First let me give a disclaimer: I don’t drink alcoholic beverages of any kind. I have tasted a few over the years but only once did I finish a “drink.” I have never even been close to drunk. When cold medicine had alcohol in it, one serving would put me out for the night. My reasons for not drinking run from not liking it to feeling alcohol is one of the evils of our age, or any age, for that matter.
Having said that, here is a verse that seems to imply that “wine” (3196) for a meal is normal. Actually it does more than imply. It states that Wisdom has prepared wine to go with the food on her table. Some people say this is unfermented grape juice. I honestly wish I could agree with that but it does not bear up under examination. Just sticking to Proverbs we see the following:
(Proverbs 20:1 KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
(Proverbs 31:6 KJV) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.In both verses it is the same Hebrew word for “wine” that is used in this verse. In one place it is accepted as normal, in another it is presented as a problem. Like so many other things, perverted use changes the moral character.
My personal feeling is that a spiritually mature person will avoid alcoholic beverages. That is cultural and personal. Some of the giants of the faith have good things to say about wine, John Wesley and C.S. Lewis for example. To those you can add Wisdom. I don’t like it, but there it is.
Drunkenness on the other hand is condemned. As an example:
(Galatians 5:21 KJV) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.But enjoy it while you can. Alcohol is a product of fermentation. Fermentation is the result of death. Since death will be banished, there will be no alcohol at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Deal with it.
So, as much as I don’t like to admit it, wine, in moderation, seems to be acceptable. Make sure that you don’t use it as a point of judgment. But I still think it is best to avoid it.
2 comments:
Two thoughts: First, Jesus turned the water into wine, not the other way around. Second, a lot of the teachings we've endured about alcohol come from folks wanting to blame the bottle, rather than the one who holds it, usually because they, or a close relative, have a problem knowing their limit. Strangely, the best verse against the use of alcohol isn't even strictly about alcohol and is NEVER quoted on the subject: "IF thine right eye offend thee, pluck it out." (Note the word "IF.")
Your first thought never occurred to me. On your second, isn't it a constant battle to see the difference between what we think is true because someone told us and what the Word. Actually says. The term "theological gossip" comes to mind.
Grace and Peace
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