The 75 Most Important Scriptures on Alcohol

[Nazaroo]

1. Gen 9:20f: Noah became drunk and the result was immorality and family trouble.

2. Gen 19:30f: Lot was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing, and his leadership failed, leading to sexual immorality.

3. Lev 10:9f: God commanded the priests not to drink at all, so that they could tell the difference between HOLY and UNHOLY.

4. Num 6:1f The Nazarites are told not even to touch so much as a grape seed.

5. Deut. 21:20 A drunken son was stubborn and rebellious.

6. Deut. 29:5f God gave no grape juice to Israel, nor did they have intoxicating drink throughout their journey in the wilderness to prepare them for the Holy Land. (40 years).

7. Deut. 32:33f Intoxicating 'wine' is like the poison of serpents, the cruel and deadly venom of asps.

8. Judg 13:4f Samson was to be a Nazarite for Life, separated to the Lord. His mother too was told never to drink wine or any drug.

9. 1 Sam. 1:14f Accused, Hannah said she drank NO wine, when praying to the Lord for her heart's desire.

10. 1 Sam 25:32f Nabal died after drinking with a darkened heart.

11. 2 Sam 11:13f David tried to cover his own sin by enticing Uriah to drink, then murdered him.

12. 2 Sam 13:28f Amnon was drunk and was killed.

13. 1 Kings 16:8f The king was drinking himself into a stupor and was assassinated.

14. 1 Kings 20:12f Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by the Israelites.

15. Esther 1:5f The king gave everyone all the drink they wanted. The king was intoxicated when he commanded the queen to come. The result was a divorce.

16. Psalm 75:8f The Lord's anger is pictured as wine that is drunk by the wicked.

17. Prov. 4:17f Alcoholic wine is called the 'wine of violence'. How apt a description.

18. Prov. 20:1f Wine is a mocker, strong drink rages.

19. Prov. 23:19f A wise person will not be among the drinkers of alcoholic beverages.

20. Prov. 23:21 Drunkenness causes poverty.

21. Prov. 23:29f Drinking causes woe, sorrow, fighting, babbling, wounds without cause and sore eyes.

22. Prov 23:31 God pleads with the reader not to even look at alcoholic drinks with desire.

23. Prov. 23:32 Alcoholic drinks bite like a serpent, wound like an adder.

24. Prov. 23:34 Alcohol causes perverse and adulterous thoughts, produces strife, and PREVENTS REPENTANCE.

25. Prov. 23:34 Alcohol makes the user unstable.

I'd say that was a pretty wide and strong foundation to build upon!



26. Prov. 23:35 Alcohol makes a drinker insensitive to pain so he does not perceive warnings. Alcohol is habit forming and addictive.

27. Prov. 31:4f Kings, princes, and rulers and judges MUST NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. Alcohol perverts good judgement.

28. Prov. 31:6f Stong drink could be given to the dying or in horrible pain. A legitimate use but: (Better anesthetics are available today...)

29. Eccl. 2:3 The king tried intoxicating drink, but it did not satisfy.

30. Eccl. 10:17 A land is BLESSED when it leaders DON'T drink.

31. Isaiah 5:11f Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late to get drunk.

32. Isa. 5:22f Woe to 'champion' drinkers and 'experts' at preparing drinks and drugs.

33. Isa. 19:14f Drunks stagger in their vomit.

34. Isa. 22:12f The Israelites chose to drink; and their future appears hopeless.

35. Isa. 24:9f Drinkers can't escape the consequences when God judges them.

36. Isa. 28:1f God pronounces woe upon the drinkers of Ephraim.

37. Isa 28:3 Proud drinkers will be trodden down.

38. Isa 28:7 Priests and prophets stagger and reel from beer and wine, err in vision, and stumble in judgement.

39. Isa 28:8 Drinker's tables are covered with vomit and filth.

40. Isa 56: 9f Drinkers seek their own gain and expect tomorrow to be just like today.

41. Jer 35:2f The Rechabites drank no grape juice or intoxicating wine and were blessed.

42. Ezek 44:21 Again God instructs the priests NOT TO DRINK WINE.

43. Dan. 1:5f Danial refused the intoxicating wine and was blessed for it along with his abstaining friends.

44. Dan. 5:1f Belshazzar, ruler of BABYLON led his people to drink.

45. Dan 5:2f The king and his court, wives and slave girls drank from the goblets stolen from the temple, and defiled them in an orgy.

46. Dan 5:4f Drinking wine was traditionally combined with praising false gods, like 'chance', and 'destiny' and 'fate'. (Idolatry, also forbidden in the NT)

47. Dan 5:23f God sent word that punishment would be swift for Belshazzar for the evil he had committed.

48. Hosea 4:11f Intoxicating wine takes away intelligence.

49. Hos. 7:5f God condemns princes for drinking!

50. Joel 1:5 Drunkards awake to see God's punishment.

The foundation is wide and strong against alcohol.

51. Joel 3:3 Addiction breaks down morality and ethics to such an extent, that drug lovers actually sell little girls in exchange for wine, and are utterly condemned.

52. Amos 2:8 Unrighteous acts by Israelites included accepting alcohol as 'payment' (a bribe) for fines and fees.

53. Amos 2:12 Israel is condemned for finally actually forcing Nazarites to drink wine! (cf. Luke 22:18 / John 19:29)

54. Micah 2:11 Israelites are eager to follow FALSE TEACHERS who prophesy alcoholic wine aplenty for all.

55. Nahum 1:10 The drunks of Ninevah will be destroyed by God.

56. Hab.2:5 A man is betrayed by wine.

57. Hab 1:15 WOE TO HIM THAT GIVES HIS NEIGHBOUR DRINK.

58. Hab. 2:16 Drinking leads to shame.

59. Matt. 24:48f A drinking servant is unprepared for the Lord's return.

60. Luke 1: 15 John the Baptist drank neither grape juice nor wine.

61. Luke 12:45 Christ Himself warns against drunkeness.

62. Luke 21:34 Drunkeness makes a person unready for the Lord's return.

63. Rom. 13:13 Do not walk in drunkenness.

64. Rom 14:21 Do not do ANYTHING that will hurt your testimony as a believer.

65. 1Cor 5:11 Do not associate with a Christian brother who is a drinker.

66. 1Cor 6:10 Drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

67. Gal 5:21 Drunkeness will prohibit a person from inheriting the Kingdom of God.

68. Eph 5:18 The believer is to be filled with the Spirit IN CONTRAST to being drunk with wine.

69. 1Thess. Christians are to be alert and self-controlled, belonging to the day. Drinkers belong to the night and darkness.

70. 1Tim 3:2f Bishops (elders) must be temperate and SOBER, and not at or near wine.

71. 1Tim 3:8 Deacons to be worthy of respect NOT drinkers.

72. 1Tim 3:11 Deacon's wives to be temperate and SOBER.

73. Titus 1:7f An Overseer (bishop?) is to be disciplined and NOT a drinker.

74. Titus 2:2f Elders are to be temperate and NOT servants of wine.

75. 1 Peter 4:3f The PAST life of drinking and carousing has NO PLACE in a Christian's life.

Recreational Drug use is utterly condemned in the bible.

There are more scriptures condemning the use of alcoholic beverages than can be found against LYING, ADULTERY, SWEARING, FRAUD, HYPOCRISY, PRIDE, or even BLASPHEMY.

When the other passages in scripture are properly interpreted in harmony with God's attitude toward drug use, and understood properly to refer to non-alcoholic grape -juice, and when other key passages referring to DRUG DEALING of other kinds are cleared of their obscurity, the number of passages in the scriptures against alcohol and drugs swells to a whopping 200 verses.

 

[BigNorsk]

76. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NET
(12) I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,
(13) and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for it is a gift from God.

 

[cathromang]

ah legalism - are we to be judged by another man's conscience?

Let's see - and no jewelry either right?
and a woman should wear her hair straight and long with no makeup...
TV promotes promiscuity - so throw those out.
Rock and roll music is from the devil - burn all that satanic stuff.

Most important of all -
Married couples should never make love standing up - someone could see them and think they are dancing!

 

[JimfromOhio]

I posted this before and this "Alcohol" topic is just as bad as WoF (Health/Wealth) topic.

People and some denominations are getting personal about various "habits" or their own definition of "sins" that should be forbidden. In 1 Corinthians 10:23 that even though something may be lawful (like drinking). There are two general principles which help Christians decide whether they should use or agree regarding drinking: Caring for ourselves and caring for others. Christians should ask two questions:How would drinking affect our bodies? Will it affect our relationship with God?

Arguing about drinking alcohol:
Much of the confusion as to whether wine was fermented or unfermented stems from the word "wine" being used in translation of the Greek word "oinos", which can denote either grape juice or intoxicating wine.

Bible translators of the Bible knew that the word "oinos" could refer to either fermented or unfermented wine. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands us to "be not drunk with wine (oinos)."

In the Bible, there are 247 references to wine and strong drink. Of 247 references, 36 are negative references. There are 17 warnings against abusing alcohol, 19 examples of people abusing alcohol.

The 3 references to selecting leaders caution that those who abuse alcohol should not be selected as leaders. They use the phrases "not given to much wine," "not given to drunkenness," and "not given to wine."

On the positive side, there are 59 references to the commonly accepted practice of drinking wine (and strong drink) with meals, 27 references to the abundance of wine as an example of God's blessing, 20 references to the loss of wine and strong drink as an example of God's curse, 25 references to the use of wine in offerings and sacrifices, 9 references to wine being used as a gift, and 5 metaphorical references to wine as a basis for a favorable comparison.

The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but only one caution against the responsible use of alcohol in celebration and with meals.

I should add that Christians should not "lose any sleep" over disagreements in drinking. This is an area what theologists called "Peripheral Beliefs". It means its not worth fighting or lose any sleep because of these beliefs and practices that are not really that important. These might include debates over modes of baptism, appropriate dress, ecclesiastical organization, the appropriateness of smoking and drinking, being a Democrat, Republican, or a Socialist, etc.

I should add another point.. that most Christians usually follow a reason rather a rule against drinking, smoking or any other unhealthy lifestyle: The most important Scripture in this regard is 1Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" Your body is a "good" and wonderful gift from God. Christians know that God is with them, they sometimes feel it is unnecessary to make needed lifestyle changes to stay healthy.

Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Starting and maintaining a proper diet and exercise program involves more than anything else, discipline and caring enough for yourself (again, "...as you love yourself") to take care of yourself. You have to remember that exercise should not become an obsession. Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1Tim 4:8). So Paul recognizes that physical exercise has some profit, it is important. But there are also more important things in life; namely our relationship to God.

 

[Jipsah]

Hey, Naz. If the Bible isn't reliable when it says that our Lord made and drank wine, howcome it's reliable when it says bad stuff about drinking? Is it right about some things and not about others? How do we tell which is which?

 

[Nazaroo]

ah legalism - are we to be judged by another man's conscience?

Its not legalism to actually look and see what God in the scriptures says about drinking. Its called a bible study.

Let's see - and no jewelry either right?
and a woman should wear her hair straight and long with no makeup...

Personally I don't know. I haven't done a bible study on that.
But if I did, it would be in a different thread.

TV promotes promiscuity - so throw those out.

...or leave the TV hooked up and turned on, and waste hours of your life everyday.
Do whatever seems good to you.

Rock and roll music is from the devil - burn all that satanic stuff.

The most interesting quote of all:
I suppose it would be ignorant to take all our books on magic and porn and other nonsense and burn them.
That would suggest we were ignorant hillbillies afraid of learning or something, right?

And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.
Many of them also which used occult arts brought their books together, and burned them before all the people.
And they counted the price of them, and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver. (Acts 19:18-19)

Yet these people were saved, and acted under the Holy Spirit.

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

 

[Leah]

This is why I don't really listen to other people anymore. Too many find their own interpretations of what sin is and not even give it a second thought as to what God thinks of it. Ah but yes, there's that ol 'free will' thing so I guess that's everyone's excuse nowandays.

 

[DaveS]

I think I only need to say the words, 'water into wine'.

 

[Nazaroo]

Hey, Naz. If the Bible isn't reliable when it says that our Lord made and drank wine, howcome it's reliable when it says bad stuff about drinking? Is it right about some things and not about others? How do we tell which is which?

The bible is perfectly reliable, as I said in another thread, when you know the blind spots and bias of the translators.

In this case, it is up to us to know the full range of the meanings of the word 'wine', and the many Hebrew and Greek words underneath the translations.

It is not a deep hardship to acknowledge that the bible constantly needs to be updated and clarified because of the changes in language and culture over the centuries. If you think there is no work involved in studying the Word of God, you will be disappointed.

Its called housekeeping. God assigned the entire tribe of Levi to do the housekeeping for the temple and services.

We should take the same loving care and thoroughness in studying the word 'wine' as we would studying the word 'faith' or 'salvation' or any other word in the bible. There is no shame in thoroughness.

 

[Oblio]

I'll take Biblical fallacies for 1200 Alexios ...

Answer: [Insert OP]

Question: What is eisegesis ?





Funny how Ps 103(4) was ommitted

 

[Nazaroo]

I'll take Biblical fallacies for 1200 Alexios ...

Answer: [Insert OP]

Question: What is eisegesis ?





Funny how Ps 103(4) was ommitted

If it was omitted, why didn't you simply contribute positively by posting it?

 

[Leah]

I'll take Biblical fallacies for 1200 Alexios ...

Answer: [Insert OP]

Question: What is eisegesis ?





Funny how Ps 103(4) was ommitted

Hahahahahaha.

 

[Quijote]

Were it not 10:40Am here it would be "Miller Time"!

 

[JimfromOhio]

The bible is perfectly reliable, as I said in another thread, when you know the blind spots and bias of the translators.

In this case, it is up to us to know the full range of the meanings of the word 'wine', and the many Hebrew and Greek words underneath the translations.

It is not a deep hardship to acknowledge that the bible constantly needs to be updated and clarified because of the changes in language and culture over the centuries. If you think there is no work involved in studying the Word of God, you will be disappointed.

Its called housekeeping. God assigned the entire tribe of Levi to do the housekeeping for the temple and services.

We should take the same loving care and thoroughness in studying the word 'wine' as we would studying the word 'faith' or 'salvation' or any other word in the bible. There is no shame in thoroughness.

Man.. people pick on me for being too thorough !!!

 

[Oblio]

If it was omitted, why didn't you simply contribute positively by posting it?

Sorry, I thought everyone heard it during the opening of Vespers

And wine to make glad the heart of man...

 

[Nazaroo]

One might think that 'fasting' and not drinking was part of the 'Old Covenant', or simply a 'hangover' of legalism from Judaism. What does the New Testament tell us?

Jesus said, "This kind of demon does NOT come out,
except by fasting and prayer!" (Matt.17:21, Mark 9:29)

"And Paul remained three days without sight, and he neither ate nor drank.
...and he received his sight again, and was baptized." (Acts 9:9-18)

"And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is answered, and you have been remembered before the Lord'" (Acts 10:30f)

 

[FreezBee]

1. Gen 9:20f: Noah became drunk and the result was immorality and family trouble.

Give the man a break, will you Noah was the first human to ever try to drink wine, so how was he to know? He didn't have a Bible around to look up, what would happen.

2. Gen 19:30f: Lot was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing, and his leadership failed, leading to sexual immorality.

Overruled - defendant pleading "force majeure". Lot's two daughters got him drunk, so he didn't jnow what was happening, and the daughters themselves only did it in order to preserve their people - everybody else were dead, you know!

3. Lev 10:9f: God commanded the priests not to drink at all, so that they could tell the difference between HOLY and UNHOLY.

How many Judaist priests are around these days - ok, the family name "Cohen" is still with us, but I doubt many of the carriers of that name have done nuch service in the non-existant temple in Jerusalem.

Anyway, let's look a bit closer at this:

Leviticus 10
9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses."

So, it only applies to, when the priests enter the Tent of Meeting, and at no other time Please also notice that is says "wine or other fermented drink", not "unfermented grape-juice or other fermented drink".


- FreezBee

 

[FreezBee]

Jesus said, "This kind of demon does NOT come out,
except by fasting and prayer!" (Matt.17:21, Mark 9:29)

"And Paul remained three days without sight, and he neither ate nor drank.
...and he received his sight again, and was baptized." (Acts 9:9-18)

"And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is answered, and you have been remembered before the Lord'" (Acts 10:30f)

Fasting implies, to the best of my knowledge, abstinence from all food and drink, not only from fermented grape-juice

- FreezBee

 

[Oblio]

Fasting implies, to the best of my knowledge, abstinence from all food and drink, not only from fermented grape-juice

- FreezBee

That is a STRICT fast. Most Christian fasting is from certain foods.

 

[FreezBee]

That is a STRICT fast. Most Christian fasting is from certain foods.

Ok, thanks for the info - as you know, I haven't read all those early Christian writings
- FreezBee