Christians and Alcohol

Proverbs 20:1

I. Introduction

A. What should the Christian’s attitude toward alcohol be?

1. We do not want to “spy out the liberty” of other Christians (Gal. 2:4)

2. However, if it is unscriptural, we must stand and speak out against it, as well.

B. Let’s look at scripture, and see what it really says about alcohol

1. Misconceptions people have about alcohol in the Bible

2. Arguments often used to show the Bible supports alcohol consumption

3. Positive arguments against drinking of alcoholic beverages

II. Common Misconceptions About the Bible and Alcohol

A. When wine is mentioned in the Bible, it is always intoxicating

1. If all wine were the same, it would make the Bible sound nonsensical

(Psalm 104:15 vs. Hab. 2:15; Judges 9:13 vs. Prov. 20:1; Is. 55:1 vs. Psa 60:3)

2. oinoV, translated wine, is unspecific of alcohol content (new wine, Matt. 9:17)

3. Thus it is incorrect to assume the word “wine” always means what it means today

B. The people of ancient times had no way to prevent fermentation

1. This too is an unfounded assumption

2. People in ancient times did indeed know, and use, methods to prevent fermentation

3. The contention that people in ancient times had to have drunk intoxicating wine is false.

III. Passages Which Supposedly Support the Drinking of Alcohol

A. The wedding feast of Cana (John 2:1-10)

1. This is often cited as proof that Jesus approves of alcoholic beverages

2. Would Jesus work against righteousness, against the kingdom? (Hab. 2:15; 1 Cor. 6:10)

3. “Good wine” in antiquity was regarded as that in an unfermented state

B. Jesus called a “glutton and a drunkard” (Luke 7:31-35)

1. Jesus’ enemies make this charge: are we to believe the others also?

2. John was a Nazirite: was forbidden to drink any form of grape juice (Num 6:1-4)

3. By contrast, Jesus was not under such a vow, and could drink the “fruit of the vine”

C. No one is to pass judgment on what you drink (Col. 2:16)

1. Context of asceticism and man-made systems of clean and unclean

2. It is irresponsible to take this out of its context (as would Rom. 14:13)

D. Degrees of wine-drinking prescribed (1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3)

1. Deacons and older women are not to be given to “much wine”

2. Does God have two standards? (1 Peter 1:16)

3. Does this truly imply a distinction? No more than Eccl. 7:17, James 1:21

E. Paul’s instruction to Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23)

1. Clearly a reference to medicinal property, not recreational

2. Ancient writers stated that wines which were destitute of strength were useful to the body.

3. There is an implied abstinence on Timothy’s part from any kind of wine (water only)

IV. Positive Prohibitions Against the Consumption of Alcohol as a Beverage

A. The Bible condemns drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:21)

B. The Bible condemns the glamour of alcohol (Isaiah 5:11, 22)

C. The Bible condemns the allure of, and affection for, alcohol (Proverbs 23:29-35)

V. Conclusion

A. Alcohol is a deadly deceiver (Prov. 20:1)

B. Even to those in such deception, God offers reason, forgiveness (Isa. 1:18)

November 15, 2009 (Taken From PreachingHelp.org)