Believers and Alcohol

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”

Believers often quote some bible verses to justify their alcohol consumption. The most popular ones are; Lord Jesus turning water to wine (John 2:1-11) Apostle Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for the good of his stomach (1^st Timothy 5:23) wine being good for a merry heart (Psalm 104:15) the end of such discussion is that the bible only condemns drunkenness (1^st Corinthians 6:10). Other bible verses that talk about the special people, Kings, Priests, being separated unto God for special purposes and commanded to abstain from alcohol are usually not mentioned.

If alcohol is so good why were certain people like Sampson, John the Baptist commanded by God to abstain from strong wine. Who are you before God? Are you special?

There is no justification for believers to indulge in alcohol consumption. When we talk about alcohol we mean strong fermented and undiluted wine. The right choice is to abstain. (In proverbs 20: 1)”wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise”

Wine in the real sense could suggest non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink. The context will show whether it is alcoholic wine or not. In Hebrew, “Yayin” is a general term for grape beverages and includes all classes of wine, non-alcoholic (unfermented) or alcoholic (Fermented)’’Yayin’’, when used properly was always diluted with water. So when the bible talks about wine it is not talking about only fermented intoxicating wine but when it talks about strong wine (Shekar), it is the undiluted/unmixed fermented wine that intoxicates. (Numbers 28:7). Yayin and Shekar are Old Testament Hebrew words for wine.

The New Testament Hebrew words for wine are Onios; when used properly is diluted with water (Luke 10-34: Ephesians 5:18) Sikera, the word for strong drink; unmixed wine (Luke 1:15) Gleukos “referring to fresh wine, a new wine or freshly squeezed grape juice”. (Dr. Paul Dixon)

The essence of these illustrations is to buttress the fact that when the bible is talking about wine it does not suggest only the fermented, undiluted, strong drink. Drinks from the grape fruits that are diluted and not fermented are referred to as wine as well.

The major issue in this blog is why believers, not just nominal Christians but those who have distinguished themselves from the world and have decided not to conform to the world should abstain from drinking alcoholic and strong drinks. (Romans 12:2, 2^nd Corinthians 7:1)

1. Drinking leads to drunkenness. ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
2. The bible condemns strong drink (Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 5:11, Proverbs 23: 29-31)
3. Strong drinks harm our bodies which are the Lords(1^st Cor. 6: 19-20,1 cor. 3:16-17)
4. Alcohol is addictive and as children of God we should only be addicted to the Holy Spirit.(5:18, Proverbs 23:35)
5. Most importantly, believers are kings and priests separated unto God. We are royal priesthood, peculiar people separated from darkness to Gods marvellous light. (1^st Peter 2:9, 1^st peter 2:5) Dr. Paul Dixon a religious writer says that “the prophets, the kings, the Nazarites, the leaders-those who were special in the plan of God were total abstainers” and he is right. (Proverbs 31:4-5, Leviticus 10:9

As believers, while we strive to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, walking before God to attain perfection in righteousness by obeying the word of God and his commandments, let abstinence from alcohol be included on our list of attainment.

God bless you.

By Nneadinlozo Johnson, Studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Co-pastor, Rccg Royal Eagles Assembly