Now before anyone gets worried, I never plan on drinking just to get drunk or any of that nonsense. I'm talking about the harmless glass of wine or beer to go along with the nice meal I just ordered at the restaurant.
Nearly everyone has a different stance on this. Some choose not to drink because of a past issue with alcohol or simply because they don't want to tempt themselves with it. Others say that there's not problem as long as you do it in moderation and they follow this in their own lives. Of course, there are always those who will take either stand to its furthest extreme, but I'm talking mainly of the two I've presented.
The Bible never says anything against drinking as long as you don't take it too far. We are often warned against getting drunk, but wine itself is never condemned. In fact, Jesus drank it and it was included in his first miracle. And don't give me that junk about it being the same as grape juice. Yes, their wine was more watered down than ours, but it mentioned party guests usually getting drunk. I've never heard of anyone getting drunk on grape juice.
1 Peter 4:3
3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
So really, it's a matter of personal preference and conviction- whether one should drink or not. So far, I have not come to any conclusion on the matter except that I should do whatever God leads me to do. I still have plenty of time to make a decision.
I just thought I'd bring up this interesting topic as a point of interest. If you have personally made a decision on the matter, feel free to share about what caused you to make that decision in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you!
Have a blessed day!
4 responses:
I've had to make a decision on the issue, since I have traveled around where it's legal to drink, and my mom has certainly offered to let me taste her wine plenty of times.
Another Scripture reference with wine is in one of Paul's epistles (I don't recall which one at the moment) where he encourages them to drink wine because, in those times, the water wasn't very purified, and they were getting sick because they were being legalistic about wine-drinking.
The main conclusion I've come to is that if I'm not gonna lead anyone astray with it, drinking for pleasure, to enjoy the taste, is fine. If you're aiming to get tipsy or drunk, or if you are in a leadership position, it's best not to drink.
I like my school's policy, which is to only drink when your parents are present. Since I'm not in any leadership position at the moment, that's the deal I'm going with right now.
I know that there are many who hold the same views as you, but is afraid to say. I find that the word is very specific on this subject. The sin is in becoming drunk through excessive use of alcoholic beverages. I'm in agreement with you. We can't be ignorant about what is clearly written in the word.
I have already made the decision to not drink when i get older. Simply because i do not want to lead anyone around me astray. I won't know everyone's background on this topic and wether or not they have had an issue with it before, so it's my personal conviction to not drink when i come of age to make that decision [or before i come of age either :P] It's just something to where i would rather be safe than sorry. The lines of right and wrong are so blurry and grey these days to where i'd rather be more cautious than not.. but that could just be me (:
I'll just say this, I have been drunk from alcohol and from the Holy Spirit!! (Y.F.N.)I'de much rather be drunk from the Holy Spirit. I know you not talking about getting drunk, but in my opinion there is no reason to drink wine or any kind of alcohol. We have so many other drinks and the water is fine! Like London said back in the bible times, sometimes the water was just to nasty and they had to drink wine. Even one glass can put us in a "happy place." I'd rather be in the presents of God feeling good than from a glass of wine. It's much easier to get a glass of wine to relax all the stresses of the day away, than it is to come to God and relax in His presents!
I'm not very good at explaining myself by writing but if you wanted to talk to me about this, I would love to sit with you and talk.
I love you Kirsten!!
~Val~
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