What does the bible say about taking alcohol?

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M

Malu

Guest
#1
Is it a sin for a Christians to drink alcohol or is it bad?
 

jsr1221

Senior Member
Jul 7, 2013
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#2
It's not a sin to drink. It is a sin if you drink just to get drunk. There are plenty of verses that talk about drunkenness.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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#3
Being a drunkard is what the bible defines as sin, drinking a glass of wine on New Years Eve is not sinful. I suppose you have to know your limits or just avoid it all together. As far as whether its bad, well it does have its fruits. Why do you think AA meetings occur? Because people want to be set free from drinking as it has negative effects both on personal health and even the health of the family unit. God has reasons as to why things are called sin, they hurt us and others. This is why the Holy Spirit is grieved when we sin, because He knows that it hurts us and He cares for us. Alcohol consumption to the extent of drunkenness is not edifying, it is as you have said bad.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#4
Taking alcohol? "Taking" anything is wrong... it's stealing. "Thou shalt not steal."
 
M

Malu

Guest
#5
Do you mean drinking alcohol is stealing?
 
M

Malu

Guest
#6
Why many prophet were told not to take alcohol like Samson's mother and other biblical women who carried prophets were denied from dringking alcohol
 
S

sassylady

Guest
#8
Only drunkenness is bad. I have the occasional glass of wine. Do I need it, no, and I could live without it. But I do enjoy it at times when I'm relaxing and want to treat myself. But that is why we each need to work out our own salvation. If you feel you should not do it, then don't.
 
H

Hellooo

Guest
#9
Never mind. You'd think I would know better by now....

I'm guessing English may be a second language for her.
The idiomatic expression in some languages translates to 'take a drink' or you 'have hunger' (instead of BEING hungry). I used to get many weird looks as a kid because I'd say things like "close the lights" (learned English once I started school myself, parents didn't speak it back then)
 
Apr 15, 2014
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#10
I'm guessing English may be a second language for her.
The idiomatic expression in some languages translates to 'take a drink' or you 'have hunger' (instead of BEING hungry). I used to get many weird looks as a kid because I'd say things like "close the lights" (learned English once I started school myself, parents didn't speak it back then)
Sprecht je Nederlands?

And yeah, we could be kinder to people who's first language might not be English.
 
P

purpose

Guest
#11
The Teaching of Sound Doctrine. Titus 2 : 2-5

2
Older men should be sober,serious,temperate,sound in faith,in Love, in patience.
3 Likewise, Older women should be reverent in behavior, and not be false accusers, not be enslaved to wine (drunkness) , but teachers of good things, 4 that they may teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 and to be self-controlled,pure,homemakers, good, obedient to their husband, that the WORD of GOD may not be dishonered.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is decieved by it is not wise.

Proverbs 23: 30-32

30 Those who tarry long at wine, those who go seek mixed wine.31 Do not look on wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; 32 at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,233
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#12
*Lynx hiccups absently and almost falls off his perch when he tries to lie down.
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#13
Why many prophet were told not to take alcohol like Samson's mother and other biblical women who carried prophets were denied from dringking alcohol
This is a good question. However, if certain prophets were specifically told not to drink alcohol for whatever reason, that would support the thought that alcohol was okay for the general population.

There are many places in the Old and New Testaments that show God's people drinking wine. This was clearly allowed. There are also many places warning against drunkenness, so overindulging is definitely not allowed.

In fact, Jesus speaks himself in Mark 2:22 about wine and wineskins.

Mark 2:22 [Jesus speaking] "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins."

Wine is mentioned in the Bible several other times as a way of celebrating. Proverbs 31:6 even says to give strong drink or wine to those who are in distress. There is much mention of "vineyards" in the Old Testament and New Testament. Hope this helps.
 
Aug 2, 2009
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#14
Jesus drank wine with his disciples at the last supper...

Matthew 26:27-29 NIV

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,233
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#15
Oh no. I was hoping nobody would bring that up. Now somebody will have to bring up the theory that it was not really wine, just grape juice, and we'll have to get into Greek and Hebrew definitions of different words for wine and juice...

*Lynx curls up under the table until it all blows over.
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#16
Oh no. I was hoping nobody would bring that up. Now somebody will have to bring up the theory that it was not really wine, just grape juice, and we'll have to get into Greek and Hebrew definitions of different words for wine and juice...

*Lynx curls up under the table until it all blows over.
I have always been fascinated by your interesting debate style Lynx. :cool:
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,233
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#17
I just wish the Bible mentioned rum. Wine is okay but there are some things that just taste better with rum...
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,432
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#18
I just wish the Bible mentioned rum. Wine is okay but there are some things that just taste better with rum...
Lynx, I think "Thy cup rum-meth over..."
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,233
9,296
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#19
Naaaaaah... kinda stretching it there. The forum for twisting bible verses like that is over there. ------->>
 
K

KennethC

Guest
#20
Proverbs 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.