May Christians Drink May Christians Drink Alcohol?Alcohol?

Take Your Stand! Take Your Stand! Honoring the Lord in Honoring the Lord in allall we do is our we do is our

commitment as Christians (Col. 3:17; cf. commitment as Christians (Col. 3:17; cf. Rom. 14:23; 10:17).Rom. 14:23; 10:17).

Does God, in His word, approve of the Does God, in His word, approve of the drinking of alcoholic beverages?drinking of alcoholic beverages? (2 Tim. 3:16-17)(2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Failure to take a stand on this important Failure to take a stand on this important issue is to put yourself and even your family issue is to put yourself and even your family in a precarious situation! in a precarious situation!

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NASB)1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NASB)

21 But 21 But examine everything examine everything carefullycarefully; hold fast to that which is ; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.of evil.

All Christians should know the All Christians should know the biblical truthbiblical truth concerning alcohol concerning alcohol

and make the and make the rightright choice that will choice that will please the Lord!please the Lord!

There is Approval or Condemnation There is Approval or Condemnation of Wine in the Scriptures, of Wine in the Scriptures, Depending on the Context.Depending on the Context.

ApprovalApproval

Num 18:12 (NASB) All the best of Num 18:12 (NASB) All the best of the fresh oil and all the best of the the fresh oil and all the best of the fresh winefresh wine and of the grain, the and of the grain, the first fruits of those first fruits of those which they give which they give to the LORDto the LORD, I give them to you., I give them to you.

ApprovalApproval

Gen 27:28 (NASB) Now Gen 27:28 (NASB) Now may God may God give yougive you of the dew of heaven, And of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and abundance of grain and new winenew wine;;

ApprovalApproval

Isa 55:1 (NASB) "Ho! Every one Isa 55:1 (NASB) "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, And you who have no money come, buy and eat. buy and eat. Come, buy wineCome, buy wine and and milk Without money and without milk Without money and without cost. cost. – cf. Isaiah 55:1-13– cf. Isaiah 55:1-13

CondemnedCondemned

Dan 1:8 (NASB) But Daniel made Dan 1:8 (NASB) But Daniel made up his mind that up his mind that he would not he would not defile himselfdefile himself with the king's choice with the king's choice food or food or with the wine which he with the wine which he drankdrank; so he sought permission ; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.that he might not defile himself.

CondemnedCondemned

Lev 10:8-10 (NASB) 8 The LORD then spoke Lev 10:8-10 (NASB) 8 The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, 9 to Aaron, saying, 9 "Do not drink wine or "Do not drink wine or strong drinkstrong drink, neither you nor your sons with , neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die — it is a perpetual so that you may not die — it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations — 10 statute throughout your generations — 10 and so as to make a distinction between the and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,unclean and the clean,

Condemned in the ProverbsCondemned in the Proverbs

Wine is described as Wine is described as “the wine of “the wine of violence”violence” (Prov. 4:17), a (Prov. 4:17), a mockermocker and and brawlerbrawler that intoxicates that intoxicates making a person unwise (Prov. making a person unwise (Prov. 20:1).20:1).

The heavy drinker will come to The heavy drinker will come to poverty (Prov. 23:20-21).poverty (Prov. 23:20-21).

Condemned in the ProverbsCondemned in the Proverbs

Wine brings woe, sorrow, Wine brings woe, sorrow, contentions, poverty and contentions, poverty and complaining, it bites like a viper, it complaining, it bites like a viper, it confuses, causes visions, poor confuses, causes visions, poor judgments, violence, bitterness, judgments, violence, bitterness, and destruction (Prov 23:20-35; and destruction (Prov 23:20-35; 31:4-7; cf. Isa. 28:7).31:4-7; cf. Isa. 28:7).

The reason why wine was approved The reason why wine was approved in some cases and condemned in in some cases and condemned in others was others was because the former because the former

spoke of spoke of non-alcoholicnon-alcoholic wine and wine and the latter of the latter of alcoholicalcoholic wine. wine.

Fermented vs. Unfermented WineFermented vs. Unfermented Wine

Wine which is alcoholic contains Wine which is alcoholic contains alcohol because the grape juice had alcohol because the grape juice had gone through a gone through a fermentationfermentation process.process.

Non-alcoholic wine is grape juice Non-alcoholic wine is grape juice that is that is ununfermented.fermented.

FermentationFermentation

That process in which yeast cells That process in which yeast cells act on the sugar content of fruit act on the sugar content of fruit juice and convert the sugar to juice and convert the sugar to carbon dioxide and alcohol. carbon dioxide and alcohol.

The Ancients Had a Choice Between The Ancients Had a Choice Between Alcoholic or Nonalcoholic Wine.Alcoholic or Nonalcoholic Wine.

For the ancients, making wine alcoholic For the ancients, making wine alcoholic was was notnot an easy process. an easy process.– Fermentation was a chance process that Fermentation was a chance process that

required temperatures of the wine to be required temperatures of the wine to be carefully regulated.carefully regulated.

– DistillationDistillation, the process used to make , the process used to make beverages with a higher alcohol content, 40 beverages with a higher alcohol content, 40 to 50% alcohol (e.g., whiskey, gin, vodka, to 50% alcohol (e.g., whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum), was and rum), was not discovered until 1100!not discovered until 1100!

Many actually Many actually preferredpreferred unfermented or nonalcoholic wine.unfermented or nonalcoholic wine.

PlinyPliny (A.D. 61-113): "The most useful wine has (A.D. 61-113): "The most useful wine has all its force or strength broken by the filter."all its force or strength broken by the filter."

PlutarchPlutarch (A.D. 46-120) wrote, "Wine is (A.D. 46-120) wrote, "Wine is rendered old or feeble in strength when it is rendered old or feeble in strength when it is frequently filtered. The strength or spirit being frequently filtered. The strength or spirit being thus excluded, thus excluded, the wine neither inflames the the wine neither inflames the brain nor infests the mind and the passions, brain nor infests the mind and the passions, and is much more pleasant to drink."and is much more pleasant to drink."

There were several ways to There were several ways to preventprevent wine from fermenting wine from fermenting

or becoming alcoholic. or becoming alcoholic.The The burialburial method methodThe The boilingboiling method (cf. method (cf.

pasteurization is used by the pasteurization is used by the Welch's Grape Juice Co.)Welch's Grape Juice Co.)

The The filteringfiltering method. method.

Thus, the ancients had Thus, the ancients had a choicea choice on on whether to drink fermented whether to drink fermented

(alcoholic) or unfermented wine!(alcoholic) or unfermented wine!

Biblical Reasons Why Biblical Reasons Why Christians Should Christians Should

AbstainAbstain from Alcohol. from Alcohol.

Abstaining from alcohol for Abstaining from alcohol for appearance sake.appearance sake.

1 Thess 5:22 (KJV) Abstain from 1 Thess 5:22 (KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil.all appearance of evil.– This kind of reasoning This kind of reasoning ALONEALONE

presupposespresupposes that that ifif there is no social there is no social stigma attached to drinking, that it stigma attached to drinking, that it would be acceptable to God to drink.would be acceptable to God to drink.

Why Abstain from Alcohol?Why Abstain from Alcohol?

Alcohol hinders our alertness against Alcohol hinders our alertness against evil and our ability to watch for the evil and our ability to watch for the

Lord’s return. Lord’s return.

According to Santamaria, author of According to Santamaria, author of Effects of Alcohol Effects of Alcohol and its Metabolism on the Brainand its Metabolism on the Brain, "at low levels of , "at low levels of intoxication (below .03 blood alcohol content – intoxication (below .03 blood alcohol content – B.A.C.) persons may become less self-conscious and B.A.C.) persons may become less self-conscious and more talkative and have the tendency to more talkative and have the tendency to lose lose emotional controlemotional control. They may also be less socially . They may also be less socially discrete than normal. As the BAC rises to discrete than normal. As the BAC rises to between .03 and .08, social judgment is impaired and between .03 and .08, social judgment is impaired and individuals have individuals have difficulty understanding the difficulty understanding the importance of eventsimportance of events... Later, thinking becomes more ... Later, thinking becomes more difficult and the ability to concentrate is disrupted. difficult and the ability to concentrate is disrupted. Individuals have Individuals have difficulty learning and difficulty learning and rememberingremembering. At this point judgment is poor and the . At this point judgment is poor and the lack of self-awareness leads to a false self-confidence.”lack of self-awareness leads to a false self-confidence.”

Let us not fool ourselves into Let us not fool ourselves into thinking we can drink alcoholic thinking we can drink alcoholic

beverages “moderately”!beverages “moderately”!

People cannot consistently know People cannot consistently know when they have had enough to drink. when they have had enough to drink.

Kessel & Walton, authors of Kessel & Walton, authors of AlcoholismAlcoholism inform us that " inform us that "from from the first drinkthe first drink, our judgment, , our judgment, discrimination, and restraint is discrimination, and restraint is reduced and impaired."reduced and impaired."

AllAll modern day alcoholic beverages modern day alcoholic beverages are “strong drinks” to be avoided.are “strong drinks” to be avoided.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drinkstrong drink a brawler, And a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.wise.

Ancient alcoholic wines do not even Ancient alcoholic wines do not even begin to compare to modern day begin to compare to modern day wines in alcohol content!wines in alcohol content!

To compare the fermented wine drunk To compare the fermented wine drunk today today (which is greatly fortified with extra (which is greatly fortified with extra alcohol)alcohol) from what was drunk in the first from what was drunk in the first century, century, it would require approximately one it would require approximately one gallongallon of the ancient wine of the ancient wine to obtain a .03 to obtain a .03 blood alcohol level while blood alcohol level while it would only it would only require 6 tablespoons of the modern wine to require 6 tablespoons of the modern wine to reach the .04 blood alcohol level!reach the .04 blood alcohol level!

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NASB)1 Peter 5:8-9 (NASB)

8 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alertBe of sober spirit, be on the alert. . Your adversary, the devil, prowls Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.are in the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:3-7 (NASB)1 Thessalonians 5:3-7 (NASB)

4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but others do, but let us be alert and sober.let us be alert and sober. 7 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and night, and those who get drunk get drunk those who get drunk get drunk at nightat night..

Alcohol can cause us to forget Alcohol can cause us to forget God’s law. God’s law.

““Alcohol interferes with short-term Alcohol interferes with short-term memory limiting the ability to store memory limiting the ability to store new information. It’s widely new information. It’s widely understood that alcoholism is seriously understood that alcoholism is seriously damaging to memory, but studies have damaging to memory, but studies have shown that shown that even moderate alcohol use even moderate alcohol use can interfere with the ability to can interfere with the ability to rememberremember.” .” - Aging and Technology Research- Aging and Technology Research

Proverbs 31:4-7 (NASB)Proverbs 31:4-7 (NASB)

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 strong drink, 5 Lest they drink and forget Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and whose life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.trouble no more.

Why Abstain from Alcohol?Why Abstain from Alcohol?

Alcohol can lead to moral Alcohol can lead to moral recklessness and wasteful living.recklessness and wasteful living.

Ephesians 5:18 (NASB)Ephesians 5:18 (NASB)

And do not get drunk with wine, for And do not get drunk with wine, for that is that is dissipationdissipation, but be filled with , but be filled with the Spirit the Spirit –DissipationDissipation (or “debauchery” or (or “debauchery” or

“wherein is excess or riot”):“wherein is excess or riot”): Wasteful, Wasteful, reckless living, shameless reckless living, shameless indifferenceindifference to moral restraintsto moral restraints e.g., 1 e.g., 1 Pet. 4:3-4Pet. 4:3-4

Alcohol is an Alcohol is an addictiveaddictive, habit-, habit-forming forming drugdrug (not a mere beverage). (not a mere beverage). “ “It [alcohol addiction] has multiple It [alcohol addiction] has multiple

characteristics including the chronic characteristics including the chronic consumption of alcohol, a compulsive need consumption of alcohol, a compulsive need to continue to use the drug, the to continue to use the drug, the development of a tolerance to the effects of development of a tolerance to the effects of alcohol, and alcohol, and psychological and physical psychological and physical dependence on the drugdependence on the drug” ” - Davis VE, Walsh - Davis VE, Walsh MJ. MJ.

““Alcohol administration causes Alcohol administration causes release of dopamine in a brain release of dopamine in a brain region (the nucleus accumbens) that region (the nucleus accumbens) that is a key member of a group of linked is a key member of a group of linked structures structures associated with the associated with the development of addictiondevelopment of addiction” ” – Alcohol Research and Health, Vol. 24, No. – Alcohol Research and Health, Vol. 24, No. 1, 20001, 2000

““Approximately 14 million people in Approximately 14 million people in the U.S. are addicted to alcohol or the U.S. are addicted to alcohol or abuse alcohol.”abuse alcohol.”

““Approximately 53% of adults in the Approximately 53% of adults in the United States report that one or more United States report that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking of their close relatives has a drinking problem.” - problem.” - www.alcoholics-info.comwww.alcoholics-info.com

The Scriptures teach that alcohol The Scriptures teach that alcohol can be addictive! can be addictive! ExampleExample: a qualification of : a qualification of an elder is that he is an elder is that he is

“not addicted to wine”“not addicted to wine” - 1 Tim. 3:3, NASB; - 1 Tim. 3:3, NASB;

cf. Titus 1:7; cf. 1 Cor. 6:10cf. Titus 1:7; cf. 1 Cor. 6:10

1 Timothy 3:3 “given to wine” 1 Timothy 3:3 “given to wine” (KJV) or “addicted” (NASB) from (KJV) or “addicted” (NASB) from

PAROINOS: PAROINOS: ““addictedaddicted to wine, to wine, drunken, of one who tends to be drunken, of one who tends to be

quarrelsome as he quarrelsome as he habitually habitually drinksdrinks too much; substantially too much; substantially drunkard”drunkard” – – Friberg LexiconFriberg Lexicon

Alcohol is an addictive, habit-Alcohol is an addictive, habit-forming drug.forming drug.

Alcohol enslaves and controls Alcohol enslaves and controls people!people! (1 Cor. 6:12; cf. Mat. 6:24). (1 Cor. 6:12; cf. Mat. 6:24).

A life of alcoholic addiction is a A life of alcoholic addiction is a miserable life (Prov. 23:29-35).miserable life (Prov. 23:29-35).

Proverbs 23:29-32 (NASB)Proverbs 23:29-32 (NASB)29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long over wine, of eyes? 30 Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine. 31 Do Those who go to taste mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper…serpent, And stings like a viper…

Proverbs 23:33-35 (NASB)Proverbs 23:33-35 (NASB)33 Your eyes will see strange things, And 33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your mind will utter perverse things. 34 your mind will utter perverse things. 34 And you will be like one who lies down in And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. 35 "They lies down on the top of a mast. 35 "They struck me, but I did not become ill; They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. beat me, but I did not know it. When When shall I awake? I will seek another drink." shall I awake? I will seek another drink."

Why Abstain from Alcohol?Why Abstain from Alcohol?

Christians are to be holy, separate Christians are to be holy, separate and distinct people from the rest of and distinct people from the rest of the world (2 Cor 6:17; 1 Pet. 1:16; the world (2 Cor 6:17; 1 Pet. 1:16; cf. Rom. 12:2).cf. Rom. 12:2).

Alcohol Drinking is Alcohol Drinking is Truly a Worldly Activity!Truly a Worldly Activity!

"Alcohol has become so closely "Alcohol has become so closely interwoven with life in the United interwoven with life in the United States that States that two-thirdstwo-thirds of the adult of the adult population use alcohol to some degree” population use alcohol to some degree” ((Alcohol and BehaviorAlcohol and Behavior, Dr. Clayton Rivers)., Dr. Clayton Rivers).

““In the U.S., 66% of the population In the U.S., 66% of the population consumes alcohol.” consumes alcohol.” - - www.alcoholics-info.comwww.alcoholics-info.com

““Social Drinking”Social Drinking”

To drink alcohol or practice To drink alcohol or practice “social drinking”“social drinking” is to be like the is to be like the world which world which renders us renders us withoutwithout “spiritual flavor” having “spiritual flavor” having nono fellowship with Godfellowship with God (Mat. 5:13; cf. 1 John 2:15-16). (Mat. 5:13; cf. 1 John 2:15-16).

1 Peter 4:3-5 (NASB)1 Peter 4:3-5 (NASB)

3 For the time already past is sufficient for you 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkennessdrunkenness, carousals, , carousals, drinking partiesdrinking parties and and abominable idolatries. 4 And in all this, abominable idolatries. 4 And in all this, they are they are surprisedsurprised that you do not run with them into that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign the same excess of dissipation, and they malign youyou; 5 but they shall give account to Him who is ; 5 but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.ready to judge the living and the dead.

Proverbs 23:20-21 (NASB)Proverbs 23:20-21 (NASB)

20 20 Do not be withDo not be with heavy drinkers heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the heavy drinker of meat; 21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. a man with rags. – cf. 1 Cor 5:11; 15:33 – cf. 1 Cor 5:11; 15:33

The medical use is not an excuse for The medical use is not an excuse for the social use!the social use!

1 Tim 5:23 (NASB) No longer 1 Tim 5:23 (NASB) No longer drink water exclusively, but drink water exclusively, but use a use a little winelittle wine for the sake of your for the sake of your stomach and your frequent stomach and your frequent ailments.ailments.

Why Abstain from Alcohol?Why Abstain from Alcohol?

Drinking alcohol may cause others Drinking alcohol may cause others to stumble or sin, to stumble or sin, including our including our children! children!

We need to example for others to We need to example for others to follow (e.g., Titus 2:2-5): follow (e.g., Titus 2:2-5): Children are great imitators!Children are great imitators!

Matthew 18:5-6 (NASB)Matthew 18:5-6 (NASB)

5 "And whoever receives one such 5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, who believe in Me to stumble, it is it is better for him that a heavy millstone better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Why Abstain from Alcohol?Why Abstain from Alcohol?

The practice of getting drunk The practice of getting drunk (which (which

is rapidly achieved by the modern drink)is rapidly achieved by the modern drink) will cost us our eternal salvationwill cost us our eternal salvation!!

Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB)Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB)

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality… sensuality… drunkennessdrunkenness, carousing, and , carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you just as I have forewarned you that those that those who practice such things shall not inherit who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God. - cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 13:13-14- cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 13:13-14

Christian Christian Take Your Stand Take Your Stand for the Lord and for the Lord and

Abstain from Abstain from Alcohol!Alcohol!