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| SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD | |||||
| 2020-11-20 | Alcohol And The Bible | ||||
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The Bible has plenty to say concerning alcohol. The priests were prohibited from drinking wine or strong (fermented) drink (Le.10:9) Those under the Nazirite (dedicated) vow were told to not drink wine or strong drink (Nu.6:3; Jg.13:4) In Proverbs drinking alcohol is seen as unwise and foolish (Pr.20:1; 31:4) A woe is pronounced upon the drunkards of Isaiah's day including its leaders (Is.5:11, 22; 56:12) The Bible does not completely condemn drinking alcohol (Du.14:26). Deu 14:26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. But being intoxicated from alcohol is condemned (Is.28:7; 1Co.11:21; Ep.5:18; 1Th.5:7). Some passages describe alcohol in positive terms (Ec.9:7; Ps.104:14-15; Am.9:14; Is.55:1) Ecc 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. As Christians we are not to allow anything to “master” or have control over us (1Co.6:12; 2Pe.2:19). 1Co 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. Christians are not to do anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1Co.8:9-13). 1Co 8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. As a Christian it is difficult to say we are drinking alcohol in excess to the glory of God (1Co.10:31). 1Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Jesus changed water into wine (2n.2:1-11). And He drank wine on occasion (Mt.26:29). Mat 26:29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." Paul encouraged Timothy to “use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities” (1Tm.5:23). Church Elders, as a character trait and qualification of their lives, are not to drink alcohol (1Tm.3:3). 1Tm.3:3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. However, drunkenness and addiction are sin. If a Christian chooses to drink alcohol at home, but not to excess, that seems appropriate. However, if a Christian chooses to drink alcohol in public he runs the risk of offending another Christian. Because of the concerns of drinking alcohol in excess, and possibly offending others, it seems 'best' for a Christian to abstain from drinking alcohol. Pastor Tom Elseroad |
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 An Evangelical Free Church of America |
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23304 E Wellesley
Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com |