No Safe Alcohol
An August 24 report concluded after extensive study “there’s no safe level of alcohol consumption.” Millions of cases from 200 countries indicated that 1 in 10 deaths are actually -alcohol related. “Any protective health effects of alcohol were offset by the drink’s risks:” including cancer, car wrecks and more. “The widely held view of the health benefits of alcohol needs revising.” The lead scientist said. Look up the Chris Carbone report carried by Fox News for more information.
This scientific report concluded something the Bible has already been telling us for thousands of years – avoid alcohol.
Some Christians, when misreading or not understanding the textual and historical context of various Bible passages will stretch the Word to allow (in their mind) for consuming alcohol.
For example: 1 Timothy 5:23 where Paul tells Timothy: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Paul would not suggest to Timothy to stop drinking poisonous and putrid water to go find some fermented and rotting juice that has become alcohol. That is like saying: “stop drinking that poison, try this poison instead.” This is stretching the passage to fit a permissive lifestyle.
- Fresh grape juice is what Timothy drank. The health benefits of grape juice is well documented.
- Fresh grape juice is what Jesus made out of water. The wedding celebrants in Cana commented on the fresh drink tasting better than the old or fermented drink.
- Fresh grape juice will not get a person drunk or cause them to violate all the prohibitions of the Bible against alcohol.
- Reading in context a person can discern if “wine” in the Bible is fresh or fermented.
The very first mention of wine is in Genesis 9 when Noah becomes drunk. Other sins stem from his drunkenness. Not a good first mention.
The word “Wine” is the Greek word “oinos” that has a Hebrew origin. It means wine that is either “literally or figuratively, wine.” I have always understood from Bible classes and training that “wine” means “fruit of the vine” or “juice of the vine.”
There is a big difference in the “New Wine” and the “Old Wine” in the Bible. The difference is Fresh verses Fermented.
Please prayerfully read and consider the following passages:
- Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
- Proverbs 23:31-33 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
- Proverbs 31:4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Be encouraged to “live like a king – don’t drink alcohol!”
For those hoping there is more about this in the Bible – there is. We are told the only 2 good uses of alcohol in Proverbs 31:6-7. And here you will note, it is not for pleasure, fun, celebrations, social events, or to have a “good time.”
Proverbs 31:6-7 teaches, Give strong drink (Alcoholic wine) unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
- Men on Death Row. These men were heavy of heart for their crimes and impending judgment. Right before public execution, many were given alcohol. Commentator Adam Clark noted: “Inebriating drinks were mercifully given to condemned criminals, to render them less sensible of the torture they endured in dying.” When Jesus was a dying on the cross, he refused the alcoholic drink offered Him. We would do well to follow His example. (Mark 15:23)
- Medicine for physical pain near death. Alcohol is a type of drug. That is why is considered a “controlled substance.” Alcohol can be used as medicine. Does Nyquil still have alcohol in it? We still anesthetize for pain before surgeries in similar ways today. Alcohol should only be available as a prescriptive drug to alleviate the pain of a dying person. Even if the wine Paul recommends to Timothy was alcoholic (I do not believe it was) it was consumed only as medicine.
WebMD.com writes in “The Buzz about Grape Juice” the following: “With grape juice, you can drink enough to get the benefit without worrying about becoming intoxicated.” What’s more, alcoholic drinks don’t seem to improve the function of cells in blood vessel linings the way grape juice does. And alcohol generates free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that can actually cause damage to blood vessel tissues — dampening any of the benefits that red wine’s antioxidants may offer.”
One final thought: Not only would I not drink alcohol I would not serve it or sell it to other people. I believe it is actually a sin to serve alcohol to another person. If my job at the department store, gas station, or restaurant required me to serve or sell alcohol, I would look for a different job. Here’s why: Habakkuk 2:15, where a warning is given: Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Alcohol has historically been used to take advantage of other people. Ask many of the women of the “me too movement” if drugs or alcohol was part of the equation. Even the first mention of wine with Noah included taking advantage and shameful nakedness. Drinking decreases mental ability, creates false narratives, encourages foolish and more sinful behavior, and clouds a person’s judgment. Don’t drink it! And don’t give it to others.
Be encouraged to live like a king – avoid alcohol. Understand there is “no safe amount” of alcohol. It is not good for you – for many Biblical reasons! Happiness is not found in a can or a bottle! Instead of being filled with alcohol – be filled with the Holy Spirit of Jesus (Ephesians 5:18). Let Him provide the peace, satisfaction, and fulfillment you are searching for.
EDC Christian 