Drinking alcohol is a serious societal and spiritual problem Drinking alcohol is a serious societal and spiritual problem. Modern alcoholic drinks are equivalent to “strong drink” which is condemned in Scripture. 1 Peter 4:3 condemns drinking. Drinking leads not only to drunkenness but also to a loss of self control. Some Bible passages are misconstrued or misused to justify drinking. …

The Christian & Alcohol Ephesians 5:18

A Needed Reality Check! Don’t let your reality check bounce! Over 10,000 deaths per year in the U.S. are related to drinking and driving. Alcohol is directly connected to violent crime. Alcohol has a negative effect on the home and personal life. Alcohol has a net negative effect on health. Don’t let your reality check bounce!

Wine and Strong Drink. In the Bible, “wine" is used of the liquid product of the grape -- both fermented & unfermented. (Isaiah 16:10; 65:8; Mark 2:22) Even when fermented, many wines contained low levels of alcohol. The context helps us decide the meaning of “wine” in a given passage.

Wine and Strong Drink. “Strong drink” is “an intoxicant, that is, intensely alcoholic liquor” (Strong’s Dictionary) Its use is condemned or limited everywhere in the O.T. except as an offering or medicinally. (Lev. 10:9; Num 6:3; 28:7; Deut. 14:26; 29:6; Judges 13:4-14; 1 Samuel 1:15; Psa. 69:12; Pro. 20:1; 31:4- 6; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 4:9; 28:7; 56:12; Micah 2:11) Ancient wine or strong drink contained less than 10% alcohol.

Wine and Strong Drink. “Strong drink” compared to modern drink. Ancient strong drink was no more than 10% alcohol. “Strong drink denotes any inebriating drink with about 7–10 percent alcoholic content” (Waltke, NICOT, 2005) Modern wine has an alcohol content of 8% - 15% Some wines have as high as 22% (e.g. Zinfandels). Popular beers are usually in the 4% to 6% range A few are considerably higher. Hard liquors have 40-50% alcohol Bourbon can have nearly 80% alcohol! Virtually every sort of alcoholic beverage sold today would qualify as “strong drink” in Bible times.

Drinking Prohibited in 1 Peter 4:3 Three alcohol related sins: Drunkenness (oinophlugia) Revelries (komos). Drinking parties (potos) Also translated "banquetings," (KJV), or “carousing.” Literally "a drinking" without reference to amount. (cf. Matt. 10:42 "give to drink…a cup of cold water"). R. C. Trench says, "not necessarily excessive," (Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 211). Peter is urging us not to go back to a worldly lifestyle! (Hosea 4:11; 2 Peter 2:20)

Drinking Leads to Other Sins Drunkenness & intoxication (Ephesians 5:15-18; Galatians 5:21) Even righteous people can be ensnared (2 Peter 2:8; Genesis 19:30-36; 9:21) Loss of self control (2 Peter 1:6; Titus 1:8; Proverbs 23:29-35; Hosea 3:11) When does impairment in spiritual skills occur? Praying? Parenting? Decision making?

Defenders of Drinking say… Jesus made wine (John 2:1-11) Did it contain alcohol? If so, how much? Timothy was told to take wine (1 Timothy 5:23) How much? What was the purpose? Only an excess is prohibited (Titus 2:3; 1:7) Prohibiting a lot does not necessarily permit a little! (James 1:21; 1 Peter 4:4) It’s ok as long as it doesn’t cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21) It is good not to drink wine if it causes stumbling. Wine is a food created by God for man to enjoy. (1 Timothy 4:1-5; Col. 2:16-23) We should respect God’s limits.

The Christian & Alcohol Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:1-2)