Where does it say in the Bible?

Question

I'm a believer, and I want to know where do these rules some other christians make up come from, you can not drink, smoke cigars, dance and such? (I like to drink a nice cold beer every now and then, and smoke a smooth cigar, even dance and enjoy some nice music) Where does it speak out against nightclubs where people like to have fun and mingle? Where is the sin? Jesus drank wine and attended weddings and heard one of the first miracles was to make some "hooch". And bars, I like to go to this certain bar in the morning and just sit down and relax after a hard works day and enjoy a nice cold beer or two and watch the news, what's wrong with that? Somebody can help me out with these questions (and not in some flaming judgemental way) thank you.

Answer 1

Paul quotes an OT writer when he says,

2Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

Kind of hard for God to dwell in us if we're smoking and drinking, and associating with people behaving even worse. Many of us would be embarrassed to welcome God into us, if we behave this way . . . so we ignore God, and focus on worldly pleasures --- and that seems to work really well, doesn't it?

Godspeed.

Answer 2

Well the thing is that God is in you when you are born-again, the changes that take place in your life are from the inside out, not the outside in. The more of the Word you know and have in your spirit, the more you will lose your taste for certain things, as the Holy Spirit convicts you. The bible says to not drink wine... "wherein is excess"... nothing wrong with a drink or two?!

Your salvation and eternal life are not dependant on whether you drink or smoke or dance, but if you have faith, if you are faithful... whether you are labouring with God (1 Cor 3:9) for the Kingdom, if you accpet Christ as your Lord and Saviour... thats what counts.

So, don't do anything in excess, take care of your body, give the glory to God... don't get caught up in too many things, or you'll end up with hollow religious activities. You'll be so bound up with trying to become righteous with your 'works' (which is impossible anyway), that you will miss out on really knowing God and being 'built up on your most holy faith' (Jude 1:20).

Take care of yourself, God bless

Answer 3

The Bible doesn't say it is a sin to drink, it says it is a sin to "be a drunkard" or "be a drunk" which is a very different thing. It's listed as a "work of the flesh" in Gal. 5:21

There is a line between "mingling" and simulated sex, the bible says if you have thought about having a woman in your mind, you have committed adultry, and if you are "grinding" (which really is a euphamism) many christians believe you are cheating on your (present or future) wife.

As for smoking, there are plenty of reasons not to for your health and you can lean on I Cor 6:19-20. "Your body is the temple of the holy spirit". Also, smoke isn't good for people around you and I think generally that can fall under the golden rule in lot of situations, but I don't think it's strictly forbidden.

Answer 4

It doesn't. For one thing, cigars were not invented until much later. The general advice is to take care of you body and don't be a bad influence to others. That may or may not mean staying out of bars depending on the people you are trying to influence. Cigars will never do you any good.

Answer 5

I am a believer as well. I drink occasionally and smoke. Oh yea, I listen to the radio too. I have been taught that you are supposed to treat your body as a temple, so I know that I shouldn't smoke, but I do, and I do not believe that will hinder my eternal life. With drinking, my Pastor told me that it becomes a sin when getting drunk intentionally becomes focus. With music and dancing I THINK, that YOU have to decide what music and dances are appropriate for you.

Answer 6

One verse comes to mind...
*Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
That scripture does not say you cannot drink, just drink in moderation. In fact, scripture also says to drink wine...
*1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
I think the verse most are looking at is this one...
*1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Laura Schlessinger, the radio personality who dispenses sex advice to people who call in, has said that homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned in any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura which was posted on the Internet.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination.

End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Can and should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse
and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who
sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Answer 8

1Corinthians5:11, 1Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 5:18, This is just a few verses in the Bible to read in reference to the question.

Answer 9

Psalm 1

Answer 10

Its not in the bible, Its just the puritanical protestants talking. they say anything enjoyable is a sin, even sex between married people. Some Protestant preachers have gone so far as to write books on the "correct" way and times for couples to copulate. Sad, ain't it?