The Christian and Drinking

I. Introduction:

II. Drunkenness is clearly condemned

A. Condemnation for drunkenness

B. Romans 13:13 – Not walk in drunkenness1 Corinthians 5:11 – Drunkenness is immoral1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of heaven Galatians 5:21 – A work of the flesh that is condemned

C. Effects of drunkenness

D. More susceptible to temptation because judgment is impaired

E. Lot’s daughters got him drunk so that he would commit incest with them, Genesis 19:32-35. Proverbs 31:4-5

III. NOTE: Give to the one in great pain (as we give morphine to those suffering from pain from cancer, etc.)

A. Leviticus 10:9-10 Alcohol makes some people more violent, Proverbs 20:1. Brings poverty, Proverbs 21:17; 23:20-21

B. When is one drunk?

C. There are physical signs of drunkenness: slurred speech, impaired motor skills, etc.

D. The condition of the mind is of greater significance.

E. Mental comprehension and judgment are affected by even small amounts of alcohol. Increased drunkenness reduces the ability of the mind to function effectively.

IV. Is it ok to drink if one does not become drunk?

A. “Strong drink” is condemned in scripture.

B. Isaiah 5:11 – Woe to those who seek strong drink in the morning. Habakkuk 2:15-16 – Condemnation of those who make others drink

C. Proverbs 23:29-35 – Don’t even look at the wine.

D. Verse 29: A list of the “benefits” of strong drink. Verse 32: It is deceptive; it looks good but brings you to harm. Verse 33: Impaired judgment and mental effects.

E. Verse 35: Beaten and don’t even know it.

F. Many crime victims because they were in the wrong place due to impaired judgment and could not resist. Date rape often associated with intoxication. Verse 35: Addiction and foolishness; after all of these bad things, the person seeks it again.

G. What is strong drink?

H. Fermented New Testament wines reached a maximum of 5-8% alcohol content. Modern alcoholic drinks, except beer, exceed this (see chart) Although the alcoholic content of beer is comparable, beer contains a narcotic call lupulin, which, with the alcoholic content, makes it even more potent than some higher percentage alcohol drinks.

I. Modern wines just do not compare to the fermented wines of the Bible.

V. Attempts to justify social drinking

A. The New Testament characters drank wine

B. The Greek Word OINOS is a generic word for wine which can describe grape juice or fermented wine. Only the context can determine which is discussed.

C. Some argue that the Jews had no way of keeping grape juice from fermenting and so were always drinking fermented wine.

D. This is a faulty assumption since several means of preserving unfermented wine have been discovered.

E. Sometimes the fresh juice was tightly sealed in bottles or jars and placed in the ground or in the water to keep it cool. Cato (234-149 BC) said: “If you wish to have must [grape juice] all year, put grape juice in an amphora and seal the cork with pitch; sink it in a fishpond. After 30 days take it out. It will be grape juice for a whole year.” (Quoted in Wayne Jackson’s pamphlet) The Zondervan Pictoral Bible Dictionary describes a similar method for preserving the grape juice. Albert Barnes: “The common wine of Judea was the pure juice of the grape, without any mixture of alcohol, and was harmless. It was the common drink of the people, and did not tend to produce intoxication. Our wines are mixture of the juice of the grape and brandy.” We cannot assume that the wine discussed is fermented since the Jews were able to keep grape juice unfermented.

F. Jesus turned water into wine, John 2:1-11.

G. It cannot be proved that the wine had alcoholic content, the original Greek word does not demand it. Wayne Jackson quote (Chart) Even if it did have some alcoholic content, it can’t even be compared to the wines of our day.

H. Timothy was told to drink a little wine.

I. It was for his health, not for social or mental usage. We have pure water and effective medicine to negate this need. Paul had to compel Timothy to drink a little wine for his health’s sake. The fact that he had to be compelled shows that Timothy felt that he should not drink wine.

J. The Bible and social drinking: 1 Peter 4:3

K. Excess of wine: Has the idea of the abundance of wine that characterized their life before Jesus. Doesn’t imply wrong only if in excess. Revelries: Carousing and reveling through intoxication (partying).Banqueting: Drinking parties where the purpose is to come together to drink. Comparable to mixers and other social drinking venues.

VI. Sobriety and example

A. We are to be sober minded.

B. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

C. Remember, only a small amount of alcohol is needed to impair our judgment. We are to always have a clear mind, ready to serve, ready to resist the evil one. Titus 2:6-8 – Sober minded and a good example to all.

D. We should not do things that identify us with the world.

E. If you go out to drink, the bars are identified with revelries, lusts, low inhibitions, general wickedness. Buying alcohol causes others to make judgments about us and it will not be a good judgment. Why would we want to support an industry that encourages the moral decline and wickedness that we know is wrong?

F. If we do not want to be drunkards, we will not take the first step.

G. No one says, “I want to be an alcoholic.” Alcoholism is a progression and you can never become an alcoholic if you do not take the first drink.

H. Let us be drunk with the Spirit of God, Ephesians 5:18-22.