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Alcohol - Should We Drink It?
Posted by Lev/Christopher on October 28, 2008 at 6:50am
in Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, Tattooing, Body Piercing & Sexual Issues
Website: http://nccg.org/alcohol.html
Q. Do members of MLT drink alcohol? If not, why not?
A. Under the Old Covenant, Priests were not allowed to consume alcohol while on duty in the Temple. Today all believers are a Royal Priesthood 'on duty' 24/7 in their physical bodies, the temple of the New Covenant Melchizedek Priesthood. We uphold the Rechabite Covenant as the ideal. Therefore we do not drink alcohol.
"The saloon is a liar. It promises good cheer and sends sorrow. It promises prosperity and sends adversity. It promises happiness and sends misery.... It is God's worst enemy and the devil's best friend." -Billy Sunday
When I was sixteen years old, I received the tragic news that a certain member of my family, to whom I was very close, was dying of alcohol-induced liver cancer. I vividly remember visiting him in the hospital, not prepared for what I would see when I walked into the room. What was once a big, robust man was now essentially a skeleton covered with ghostly, pale skin, barely able to speak.
I had only been a Christian for a few months. Even before I came to Christ, I never was much of a drinker, mainly because I just didn't like the way it tasted. However, when I saw what years of drinking had done to my above mentioned relative, my decision never to touch alcohol was set in stone. As I studied the Scriptures over the years, I learned that I had made the right choice.
The issue of alcohol has always been a controversial one within the Christian community. Did Jesus make, or advocate the use of, intoxicating wine? Is having an occasional drink really that big of a deal? These are certainly valid questions that committed Christians have asked over the years.
In looking at the overall teaching of the Bible, as well as observations made in my own life over the years, I firmly believe that total abstinence is by far the best policy. I am not a prude, nor is this message intended to be legalistic or condemning. On the contrary, I want to share a truth with you that is very liberating. God's Word has been compared to a map showing us where the "land mines" in life are. Beverage alcohol is one of those land mines.
BIBLICAL USE OF THE WORD "WINE";
It is important to remember that in Bible days, the word "juice" was not widely used. It only occurs once in the entire Bible (Song of Solomon 8:2.) Wine was a general term for any grape juice product-even when it was still in the grape clusters (Isaiah 65:8.) Even in pre-prohibition America, nonalcoholic grape juice was often referred to as "grape wine." Their are nine Hebrew, and four Greek words translated "wine" in the Bible (to study this further,see William Patton's classic book "Bible Wines or Laws of Fermentation and Wines of the Ancients.") Generally, it is easy to see from the context of individual Scriptures which form of wine is being referred to. For example, in the Book of Proverbs, alcoholic wine is referred to as a mocker and a deceiver that leads to violence (20:1-2), poverty (23:21), sorrow (23:29-30,) immorality(23:33,) insecurity (23:34,) insensibility (23:35,) and is even compared to a poisonous snake! (23:32)
On the other hand, abstinence from wine and other intoxicants is presented as a great virtue. God honored Daniel for refusing the King's wine (Daniel 1:5, 8, 16; 10:3.) John the Baptist's greatness in the eyes of God was directly linked to the fact that he drank no wine or strong drink (Luke 1:15.) Even as He was dying, Jesus refused the wine that was offered Him to deaden His pain (Mark 15: 23.)
In Ephesians 5:18, we are told to "be not drunk with wine...but be filled with the Spirit." Note the contrast: Being drunk with wine is in total opposition to being filled with the Spirit.
If we look at the most strictly literal translation of this verse, it reads "Be not entering into the act of being drunk with wine, but be continually entering into the process of being filled with the Spirit."The context of the verse goes deeper than just "Don't get drunk." It is telling us not to even enter into the act of drinking intoxicants.
JESUS AND WINE
What then, about the wine that Jesus made at the marriage feast? Was it alcoholic?The Greek word used here is "oinos," a variation of the Hebrew word "yayin."This word can refer to grape juice in any stage, either fermented,or unfermented.
Regardless of your opinion of casual drinking, I'm sure most of you will agree that drunkenness is definitely a sin. In light of this, would Jesus contribute to drunkenness?
At the time Jesus had arrived at the feast, the guests had "well drunk"of whatever they were drinking (V.10.) Jesus knew well the solemn warnings of Habakkuk 2:15,"Woe to him who gives his neighbor intoxicating drink." (Note: If it is a sin to put alcohol to our neighbor's lips, would it not also be a sin to put it to our own?) With this in mind, we can be sure that the beverage Jesus made was a refreshing, nonalcoholic grape drink. To do otherwise would have been totally incompatible with His nature.
ALCOHOLISM AND ADDICTION
We often hear the term "alcohol and drugs."This is a false distinction, because alcohol IS a drug. It is one of the most abused narcotics in the world. I have personally witnessed, and many of you have as well, how strong the addictive bondage of alcohol can be. I have known a number of people whose lives were shattered by alcoholism. I have often wondered how much different their lives might have been if they had just said "no" to that first drink. No "social drinker" thinks that they can become an alcoholic, just like no one who casually experiments with cocaine, heroine, or other drugs thinks about the possibility of becoming an addict. The old adage about an ounce of prevention certainly holds true here. It is far better to stop a problem before it starts, wouldn't you say? God does not want us in bondage to ANYTHING, whether it be alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or any other vice (1 Corinthians 3 :17; 9: 27; 1 Thessalonians 4:4.) As a teenager, I heard a simple,but profound statement that has always stuck with me: No one ever became an alcoholic, who didn't take the first drink.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXAMPLE
In my experience in doing personal evangelism, I have made the observation that the fact that there are Christians who drink is a major excuse many alcoholics hide behind. God calls us to be salt and light to the world that we live in (Matthew 5: 13-14) and to avoid conduct that could cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21.) I was once discussing this with an elderly Chritian gentleman who brought up a very good point. He said "One beer might not send me to hell, but it could lead ten people there who saw me, and followed my example."
To quote Gleason Archer; "If we really care about the souls of men, and if we are really in business for Christ, rather than for ourselves, then there seems to be no alternative to total abstinence-not as a matter of legalism, but rather as a matter of love.?#034;
Friend, this issue is a very serious one. In light of Jesus' soon return, we are called to live holy and sober lives (Luke 12:45-46; 1 Thessalonians 5: 7-8.) Those who indulge in drunkenness will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Corinthians 6: 10; Galatians 5: 21,) so in sharing the Gospel with others, it is vitally important to warn them against the dangers of alcohol. God doesn't call us to abstain from alcohol because He is trying to take away our enjoyment of life. Quite the opposite is true. God loves us, and knows what it takes to truly make us happy (see Jeremiah 29;11, John 10:10.) Alcohol is counterproductive to the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. He knows the devastating impact alcohol has on countless people. He sees the jobs lost, the families shattered, and the lives destroyed by alcohol, and He wants to protect us from these things. He has a plan for your life that is far greater than any bottle of alcohol could ever possibly give. If you have never given your life to Jesus, why not do it now?
WORKS CITED:
John R. Rice, ed, "The Best of Billy Sunday" (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Sword of the Lord Publishing, 1965, page 76. Quoted in Jack Van Impe's "Alcohol: The Beloved Enemy" 1980, Jack Van Impe Crusades, Royal Oak, Michigan, page 85
Gleason Archer "Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, 1982, the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, page 149
Courtesy of http://www.james-dave.com/alcohol2.html
The Dangers of Moderate Drinking
By John B. Gough
John B. Gough (1817-1886) Born in Sandgate, Kent, England in 1817, Gough immigrated to the United States when he was only twelve years old. His mother and sister also came to America. His mother died of a stroke and Gough, despondent, began to drink. He married in 1838. The couple had a daughter but unfortunately, both mother and child died within days of each other. By the age of 25, Gough was unemployed, homeless, and a confirmed drunkard. In 1842 he attended a temperance meeting in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he took a pledge to totally abstain from liquor. He began to tell his story to eager audiences and soon embarked on a career of lecturing against the evils of drink. During his career, Gough delivered some 9,600 lectures to more than nine million people in America, Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland.
When he died in 1886, the New York Times wrote that he "was probably better known in this country and in Great Britain than any other public speaker." Mr. Gough was one of this country’s most influential social reformers who helped to solve one of America’s most pressing problems. He was a witnessing Christian, a personal friend of Charles Spurgeon, and shared the pulpit in Boston (1877) during a "Temperance Day" meeting with D. L. Moody.
One favorite argument of young men in reference to the use of intoxicating drink is, "When I find out that it is doing me an injury, then I will give it up." That is making an admission and coming to a conclusion.
The admission is true; the conclusion is false. You admit it may injure you, and when it has injured you, then you will quit it. You won't use such an argument in reference to any other matter. "I will put my hand into the den of a rattlesnake, and when I find out that he has stuck his fangs into me I will draw it out and get it cured as quickly as possible." There is no common sense in that.
Young men, beware of this thing, because it is a snare. It is fearfully deceptive. Every man who drinks intends to be a moderate drinker. I have said this over and over again, because I believe it to be important. Every man who becomes intemperate does so by a course of argument from the beginning all the way down to ruin. Young men, you say, "When I find out that it is injuring me, then I will give it up." Is that sensible?
I once heard of a pilot who said he could pilot a vessel into Boston Harbor. "Now," said he to the captain, "I'll stand 'midships, and you can take the helm. I know every rock in this channel - every one of 'em - I know 'em all, and I'll give you warning." By and by the vessel struck upon a rock, and the shock threw everybody down upon the deck. The poor pilot got up, rubbing himself, and said, "Captain, there's one of 'em."
Now we say to young men, "There 's one of them. Hard up your helm before you strike!" That is sensible. If you have struck, haul off and repair damages, and then strike again. Is that sensible? In time the poor old battered hulk will not bear any more damages, and men will bury you, a broken wreck. That is the end of it in many cases. "When I find out that it is injuring me, then I will give it up." Gather all the drunkards of this country together, and ask them every one, "Are you drinking enough to injure you?" A large proportion will declare that they are not. Each one of them has become a drunkard in the sight of God and man before he has become one in his own estimation.
Intoxicating drink is deceptive in its very nature. It reminds me of the fable of the serpent in a circle of fire. A man was passing by, and the snake said to him, "Help me out of my difficulty." "If I do, you'll bite me." "Oh, no, I won't." "I'm afraid to trust you," "Help me out of the fire, or it will consume me, and I promise on my word of honor I won't bite you." The man took the snake out of the fire, and threw it on the ground. Instantly the serpent said, "Now I'll bite you." "But didn't you promise me you wouldn't?" "Yes, but don't you know it's my nature to bite, and I cannot help it." So it is with the drink. It is its nature to bite; it is its nature to deceive.
Young men say (and I have heard them more than once) that they "must sow their wild oats." Remember this, young gentlemen, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." If you sow corn, you reap corn. If you sow weeds, you reap weeds. If you sow to the flesh, you will of the flesh reap corruption. But if you sow to the spirit, you will of the spirit reap life everlasting. Ah, young men, look at that reaping, and then contemplate the awful reaping of men to-day who are reaping as they have sown, in bitterness of spirit and anguish of soul. "When I find out that it is injuring me, Then I will give it up."
Surely that is not common sense. Such is the fascination thrown around a man by the power of this habit, that it must have essentially injured him before he will acknowledge the hurt and consent to give it up. Many a man has been struck down in his prosperity, has been sent to prison for crime, before he acknowledged that his evil habit was injuring him. I remember riding from Buffalo to Niagara Fails, and I said to a gentleman, "What river is that, sir?" "That," he said, "is Niagara River." "It is a beautiful stream," said I, "bright, smooth, and glassy; how far off are the rapids?" " Only a few miles," was the reply. "Is it possible that only a few miles from us we shall find the water in the turbulence which it must show when near the rapids?" "You will find it so, sir." And so I found it, and that first sight of Niagara Falls I shall never forget. Now, launch your bark on that river; the water is smooth, beautiful, and glassy. There is a ripple at the bow of your boat, and the silvery wake it leaves behind adds to your enjoyment. You set out on your pleasure excursion. Down the stream you glide; oars, sails, and helm in proper trim. Suddenly some one cries out from the bank, "Young men, ahoy!"
"What is it?"
"The rapids are below you."
"Ha, ha! we have heard of the rapids, but we are not such fools as to get into them. When we find we are going too fast, then we shall up with the helm and steer to the shore; we will set the mast in the socket, hoist the sail, and speed to land. Then on, boys, don't be alarmed, there's no danger." "Young men, ahoy there! " "What is it?" "The rapids are below you." "Ha, ha? we will laugh and, quaff; all things delight us. What care we for the future? No man ever saw it. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. We will enjoy life while we may; we will catch pleasure as it flies. This is enjoyment, time enough to steer out of danger when we are sailing too swiftly with the current." "Young men, ahoy!" "What is it?" "Beware, beware! the rapids are below you." Now you feel them! See the water foaming all around! See how fast you pass that point! Up with the helm! Now turn! Pull hard; quick, quick! Pull for your lives! Pull till the blood starts from the nostrils and the veins stand like whipcord upon the brow. Set the mast in the socket, hoist the sail! Ah, ah, it is too late; faster and faster you near the awful cataract, and then, shrieking, cursing, howling, praying, over you go. Thousands launch their barks in smooth water and realize no danger till on the verge of ruin, boasting all the while to the last, "When I find out that it is injuring me, then I will give it up." The power of this habit, I repeat, is fascinating, is deceptive, and men may go on arguing and coming to conclusions while on the way down to destruction.
--Taken from Platform Echoes, John B. Gough. Pages 93-97, 1886.
Courtesy of http://www.biblebelievers.com/gough/gough_001.html
75 BIBLE REFERENCES ON DRINKING ALCOHOL
 One has only to examine the Bible to find abundant references condemning the use of alcoholic beverages. In fact, if the preacher is to stick to his Bible, preach the whole truth, and be fair to the Word of God, he MUST preach against alcohol.
In the following list are scores of direct references, comprising a total of one hundred and sixty two verses. This is more scripture than will be found on the subject of lying, adultery, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, pride, cheating, stealing, hypocrisy or even blasphemy.
| Genesis 9:20-26 |
The first drunkenness and the attendant immoral behavior. |
| Genesis 19:30-38 |
Drinking results in Lot's debauchery and incest of his own daughters. |
| Genesis 27:25 |
Isaac was drinking when he mistakenly blessed Jacob. |
| Leviticus 10:9 |
An express command not to drink. |
| Numbers 6:3 |
The vow of the Nazarite. |
| Deuteronomy 21:20 |
Drinking leads to stubbornness, rebellion, gluttony which brings dishonor to parents. |
| Deuteronomy 29:2-6 |
Abstinence assures a closer walk with God. |
| Judges 13:4,7,14 |
Samson's mother, an example of all womanhood, was commanded not to drink. Was alcohol recognized even then as harmful to the growing baby? |
| 1 Samuel 1:14-15 |
Hannah, an example of honored motherhood, refrained from drinking wine. |
| 1 Samuel 25:32-38 |
Nabal, a rich but churlish man who opposed David, died after a drunken spree. He had already lost his wife's respect. |
| 2 Samuel 11:13 |
By having Uriah plied with strong drink, David attempted to cover his own sin. |
| 2 Samuel 13:28-29 |
Ammon, in a drunken brawl, was murdered by his brother, Absalom. |
| 1 Kings 16:8-10 |
While a king was "drinking himself drunk" in his own home, one of his captains conspired against him and slew him. |
| 1 Kings 20:12-21 |
Drink and war - while Ben Hadad and thirty-two other kings were drinking in their pavilions, a small band of Israel's men fell upon the Syrians and put them to flight. |
| Esther 1:5-12 |
Drink wrecks homes and separates man and wife. At a week's feast of food and wine, King Ahasuerus drunkenly tried to subject his queen to the beastly gaze of inebriated nobles, causing separation of the royal husband and wife. |
| Job 1:18-19 |
The children of Job were feasting and drinking when blown away in a cyclone. |
| Proverbs 4:17 |
Violence results from drinking. |
| Proverbs 20:1 |
No wise man will indulge. |
| Proverbs 21:17 |
He that loveth wine is not rich. |
| Proverbs 23:21 |
Drinking leads to poverty. |
| Proverbs 23:29-30 |
Strong drink produces sorrow, contentions, wounds without cause, babbling, and redness of eyes. |
| Proverbs 23:31 |
Do not be tempted by intoxicants. |
| Proverbs 23:32 |
God's Word warns that liquor eventually harms all who drink. |
| Proverbs 23:33 |
It fills men's minds with adulterous and impure thoughts. |
| Proverbs 23:33 |
It produces willfulness and prevents reformation. |
| Proverbs 23:34 |
Drink brings insecurity. |
| Proverbs 23:35 |
Insensibility follows drinking, rendering a man as a clod. |
| Proverbs 23:35 |
Drinking is habit-forming. One drink calls for another. |
| Proverbs 31:4-5 |
Kings and all other rulers or officials with the weight of human lives in their control should not indulge. |
| Proverbs 31:6-7 |
The only sanction for the use of strong drink was as a medicine or anesthetic for those about to die. We now know better medicines and anesthetic than whiskey, wine, or beer. |
| Ecclesiastes 2:3; 12:8 |
The writer of Ecclesiastes tried strong drink, but in the end was forced to admit that it too is vanity |
| Ecclesiastes 10:17 |
Blessings are promised to the temperate and abstaining nation. |
| Isaiah 5:11-12 |
Woe comes to the drunkards. |
| Isaiah 5:22 |
More woes to them that drink. |
| Isaiah 22:13 |
Drinking and carnality go together and leave men hopeless. |
| Isaiah 24:9 |
Drink is bitter to them that drink it. |
| Isaiah 28:1 |
Woe comes to the drunkard of Ephraim. |
| Isaiah 28:3 |
The pride of drunkards will be trodden down. |
| Isaiah 28:7 |
Prophets and priests erred through drink. |
| Isaiah 28:7 |
Those who drink are set aside as useless. |
| Isaiah 28:7 |
Prophets and priests are finally swallowed up by drink. |
| Isaiah 28:7 |
Drinking brings on spiritual blindness. |
| Isaiah 56:9-12 |
A rebuke to drinking church members, his watchmen. |
| Jeremiah 35: 5-6, 8, 14 |
Total abstinence of the Rechabites cited as an example of obedience on the part of God's people. |
| Ezekiel 44:21 |
Priests are not to drink wine. |
| Daniel 1:5,8,16; 10:3 |
God honored Daniel because he abstained from the king's wine. Daniel, the man, was true to the home training he had received as a boy. |
| Daniel 5:1 |
Belshazzar exhibited as an example of a leader who drank and taught his people to drink. |
| Daniel 5:2,23 |
This was a nation whose women drink. |
| Daniel 5:5-9,25-28 |
Ruin and downfall for nations whose rulers and leaders cause them to drink. |
| Daniel 5:3 |
Balshazzar's sacrilege in using sacred temple vessels for liquor. |
| Hosea 3:1 |
Part of Hosea's wife's degradation was induced by drink. |
| Hosea 4:11 |
Strong drink and immorality go hand in hand. |
| Hosea 7:5 |
The King and people reproved because of drinking. |
| Joel 1:5 |
Drunkards are to awake from their drinking. |
| Joel 3.3 |
Young virtue sold for the price of drink. |
| Amos 2:8 |
Wine is the drink of the condemned. |
| Amos 1:12 |
Drink is the pollution of the innocent. |
| Amos 4:1 |
Dissolute women and oppressors of the poor call for their liquor. |
| Amos 6:6 |
Drinkers are not concerned about God nor the welfare of others. |
| Nahum 1:10 |
Drunkards will be destroyed. |
| Habakkuk 2:5 |
Arrogance is inflamed by drink. |
| Habakkuk 2:15 |
It is wrong to give one's neighbor drink - no social drinking. |
| Habakkuk 2:16 |
Drink leads to shame and humiliation. |
| Matthew 24:48-51 |
Drunkards warned about the return of Christ and His judgment. |
| Luke 1:15 |
Greatness of John the Baptist linked with his total abstinence. |
| Luke 12:45 |
Christ warns against being enmeshed in drunken evils. |
| Luke 21:34 |
Warning against drunkenness and the cares of this life, keeping one occupied to the exclusion of the Spirit. |
| Romans 13:13 |
All are admonished to walk honestly, not in rioting and drunkenness. It is not honest to be less than men, created in the image of God. |
| Romans 14:21 |
Drinking causes a brother to stumble. Importance of example. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:10 |
No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God. (Therefore the preaching of the Gospel must include preaching against the use of alcohol.) |
| 1 Corinthians 11:25 |
The Lord's Supper no place for wine. Word "wine" not even used. Instead all accounts say "the cup" or "fruit of the vine." |
| Galatians 5:21 |
Revelers in drunkenness shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. |
| Ephesians 5:18 |
Direct command that exhilaration shall be of the Spirit and not by wine. |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:7 |
Sobriety enjoined upon the Thessalonians. Children of light must not be overcome by darkness. |
| 1 Timothy 3:3,8,11-12 |
Church officers must not drink; neither should their families. |
Written by Pastor Barney Lee
West Seneca, New York
Courtesy of http://www.1timothy4-13.com/files/teach/reasons.html
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This page was created on 5 May 2010
Updated on 5 May 2010
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