Friday Night Fellowship Blog

Is it okay for a Christian to drink wine with dinner - February 10, 2008

I think everyone can agree that a Christian should be sober and alert. The Bible specifically says that drunkeness leads to sin. Going out and getting loaded and partying is not a very good witness to others, it demeans us as a person, often hurts others, puts us in danger, and wounds the heart of our Lord Christ Jesus.

Also, it is a given that folks who have a problem with alcohol or addiction should stay completely away from it.

But, there is an age old question about moderation. What does it hurt to have one beer on a hot day or with pizza? Or, why is it so bad to have a nice glass of wine with dinner? And, Paul did tell Timothy to take a little wine for health reasons and now we know there is science behind that statement. Wine has health benefits that includes helping digestion of fats. So, is it okay to take small amounts of wine medicinally?

We'd like to hear from you on this one. What do you think is the appropriate Biblical response to this question of wine (or having one beer).

Blessings,

Rev. Cheryl Birch

2008-02-11 07:39:59 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

The comments I read here have merit.
In the presence of others, though, I think that
1 Cor. 8:2,8-13 has merit. The question of our influence in the world is rather important. And I've read that 1 ounce of alcohol destroys 10,000 brain cells, if I'm remembering correctly. I don't think I can spare that many.
How about you? God Bless

--Evelyn Brainerd
<mailto:evbrnrd@att.net>

2008-02-18 22:10:53 GMT

Author:Anonymous

As one who grew up with an alcoholic parent-someone who was subsequently set free by the Lord, I grew up resenting, and then in fear of, drinking. I drank when I backslid, but it led to the keeping of bad company and I grew further from the Lord. As I have matured in Yeshua the Messiah's love and fruit of the Spirit, I realize now that I posess the self control that the H.S. produces in me and am no longer in fear of alcohol or drunkeness. If I have a glass of wine with dinner, I thank God for the freedom He has given me in Messiah and I thank Him for the wisdom to be able to discern that a little is enjoyable, too much is bondage, and even the worrying behind such a matter is a chain I no longer carry. I also thank him for the fruit of the vine and THE Vine, of which he created (as the prayer which Jesus Himself pronounced states: Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu, Melech Ha Olam Bo re pri, hagafen- Blessed art thou O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine). I thank Him for the wisdom to know to be sober and to be vigilant for the days are short. And I do not drink in the presence of new or weak bretheren so as to be a stumbling stone. As a messianic believer in Messiah, I have wine at Passover, unless the Holy Spirit directs me to drink juice. As the Jews, who have been custodians of the Word of God have understood from the Word, all things in moderation- to drink wine is permitted, and sometimes encouraged. To become drunk is a shame. And as Paul the apostle stated- a paraphrase- (you) may say all things are permissible for me, but not all thing are beneficial. And so it is that it remains a decision each must make according to his or her own conscience. As it says in the epistles, if one is to honor one day above another, let him do it as unto the Lord, and as one does not honor one day above another, let him do it not as unto the Lord. And as one who abstains (from food or drink)...let him do it likewise as unto the Lord. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. We have the freedom to partake, and we have the freedom to abstain! Praise be to God!
--Vesteen Blackman
<mailto:vesteenb@aol.com>

2008-03-10 21:53:42 GMT

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		Posting Christian ideas and concerns for comment.

		Is it okay for a Christian to drink wine with dinner - February 10, 2008 I think everyone can agree that a Christian should be sober and alert. The Bible specifically says that drunkeness leads to sin. Going out and getting loaded and partying is not a very good witness to others, it demeans us as a person, often hurts others, puts us in danger, and wounds the heart of our Lord Christ Jesus. Also, it is a given that folks who have a problem with alcohol or addiction should stay completely away from it. But, there is an age old question about moderation. What does it hurt to have one beer on a hot day or with pizza? Or, why is it so bad to have a nice glass of wine with dinner? And, Paul did tell Timothy to take a little wine for health reasons and now we know there is science behind that statement. Wine has health benefits that includes helping digestion of fats. So, is it okay to take small amounts of wine medicinally? We'd like to hear from you on this one. What do you think is the appropriate Biblical response to this question of wine (or having one beer). Blessings, Rev. Cheryl Birch 2008-02-11 07:39:59 GMT Comments (2 total) Author:Anonymous The comments I read here have merit. In the presence of others, though, I think that 1 Cor. 8:2,8-13 has merit. The question of our influence in the world is rather important. And I've read that 1 ounce of alcohol destroys 10,000 brain cells, if I'm remembering correctly. I don't think I can spare that many. How about you? God Bless --Evelyn Brainerd <mailto:evbrnrd@att.net> 2008-02-18 22:10:53 GMT Author:Anonymous As one who grew up with an alcoholic parent-someone who was subsequently set free by the Lord, I grew up resenting, and then in fear of, drinking. I drank when I backslid, but it led to the keeping of bad company and I grew further from the Lord. As I have matured in Yeshua the Messiah's love and fruit of the Spirit, I realize now that I posess the self control that the H.S. produces in me and am no longer in fear of alcohol or drunkeness. If I have a glass of wine with dinner, I thank God for the freedom He has given me in Messiah and I thank Him for the wisdom to be able to discern that a little is enjoyable, too much is bondage, and even the worrying behind such a matter is a chain I no longer carry. I also thank him for the fruit of the vine and THE Vine, of which he created (as the prayer which Jesus Himself pronounced states: Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu, Melech Ha Olam Bo re pri, hagafen- Blessed art thou O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine). I thank Him for the wisdom to know to be sober and to be vigilant for the days are short. And I do not drink in the presence of new or weak bretheren so as to be a stumbling stone. As a messianic believer in Messiah, I have wine at Passover, unless the Holy Spirit directs me to drink juice. As the Jews, who have been custodians of the Word of God have understood from the Word, all things in moderation- to drink wine is permitted, and sometimes encouraged. To become drunk is a shame. And as Paul the apostle stated- a paraphrase- (you) may say all things are permissible for me, but not all thing are beneficial. And so it is that it remains a decision each must make according to his or her own conscience. As it says in the epistles, if one is to honor one day above another, let him do it as unto the Lord, and as one does not honor one day above another, let him do it not as unto the Lord. And as one who abstains (from food or drink)...let him do it likewise as unto the Lord. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. We have the freedom to partake, and we have the freedom to abstain! Praise be to God! --Vesteen Blackman <mailto:vesteenb@aol.com> 2008-03-10 21:53:42 GMT Compose a comment for this post. Comment: 0 characters left (limit 4,000 characters). No HTML permitted. Author (optional): Email address or URL (optional): Word verification: To validate this comment, showing us that you are human, and not a computer, please retype the following code in the field provided. (This helps prevent blog spam.) Site Home