On the issue of alcohol consumption, one thing is sure from the bible; drinking alcohol is not a sin.
There are many occasions alcohol was used, encouraged and enjoyed in the bible, and there are many occasions where the use of alcohol was condemned in the same bible.
But before we start opening the bible, we did a little survey to see people’s perception of others use of occasional alcohol. We asked this question on our Instagram page here.;
Would it bother you if your partner is an occasional drinker?
Here are a few of the responses;
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reni_alugo
Yes it will
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yin_kah
Every one has habits that God is trying to help them on. So if he has learnt to walk consistently in the spirit then I don’t have a problem with it because when it all comes down to it I trust the Holy Spirit to keep him more than I trust him to keep himself.
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dolaporichards
In the first place, I don’t think the person can even be in the “partner” position to me if he drinks… it’s one of my non negotiables lol. So my answer to this question is… he cannot even be a drinker 😁
From the responses, it seems more people will rather not have a partner who is an occasional drinker.
Now, on to Alcohol and the Bible;
From the Bible, Jesus turned water into wine, Paul asked Timothy to use wine as medicine – Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses 1 Tim 5:23. Not to talk of the pages in the old testament that indicates that wine is for man’s enjoyment. – (Ecclesiastes 9:7, Amos 9:14).
But verses that condemn drunkenness are pretty vivid and one reason that stands tall is alcohol’s ability to blur the senses, and you can do anything, or anything can be done to you when you are not in control.
It isn’t smart to get drunk! Drinking makes a fool of you and leads to fights. – Prov 20:1 (Wine is strong and drunkenness is disgraceful, and no one that is excessive in it is wise. – ABPE)
And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions (wild living), but be filled by the Spirit: – Eph 5:18
I bet we all have at least one story of someone doing something stupid when drunk, from beating up wives and children, to driving and hitting innocent people, to bringing harm on self and many more.
I bet we all have at least one story of someone doing something stupid when drunk, from beating up wives and children, to driving and hitting innocent people, to bringing harm on self and many more. Click To TweetDrinking alcohol is not a sin, but its excessive use is clearly termed as a sinful act in the bible.
Another reason it’s frowned at is its power to be addictive.
What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming – Isaiah 5:11
And this for a lot of people leads to wasting their resources.
Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat. Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags. – Prov 23:20-21
I have seen people replace God with wine. What I mean is, so people run to the comfort wine provides at the slightest issue or unfriendly circumstance. My point here is not using wine to escape life’s worries but making it take God’s place. Instead of praying, and trusting God.
I have seen people replace God with wine. People running to the comfort wine provides at the slightest issue or unfriendly circumstance. Click To TweetLet me close with this verse;
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, – Eph 5:18
Paul’s comparison here suggests that the Holy Spirit is a better substitution to what wine might offer. That’s something worth thinking about.
One thing is sure from the bible; drinking alcohol is not a sin but there are many other occasions where the use of alcohol was condemned in the same bible. Click To TweetThanks for reading, we shared this article sometimes back; 50 Reasons Why I Don’t Drink – Jamie Morgan (Pastor & Ex-alcoholic)