it will be much easier to understand fully what you are reading........LOL........Ken the alleged "Compromiser" "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." John 2:10 NIV Yes, Jesus even made some darn good wine! And, He whipped it up after the cheap stuff (maybe Mad-Dog 20/20) was all gone. Was He a compromiser or was He condoning the use of alcohol for libationary reasons? I don't believe it is a sin to get drunk. I do believe it is drunkenness (alcoholism)that is the sin.
| |||
4/3/2006 5:55 pm |
I will never promote drinking because I am a recovering alcoholic but I will say this. Show me in scripture where God says not to drink alcohol at all. I will believe if you can prove this. But throughout his word it says do not be drunk. It doesn't say don't drink alcohol at all. I have not drank alcohol for 16 years because of alcoholism not because drinking a little is wrong but because I never drank a little. I drank to get drunk. Have you compromised today with a lie, gossip, judging or any other sin. Like prodigalson63 says let's take the plank out of our own eye before we can remove the speck from our brother and sisters eye. (Matthew 7:1-6) Sincerely, John Sincerely
| |||
4/3/2006 6:30 pm |
The1Firecracker, You wrote: "Jesus turned water into wine- if alcohol was not allowed by God- why would Jesus have done this?" Different Greek word is used in that passage than is used elsewhere for alcholic wine. Here the word literally means "grapes, jam, or juice". Also, keep in mind that the Jewish culture taught that you drank "sweet wine" [a.k.a. juice] and that fermentation was a symbol of corruption just like yeast was a symbol for sin. Bryan
| |||
4/3/2006 8:04 pm |
The1Firecracker, You wrote: "Jesus turned water into wine- if alcohol was not allowed by God- why would Jesus have done this?" Different Greek word is used in that passage than is used elsewhere for alcholic wine. Here the word literally means "grapes, jam, or juice". Also, keep in mind that the Jewish culture taught that you drank "sweet wine" [a.k.a. juice] and that fermentation was a symbol of corruption just like yeast was a symbol for sin. Bryan
| |||
|
Think back to before you became a christian; You saw your Sunday School teacher,who had been trying to get you to accept the Lord,out downing a carton of beer.What would you have thought? I would have thought," what a hypocrite !" To have a glass of wine or beer with a meal is fine. Its your drink of choice. But to continue to indulge in a drink that will change your mood,your attitude,makes you a poor example to non-christians.
| |||
4/3/2006 10:52 pm |
The logic of your argument is flawed. If Jesus miraculously turned water into wine, what makes you think he would have to wait for it to ferment?
| |||
4/4/2006 8:04 am |
SpiritRealm, As I look back at my post on here, I see I may have come across as mocking you, but I really wasn't, hence the "LOL" after the plank comment. I have seen many of your post and you are a sister in Christ through and through. I just wanted you to know that I am sorry if this may have offended you.....Stay blessed....Ken
| |||
4/4/2006 8:32 am |
LOL........I did not say Jesus whipped out Mad Dog 20/20.........I was being facetious sister! You need to go back and see what I said.....Thanks for the laugh!....God bless you!
| |||
4/4/2006 9:47 pm |
i completely agree with fullofjoyeternal
| |||
4/6/2006 12:02 am |
You are correct sir! Gluttony is the sin we were looking for here, compulsive over indulgent behavior is what the bible frowns upon. Not drinking! People keep taking scripture and twisting it to fit their opinions.
| |||
|
I find the critical people here hard to believe. I myself do not drink because as a young adult, before I became a Christian, I discovered that I could not handle alchol. I quit before I ever knew any "man-made" rules about drinking. I think a lot of folks are going to be suprised who makes it to heaven and who doesn't!
| |||
|
Let me correct you. Drink made out of grapes is considered as wine.Just like tea is considered tea only made out of tea leaves(though many other drinks has name tea today) Alcoholic drinks can be made out of many fruits or other subjects, but name wine is given rightly only for drink made out of grapes, and that drink doesn't need to be fermented, alcoholic.
| |||
4/7/2006 5:25 pm |
Let me correct you. Drink made out of grapes is considered as wine.Just like tea is considered tea only made out of tea leaves(though many other drinks has name tea today) Alcoholic drinks can be made out of many fruits or other subjects, but name wine is given rightly only for drink made out of grapes, and that drink doesn't need to be fermented, alcoholic. It is gluttony that the Bible frowns upon, alcoholism, compulsive over indulgence, and not drinking or even getting drunk on occasion. Quit condemning your brothers and sisters and do a little studying for once. Your guilt-trips have caused too many people from coming to Christ for too long. Study tips for you misinformed: 1. Consider to whom the passage is addressed. 2. Consider the context of the passage. 3. Consider other passages relating to the subject. 4. Never interpret a clear passage in light of an unclear passage 5. Always accept the literal interpretation of a passage if the normal word usage and meaning will allow. 6. Consider the original meaning of the words. This is from my earlier post rebuking the grape juice opinion. In the Greek there are the words oinos and methuo. These same words are used in Eph 5:18 where we read, "be not drunk with wine." If methuo means drunk in Ephesians, it must mean drunk in John 2:10. The word methuo is used seven times in the New Testament and is translated as "drunken" five times, "made drunk" one time, and "well drunk" one time (Matt 24:49; Acts 2:15; 1Cor 11:21; 1Thes 5; Rev 17:6; 17:2; John 2:10). The words are clear and for the thorough student who approaches the Bible with the intent of discovering what it says and what it means without regard for personal bias, the meaning is unmistakable. It is at best naive to claim that the wine in John chapter 2 was non-alcoholic. It is simply not possible for the serious student of the Bible to stick his head in the sand and contend that it was grape juice.
| |||
|
Why focusing in alcohol aspect, when that is not the issue in the scripture part. This subject was chewed over before in godlycook's pol. trulysaved only picked it from him to take it to an other level of argument. Devil makes people to focus always in wrong things to cost un necessary arguments between people. The contend of alcohol in the drink is not the teaching in the scripture in the wedding in Cana at all. Do not miss the teaching because of it. Ps. Jesus didn't make it more, he made it to remove the lack, thats different. (If you have no finance to pay your bill, he provides the bill money, he doesn't make your to be a millionaire in a second.) It's good to focus on the miracle it self.
| |||
4/8/2006 7:59 am |
Hi there everyone, A few words here..... My husband of 32 years was an alcoholic. I watched him suffer through the devasting effects of liver disease and eventually end in his early death at age 55. During the course of our marriage I never had any alcohol or kept it in the house. I come from an Italian background and it was common for us to drink wine with our dinner. None of my 5 siblings have ever had any problems concerning the wine. I have to say here... when we are around those who are weak in a particular area it is our responsibilty to refrain from doing anything that may harm that person. If I desire to have a an alcoholic drink or glass of wine I am now at liberty to do so.
|
×
×