The Christian and AlcoholThe Christian and Alcohol

What the Bible SaysWhat the Bible Says

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

[19] Now the deeds of the flesh are [19] Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, evident, which are: immorality,

impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,

outbursts of anger, disputes, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, dissensions, factions,

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

[21] envying, [21] envying, drunkennessdrunkenness, , carousing, and things like these, of carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have which I forewarn you, just as I have

forewarned you, that forewarned you, that those who those who practice such things will not practice such things will not

inherit the kingdom of Godinherit the kingdom of God. .

1 Thessalonians 5:6-81 Thessalonians 5:6-8

[6] so then let us not sleep as others [6] so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us do, but let us be alert and *soberbe alert and *sober. . [7] For those who sleep do their [7] For those who sleep do their

sleeping at night, and those who get sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. drunk get drunk at night.

[8] But since we are of the day, [8] But since we are of the day, let us be *sober, let us be *sober,

Proverbs 23:31-32Proverbs 23:31-32

[31] [31] Do not look on the wine Do not look on the wine when it is red,when it is red,

When it sparkles in the cup, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;When it goes down smoothly;

[32] At the last it bites like a serpent [32] At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper.And stings like a viper.

Psalm 104:14-15Psalm 104:14-15

[14] [14] He causes He causes the grass to grow the grass to grow for the cattle,for the cattle,

And vegetation for the labor of man,And vegetation for the labor of man,So that he may bring forth food So that he may bring forth food

from the earth,from the earth,[15] [15] And wine which makes And wine which makes

man's heart gladman's heart glad,,So that he may make his So that he may make his

face glisten with oil,face glisten with oil,And food which sustains man's heart.And food which sustains man's heart.

1 Timothy 5:231 Timothy 5:23

[23]  No longer drink water [23]  No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach for the sake of your stomach

and your frequent ailments.and your frequent ailments.

1 Peter 4:31 Peter 4:3

[3] For the time already past is [3] For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried sufficient for you to have carried

out the desire of the Gentiles, out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of having pursued a course of

sensuality, lusts, sensuality, lusts, drunkennessdrunkenness, , carousing, carousing, drinking parties drinking parties

and abominable idolatries. and abominable idolatries.

Some Background Some Background on the Termson the Terms

1) The words translated 1) The words translated “wine” can be either “wine” can be either fermentedfermented or or notnot. .

2) There were a wide 2) There were a wide variety of variety of opinionsopinions on wine on wine and and preparationpreparation methods. methods.

1 Timothy 3:81 Timothy 3:8

[8]  Deacons likewise must be [8]  Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double- men of dignity, not double-

tongued, or tongued, or addicted to much addicted to much winewine or fond of sordid gain, or fond of sordid gain,

Ephesians 5:18Ephesians 5:18

[18] And do not get [18] And do not get drunk with winedrunk with wine, , for that is dissipation, but be for that is dissipation, but be

filled with the Spirit, filled with the Spirit,

3 Major Positions on 3 Major Positions on “Drinking but not Drunk”“Drinking but not Drunk”

1) Some believe any 1) Some believe any alcoholic drink is alcoholic drink is

condemnedcondemned..

2) Some believe that 2) Some believe that moderationmoderation is the key. is the key.

3) Some believe a Christian 3) Some believe a Christian should should abstainabstain from all from all

alcohol for other alcohol for other reasonsreasons..

Influence on OthersInfluence on Others

What Reasons?What Reasons?

Romans 14:20-21Romans 14:20-21

[20] Do not tear down the work [20] Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who they are evil for the man who

eats and gives offense. eats and gives offense.

[21] [21] It is good not to eat meat or to It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbleswhich your brother stumbles. .

Higher Standard of HolinessHigher Standard of Holiness

What Reasons?What Reasons?

Numbers 6:1-4Numbers 6:1-4

[1] Again the LORD spoke to Moses, [1] Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2] “Speak to the sons of saying, [2] “Speak to the sons of

Israel and say to them, ‘When a man Israel and say to them, ‘When a man or woman makes a special vow, the or woman makes a special vow, the

vow of a *Nazirite, to dedicate vow of a *Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the LORD, himself to the LORD,

Numbers 6:1-4Numbers 6:1-4[3] [3] he shall abstain from wine and he shall abstain from wine and

strong drinkstrong drink; he shall drink no ; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grape juice nor eat fresh or dried

grapes. [4] ‘All the days of his grapes. [4] ‘All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, that is produced by the grape vine,

from the seeds even to the skin.from the seeds even to the skin.

Let’s not give in to Let’s not give in to deedsdeeds of the of the fleshflesh..