We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesn’t always make it the best thing for us to do. Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesn’t mean it has to be avoided. Under that logic, we should all get rid of our money to fend off materialism. The Bible talks a lot about the dangers of money, and yet almost no one is advocating for Christians to rid themselves of their money.
Biblical Teaching on Self-Control
Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as alcohol in the Bible. What’s interesting about the debate surrounding this topic is that it’s relatively new. Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and 9 myths about alcohol rarely condemned. Yes, because one’s addiction to chemicals is uncontrollable and unpredicted. Alcoholism is an illness that one does not go out to look for or buy. One frustrating thing is that alcoholism cannot be cured (Johnson, I’ll Quit Tomorrow, p. 159; bold face added).
Steps to Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
7‘Wine’ occurs 236 times in the NASB, 214 times in the NIV, 230 times in the NRSV, and 210 times in the REB. Now, to be sure, not all of these are in positive statements, but neither are the majority in negatives statements. The most common Hebrew word is יינ (134 times in the MT), while the Greek word οἶνος occurs in the New Testament 26 times. 3My views comport with my understanding of what it means to be a New Covenant Christian. Since we have been given the Spirit, we are no longer under the Old Testament law, but now must live by the law of Christ.
What does the Bible say about the consequences of excessive drinking?
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. About 4 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. As a result, their livers may be damaged not only by alcohol but by HCV-related problems as well.
More Commonly Misspelled Words
Then all the king’s sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled. And David invited him, and he ate in his presence and drank, so that he made him drunk. And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
- It should be noted that most wine in Jesus’ day was typically lower in alcoholic content than many liquors today.
- The Bible lives in this tension with the issue of drinking.
- Alcoholic cirrhosis can cause death if drinking continues.
- If you know this and choose to do it anyway, you are sinning against your brother or sister.
And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Proverbs 23:31
Taking an alcoholism screening quiz can help you determine whether you have the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder. “…the soul itself is wisest and best when dry.” He also said wine is an appropriate symbol of Jesus’ blood.[95][96] He noted taking a little wine as medicine is acceptable—lest it make the health worse. Even those who are “moored by reason and time” (such that they are not as much tempted by drunkenness after a day’s work), he still encouraged to mix “as much water as possible” in with the wine to inhibit inebriation.
Another important aspect of the biblical stance on alcohol is the role of Christian leadership in guiding their communities. When it comes to alcohol, the Bible offers guidance and wisdom to help us navigate this complex topic. Paul is basically telling us to think twice about our choices. He’s encouraging us to ask ourselves whether what we’re doing is actually helping us or could end up controlling us.
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him
- We know what the Bible says about drunkenness, but when it comes to drinking alcohol of any kind, that decision is personal.
- In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned two years.
- Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned.
- These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘alcoholism.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
- Of 1939 the statement that alcoholism cannot be cured.