I THINK I’LL RELAX & STUDY MY BIBLE WITH A GLASS OF WINE (from my archives)…

“I think I’ll relax and study my bible with a glass of wine”. Uh oh! I’m quite certain that statement made many of my fellow Christians cringe. I’m sure it may push limits of some people’s personal theology…many of my fellow Christians will quickly tell you that you shouldn’t defile the temple of God (and we shouldn’t).

Many of my fellow Christians will piously tell you, “Ohhh no! I don’t drink alcohol”, while at the same time many of the same people consume huge amounts of sugar, fat, sodium, artificial ingredients, smoke, over-the-counter and prescription drugs etc., etc., etc., that they know are harmful to their bodies, or temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Many Christians who’ve been diagnosed medical conditions knowingly eat foods and drink beverages that even though they aren’t wine, are harmful to their bodies and adversely affect their health…but, they would never be CAUGHT drinking a glass of wine.

Yes, the bible says that we are NOT to “get drunk with wine”…

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

…getting drunk is a sin and a work of the flesh…

Galatians 5:20-21 (ESV)

²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

HOWEVER, there is a huge difference in DRINKING a glass of wine and getting DRUNK with wine.

1 Timothy 5:23 admonishes us that there are health benefits to consuming a LITTLE wine in moderation.

1 Timothy 5:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

Drinking wine is not a sin, but drinking too much is…

Drinking cola isn’t a sin, but if it’s detrimental to your health, drinking too much is…

Eating candy isn’t a sin, but if it’s detrimental to your health, eating too much is…

Eating is not a sin, but eating too much is…

Philippians 3:19 English Standard Version (ESV)

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

 Being at a gathering where there’s wine is not a sin. There was wine at the wedding Jesus attended in Cana recorded in John Chapter 2. It was real wine…not unfermented wine as some try to claim to justify their over zealousness. Wine was a staple in the bible. Jesus was observed consuming wine because they accused Him of being a ‘winebibber’, drunkard and a glutton. (However He did not get drunk)

Matthew 11:19 (ESV)

 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Wine was consumed during the Passover Feast…the fact is that when the wine ran out during the wedding, Jesus ‘bought’ the drinks. Jesus didn’t say, they have wine at that wedding party, so I won’t attend, but that’s exactly what many Christians today would say.

Again, I’m not advocating getting drunk. Getting drunk IS a sin. But I am saying that wine, just like many other food and drinks is okay in moderation, and many Christians who ‘trip’ over drinking a glass of wine consume non-alcoholic foods and beverages into their bodies that are harmful or in quantities that are SINFUL.

Remember what the Apostle Paul said…

1 Corinthians 6:12

 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

 1 Corinthians 10:23

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

I must be responsible and tell you that if you have a drinking problem, that it’s BEST THAT YOU CONSUME NO WINE, just as if you have an allergy to peanuts it’s best you CONSUME NO PEANUTS. Also, if your drinking wine makes someone in the faith weaker, it’s best that you don’t drink it in their presence. Read Romans 14:13-23 as Paul explains how we must consider those who are weaker in the faith in things that are permissible for us.

The most important thing for us to remember as Christians is MODERATION – ALL THINGS IN MODERATION.

BE BLESSTIFIED!