Christians: How do you feel about drinking wine?

Question

Or any alcohol for that matter? I'm not of drinking age yet, got about 3.5 years left, but ever since I was small, it's been like complete taboo to hear Christians and wine in the same sentence. My parents and I have to come to joke about it lately. I was wondering for when I did get of age. I've never seen a problem with it and don't see in the Bible where it's a sin. I do know that it says for bishops and deacons to be sober and not given to strong drink. I know that you shouldn't get drunk wherein is excess. (I'm not trying to get drunk.) Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for the stomach's sake and no more drink water.

So, is it wrong? For example, if I'm at a nice restaurant with a nice meal, is it wrong to get a glass of wine or at a friend's wedding, something like champagne? Just wondering what you think!

Answer 1

Dear insidious 22,

First let me say that it's very refreshing to hear you quote the Bible and you seem to have studied it well.

The Bible does not prohibit drinking (although the law does- so first you should be 21 to drink). The Bible does prohibit drunkenness (and i think we shouldn't be so quick to just point the finger at sin- but remember that sin is an issue of the heart). How many families and lives have been destroyed by alcohol (and how often do people run to the bottle instead of the "Bible" for relief from their stressful life situations?

i think it's fine in moderation (assuming you're of drinking age). I often enjoy a nice glass of wine with my steak or at weddings.

Also some sidenotes are:

*The wine that Timothy drank at that time- was much more diluted than the wine we drink today.

*We have to keep in mind - that though we have liberty we shouldn't stumble others- if we have friends that struggle with alcohol- although we have the freedom to drink we may want to refrain from exercising that freedom.

Or say when you're 21 and you're hanging out with some of your 18-19 year old friends you may want to refrain from drinking so as not to be a source of temptation for them.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 2

How much alcohol does it take to impair your judgment? The law will say that one glass per hour is the limit for a medium sized person. Alcohol is not healthy and the wine that is spoken of in the Bible is not as strong as the wine today. I think that it is up to your discretion. The only problem is that some people can't just have one drink. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore we should take care of the temple.

Answer 3

Romans 14:23 says:
"But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

This indicates that if your conscience is hurt by something, you should not do it, because it will be sinful for you. If you can have a glass of wine with a clear conscience, then I say, go ahead. Jesus turned water into wine, so He wasn't a teetotaler.

Many Christians oppose alcohol because of the detrimental effects of alcoholism, which can be easy for some people to develop.

If you are having a drink with a meal for the enjoyment of the taste, and refrain from having too much, then I think it's fine. I drink very occasionally, but not to excess.

Guard yourself against ever turning to alcohol as a balm for negative emotions. Such as, "I had a terrible day. I need a drink!" That will lead you toward the danger of alcoholism.

Also, if it would upset a Christian who believes drinking is wrong, then you should not drink in their presence.
Romans 14:15-17 says:
"If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

So, if it will not hurt your conscience or your companion's conscience, break out the champagne! (When you are of legal age to do so, of course.)

Answer 4

If it was a sin, would they have served it at the last supper? Would Jesus have changed water into wine?

Of course it's not wrong. In fact, a glass of red wine can be good for you. It's nice to have for a meal or a special event, like you say. As a Christian, I have no problem with that.

Answer 5

The apostle Paul suggested that Timothy have a glass of wine with meals for his digestion. I personally think that wine in moderation is not wrong. The bible does ., however, have strictures against drunkenness. Not because God is a killjoy but because of the damage that drunkenness does to lives and families.

Answer 6

the bible says TO drink wine... nothing is wrong with drinking alcohol in general.

1 Timothy 5:23
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Answer 7

Don't you honestly think this is one of those things that calls for just good oldfashioned intelligent common sense? For crying out loud, even Jesus is alleged to have "turned water into wine" at a wedding feast when they ran out of it. LOL.

You are always going to find people who have decided to follow the thinking that religious fanatics often have - it it feels good or tastes good, it HAS to be a sin. I used to know a very devout Southern Baptist lady who did a job visiting very elderly shut-ins...... people who because of age and/or disability, can't go out, and people have to do their shopping for them and get their medicines from the pharmacy, and just go visit them couple of times a week and sit with them awhile. This acquaintance of mine was a good person and she felt she was doing a good thing volunteering for this work. But she told me one time that one of the elderly women she visited regularly had asked her to buy her a bottle of wine. She was out, and it was her habit to take a small glass of wine every night before she went to bed because it helped her to sleep. The woman announced rather self-righteously that she had refused to do so because she would have nothing to do with encouraging another person to take "the demon alcohol". I have to tell you I lost a little respect for her that day. You'd have thought that the little 80 something year old lady was in danger of becoming a raging drunkard from her innocent nightly glass of wine.

For several years now it has been medically recognised that a small shot of alcohol every day, particularly a little glass of red wine, not only does aid digestion, but is extremely heart healthy. We hear all the horror stories about alcoholics, but nobody ever mentions the fact that there are millions and millions and millions of people who take a little daily alcohol and do NOT become alcoholics, but live completely normal, intelligent, responsible lives. Alcohol is no different from any other thing that is good for you when used sensibly, but bad for you when it is abused. As a matter of fact many many times more people in this world die from the diseases brought on by overeating than ever die from the use of alcohol. People in this country are literally digging their graves with their teeth, yet you never hear Christians expressing their horror about that.

Answer 8

Insidious,
I do not partake of any alcohol because I never want anyone to think that I am going to become drunk. It also tends to lessen your ability to speak with others about the gospel which Christians are told to do in Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission of Christ). Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds


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Answer 9

All good things are in Moderation, so a glass or two of wine should not be considered a bad thing or a sin for that matter.

Just remember to moderate that is the key.

Answer 10

I don't have a problem with drinking wine. Getting drunk, I have a problem with. Eating until you get sick, I have a problem with. Anything done to the extreme, I have a problem with. Jesus consecrated wine at the Last Supper and He is the one Christians follow. At the wedding at Canna, He turned water into wine. If it was good enough for Him, it is surely good enough for me.