Is is okay for Christians to drink alcohol

[GM777]

I've heard it's okay to drink some alcohol, but that getting drunk is a sin, and excessive. For me personally, though, I don't understand the point of drinking if you don't get something out of it (it doesn't taste good), no matter how light. Is it a sin to drink 2-4 Smirnoffs or beers, which would provide a buzz, but not a drunken excess? What is acceptable and what is not?

Thank you for any clarification

 

[bluebonnet]

Psalm 104:14, 15 says that God made wine to make our hearts glad, or to cheer us up, depending upon your translation. And Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana so drinking wine is acceptable. Drunkenness however causes one to lose one's ability to control certain things in his life so it is NOT ok and thus condemned. However, each person would have to judge for himself, maybe even by trial and error at first to see when enough is enough?

 

[Nautilus]

Well personally I find it to be quite delicious so there is that. But there is something relaxing about getting off work and having 2-3 cold ones regardless or whethr or not you feel anything from it.

 

[simplyme_bekah]

No, it lets spirits come inside of you and bad things tend to happen.

 

[rauleetoe]

I've heard it's okay to drink some alcohol, but that getting drunk is a sin, and excessive. For me personally, though, I don't understand the point of drinking if you don't get something out of it (it doesn't taste good), no matter how light. Is it a sin to drink 2-4 Smirnoffs or beers, which would provide a buzz, but not a drunken excess? What is acceptable and what is not?

Thank you for any clarification

While Jesus drank wine..and Paul advised/prescribed wine to Timothy for a stomach ailment..I do believe it is best to take the abstinance position regarding alcohol. Now many drink a glass in faith not feeling any conviction..I agree one possibly can, yet for the sake of my brother or sister who may possibly stumble i have chosen to refrain from it. I do like the taste of beer, and wine..and so its been a dying to self, if you can say. But obviously my brother's walk,and sister's walk is far more important than any freedom I have that could be abused and hurt my brother/sister/destroy them..whom Christ also died for as it says in 1 corinthians 8..that said..I do believe it is best if you can to avoid it. Because many troubles and ills come from alcohol abuse. And I too see in Romans 14 in the latter part it says it is good to not eat meat, or drink wine..or anything else that could cause your brother to stumble. And now, wanting to be more like God, and not be hurtfull to my neighbor or ruin my christian witness..i choose to abstain the light of this.
Not that its an easy choice..but i do not live my life for my own anymore.

 

[Trax]

I've heard it's okay to drink some alcohol, but that getting drunk is a sin, and excessive. For me personally, though, I don't understand the point of drinking if you don't get something out of it (it doesn't taste good), no matter how light. Is it a sin to drink 2-4 Smirnoffs or beers, which would provide a buzz, but not a drunken excess? What is acceptable and what is not?

Thank you for any clarification

Here's an old post linked: http://christianchat.com/miscellaneous/37492-tv-rock-roll-alcohol-rat-poison.html

 

[cassiemorris]

I've heard it's okay to drink some alcohol, but that getting drunk is a sin, and excessive. For me personally, though, I don't understand the point of drinking if you don't get something out of it (it doesn't taste good), no matter how light. Is it a sin to drink 2-4 Smirnoffs or beers, which would provide a buzz, but not a drunken excess? What is acceptable and what is not?

Thank you for any clarification

Jesus drank wine and we drink wine for holy communion so i don't think it's wrong.
Also if we get to drunk we can behave in a way that you wouldn't think you would.
And there alot of people who end up in hospital or evan behind bars for the night i not see the point in having that much drinking to your ill.
but i don't see there is nothing wrong in having some alcahol to get you little bit tipsy but not like out of control drunkiness.

 

[DavEtheBravE]

Dont Live by what others tell you but self conviction is key when it comes to alcohol you have to really ask yourself is this to much?.... Or is this right at all for me. People are different for some its ok but for others it not. Really digg deep in asking your inner man and rely on what you think God Wants for ya

Hope that helps.. Stay Blessed

 

[lost1972]

I dont't personaly drink, but I dont see a person having a beer or a glass of wine as being wrong, the issue is if you cant have just a small amount, if you feel like you have to drink to get drunk then stay away from it.

 

[Trax]

Dont Live by what others tell you but self conviction is key when it comes to alcohol you have to really ask yourself is this to much?.... Or is this right at all for me. People are different for some its ok but for others it not. Really digg deep in asking your inner man and rely on what you think God Wants for ya

Hope that helps.. Stay Blessed

Your "inner man" will lie to you in a heart beat.

 

[RickyZ]

While Jesus drank wine..and Paul advised/prescribed wine to Timothy for a stomach ailment..I do believe it is best to take the abstinance position regarding alcohol. Now many drink a glass in faith not feeling any conviction..I agree one possibly can, yet for the sake of my brother or sister who may possibly stumble i have chosen to refrain from it. I do like the taste of beer, and wine..and so its been a dying to self, if you can say. But obviously my brother's walk,and sister's walk is far more important than any freedom I have that could be abused and hurt my brother/sister/destroy them..whom Christ also died for as it says in 1 corinthians 8..that said..I do believe it is best if you can to avoid it. Because many troubles and ills come from alcohol abuse. And I too see in Romans 14 in the latter part it says it is good to not eat meat, or drink wine..or anything else that could cause your brother to stumble. And now, wanting to be more like God, and not be hurtfull to my neighbor or ruin my christian witness..i choose to abstain the light of this.
Not that its an easy choice..but i do not live my life for my own anymore.

I agree with your choices and would never try to convince you to do otherwise. But I throw this out for consideration.

We have two kinds of brothers, first and foremost those in Christ who we are responsible to. But there is also the brotherhood of man, which includes those who are not saved. Say you go out and friends order a glass of wine and you say no because of your Christian mores. One of them, unsaved, thinks to himself 'man these people don't get to have any fun, they can't even have a simple glass of wine, glad I'm not one of them'. Is that too not a form of causing a brother to stumble? Yes I know that's not what the scripture is talking about and it could be taken too far too easily. Again it's just a thought to consider, while for sure we don't want to trip up our bretheren in the Lord, we also don't want to throw up unecessary roadblocks for the unsaved.

 

[RickyZ]

Whenever people talk about alcohol and God, I think back to that party where, having run out of wine, Jesus thought 'now that everyone's buzzed let's bring out the good stuff'. As with most things out there, moderation not prohibition is the key.

Becka brought up a good point on spiritual awareness. Psychoactive drugs (of which alcohol is one) open one up spiritually, that's why they are so often used in the occult and black practices. One must be VERY careful in what one dabbles with innocently...

 

[AgapeSpiritEyes]

I desire a high that is Holy Spirit induced at least i am under Holy influence what relief! Comfort so i do not second guessing if i am a witness or if any unclean unholy spirit enters in an unlocked door in my soul or spirit or body!

 

[starfield]

I've heard it's okay to drink some alcohol, but that getting drunk is a sin, and excessive. For me personally, though, I don't understand the point of drinking if you don't get something out of it (it doesn't taste good), no matter how light. Is it a sin to drink 2-4 Smirnoffs or beers, which would provide a buzz, but not a drunken excess? What is acceptable and what is not?

Thank you for any clarification

The bible does not condemn drinking but drunkenness, however consuming intoxicating beverages can lead to drunkenness which leads to reckless actions. Noah in the bible got drunk and exposed himself then cursed his grandson. If he was in the 21th century, he's decision might have been grabbing his car keys and hitting the roads, which may result in a fatal accident or him being paralysed for life. Of what profit would this be? Lot drank and got drunk then his daughters took advantage of him and this resulted in formation of two nations against Israel. Many people today struggle with alcohol addiction and it doesn't start with consuming five bottles of beer a day rather it starts off gradually such as one glass a day or light social drinking then they eventually become addicted and worse, in denial of alcoholism.

With that begin said, you won't lose anything by abstaining from alcoholic beverages. If alcohol poses as a hindrance to godliness then one should abstain from it. The bible says that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

[gb9]

i don't understand why people want to add things to God's word. you just said that there are no verses saying that drinking is a sin , but you go on to say it is. if there are no verses, then it is not a sin to have a drink. getting drunk is a sin. having a drink is not.

 

[Precious_Sunflower]

Well, the bible is clear about that it is only when you get drunk that it is wrong with drinking Also if you look at countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and even Israel too; Then drinking wine with the meal is a part of the culture. And this has been a part of their culture for centuries and still goes on this way. I do not beleive that they drink wine with the food to become drunk by it. There will of course be people that cannot control their drinking, when this is clear to happening for someone, then it is best for them to abstain from it.

 

[starfield]

i don't understand why people want to add things to God's word. you just said that there are no verses saying that drinking is a sin , but you go on to say it is. if there are no verses, then it is not a sin to have a drink. getting drunk is a sin. having a drink is not.

I said that the bible condemns drunkenness (Gal 5:21) and I also stated negative effects of alcohol use (DUI, alcohol abuse).

I don't see how I added to God's word.

 

[Strickalator]

I have been drunk before, but i only do it at home, But I only drink enough to relieve stress and pain and relax, I have gotten really drunk but I go no where and stay home and then fall alseep.

 

[rauleetoe]

I agree with your choices and would never try to convince you to do otherwise. But I throw this out for consideration.

We have two kinds of brothers, first and foremost those in Christ who we are responsible to. But there is also the brotherhood of man, which includes those who are not saved. Say you go out and friends order a glass of wine and you say no because of your Christian mores. One of them, unsaved, thinks to himself 'man these people don't get to have any fun, they can't even have a simple glass of wine, glad I'm not one of them'. Is that too not a form of causing a brother to stumble? Yes I know that's not what the scripture is talking about and it could be taken too far too easily. Again it's just a thought to consider, while for sure we don't want to trip up our bretheren in the Lord, we also don't want to throw up unecessary roadblocks for the unsaved.

Good analogy..while some may see this christian who chooses to abstain in the company of his beer drinking/wine sipping buddies as a frumpy boring person who is deciding not to have a drink. I think if someone asks, and you do so without snubbing your nose at them and thinking you are better than them..but merely saying, i have chosen to abstain..or as one wesleyan i heard say 'i have taken an oath' That usually sums it up and ends the conversation. If someone is going to be resisting God i do believe it will be for far more than you abstaining..after all, I do believe most non believers know this is what is expected of Christians(that we live differently) My associate Pastor today was preaching at church and mentioned how she was asked by her folks who are not christian as to if there are different types of Christians..she responded by saying no there is not. Yet her mom mentioned how she noticed different behaviors amongst different people who claim to be christians. I am not saying to be stiffnecked and not have fun..but if this making myself to be cool and attainable and not stiffnecked to the world means i must do all the things that they do..where do you draw the line?
Do we shack up, do we do the other things they do..do dirty jokes,etc..Or do we seek a higher and better way and do we choose to while remaining in the world,not being of the world?
think about it. If someone is going to see my choosing to abstain(for many various reasons i have chosen too, i never said id not like a beer, but my life is not my own anymore) if this is a roadblock as you say..i wonder if they were just looking for a reason to reject the Christian life or find an excuse to label me as 'religious' and High and mighty.

 

[rauleetoe]

I said that the bible condemns drunkenness (Gal 5:21) and I also stated negative effects of alcohol use (DUI, alcohol abuse).

I don't see how I added to God's word.

Not only does it say in ephesians 5:18 to not be drunk with wine,wherein is excess..it also says in 1 corinthians 8 to not use our freedoms as a cause for our brother to stumble..
in 1 corinthians 10,and in other places it says..all things are permitted..but not all things are beneficial. So while some may accuse you of adding to the word, they merely want to hold onto a freedom..that i do not deny they have..but is holding onto this freedom helpfull or possibly hurtfull to the body? And if it is possibly hurtfull to oneself or to the body..or to even your witness, why would you choose to hold onto this unnecessary thing any longer?

simply abstain from alcohol..once you do..after a few weeks..you find you do not even really crave it anymore..