Wisdom and Drink - What Does The Bible Say?

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

There has been plenty of discussion about the Bible’s position on the drinking of alcohol. Some denominations use real wine for communion while others condemn the use of alcohol in any form. Some people say that while Scripture condemns drunkenness, it nowhere prohibits drinking in moderation—say, a glass of wine with dinner—and even recommends it for health, as in Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “take a little wine for the stomach’s sake…” What is the wise position?

I’ll give you my take on it. Booze is not good for me. Apparently a little wine was just what the doctor ordered for Timothy, but today we have many medicines for the stomach that don’t include alcohol. So if it’s not necessary for medicinal purposes, I’m left with a simple proposition: alcohol can’t help me and it can hurt me. No brainer.

All through high school, I resisted the peer pressure to drink. When I went to college, there was even more drinking going on. One night I attended a cast party after the school play, in which I had played a part. The party was out in somebody’s field and consisted mainly of sitting around a bonfire, listening to music, talking and drinking. Everybody seemed to be having a good time relaxing, sipping beer and chatting. I began to wonder if I’d been too strict on the idea of drinking. Maybe my father’s drinking problem, which had caused so much hardship in my family, had prejudiced me against it to an extreme.

But wouldn’t you know it, before the party even started to wind down the alcohol had stolen the judgment of a couple of the fellows and they were soon arguing and finally slugging it out. I drove away from the party with a great illustration fresh in my mind of the dangers of alcohol.

I’ve never found a reason to change my mind.

It can’t help me. It can hurt me.

This is complicated?

Author
Recent Posts

Marilyn

Marilyn is wife to Rick, Mom to 14 children, Nana to 22 grandchildren (and counting!) and homeschooler for 37 years. She and her husband own Character Concepts which they started for the purpose of helping others raise children with a strong, godly character and Biblical worldview.They have developed character curriculumfrom preschool through high school, based on what they found worked whenteaching their own 14 children over the years. Her passion is to help young moms raise kids of character and enjoy the journey!