First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you. ~Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
Of the demonstrably wise there are but two: those who commit suicide, and those who keep their reasoning faculties
atrophied by drink.
~Mark Twain, Note-Book, 1935
SAY
WHAT YOU WANT, BUT I CONTEND THAT DRINKING ALCOHOL IS EVIL
The Bible does teach
total abstinence from alcohol. Both the main Hebrew word for wine and the Greek word for wine can mean either fermented grape
juice or intoxicating wine. The English word wine originally had two meanings also - unfermented juice or alcoholic drink.
In the Bible, verses to show God approves of wine are speaking about unfermented juice. Verses that expose the evils of wine
are speaking about intoxicating wine.
The
Bible says alcoholic drink is evil. It is not just the amount one drinks that makes drinking a sin. God condemns the drink
itself. (Prov 20:1 KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. God does
not lead us into evil; He delivers us from it. He does not teach us to practice evil in moderation. Jesus did not make, use,
approve, commend, or tell us to use intoxicating wine. God made man to have fellowship with Him. Alcohol goes directly to
the brain, the communication center of the body. It interferes with God’s purpose for mankind.
The Bible condemns
drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered”
by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian
from doing anything that might offend other Christians or might encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians
8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol
to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the
Biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to over-consumption of alcohol, and due to
the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others – it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely
from drinking alcohol.
In Genesis 9:20-26 - Noah became drunk; the result was immorality
and family trouble. Also in Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot was so drunk he did not know what he was doing; this led to immorality.
In Leviticus 10:9-11 - God commanded priests not to drink so that they could tell the difference between the holy and the
unholy. The Nazarites were told to eat or drink nothing from the grape vine (Numbers 6:3)
Deuteronomy 21:20 says that a drunken son was stubborn and rebellious, while
Deuteronomy 32:33 says that Intoxicating wine is like the poison of serpents, the cruel venom of asps. Samson was to be a
Nazarite for life. His mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink (Judges 13:4, 7, 14)
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor..." (Habakkuk 2:15) "...Drunkenness...and
the like...those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God... And those who are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:21-24). "...We have spent enough of our past lifetime in
doing the will of the Gentiles...drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties... In regard to these, they think it strange that
you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready
to judge the living and the dead." (1 Peter 4:3-5). You may be saying “But almost everyone does it”. "And
do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
Alcohol is extremely anti-social. Is it sociable to bully someone into drinking your poison? Is it sociable
to drink this venom that causes abuse to innocent families? I can hear you saying “But...Didn't Jesus turn
water into wine”?
Jesus
and His disciples were invited to a wedding (John 2:1-11.) During this wedding, the grape juice ran out, so Jesus changed
about 600 liters (130 gallons) of water into fresh grape juice.
In the original Greek, these verses use the word oinos, meaning either alcohol
or fresh grape juice. But, "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in...drunkenness... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:13-14) Surely Jesus did not make any provision
for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. Surely what He made was grape juice.
Besides, Jesus called the juice the "fruit of the vine." Josephus (a
Jewish historian of the first century AD) used the same phrase referring to grapes freshly squeezed into a cup. To assume
that the "fruit of the vine" refers to alcohol is contrary to early usage of the phrase.
It may be true that the Passover was six months after
the grape harvest. However, it was common at that time to preserve grape juice from fermentation by various methods such as
boiling, storing in airtight wineskins, adding preservatives like sulphur, and filtering any yeast that would cause fermentation.
Similar methods are still used preserving milk by UHT treatment, etc. Fruit juice and other products are kept in sealed bottles
for long periods. There are many preservatives now in use.
Alcohol was not used at the Lord's Supper; therefore these verses can't be used to
justify drinking alcohol.
Paul
wrote to Timothy, "...Use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities." (1 Timothy 5:23).
Again, the word for wine is oinos, thus there is no direct indication of its alcoholic content. However,
a Greek writer, Athenaeus (AD 280), expressed words similar to Paul's, "Take glucose...being very good for the stomach."
Paul never recommended alcohol. To the contrary, an "...overseer must be...not a drinker.
Alcohol kills your brain cells. The body can't replace
dead brain cells. Do you want a moderately dead brain? Dr. Lennane, director of drug and alcohol services at Rozelle Hospital,
Sydney, says it is not only heavy drinkers who are being affected but social drinkers as well. "...Drunkenness...and
the like...those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God... And those who are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:21-24). "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and
that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him..." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
This would apply to everything that defiles, including alcohol, smoking, and other drugs.
