The Christian And Alcohol – My Take

The subject of alcohol within the Christian community seems to be a dicey one. Different denominations seem to have divergent views on what the Christian’s approach should be when it comes to alcohol.

Some argue that, though the Bible warns us to not be drunk with wine, it doesn’t absolutely forbid the drinking of alcohol. Some advocate for drinking in moderate measures. Yes, going through the Old Testament, there are a number of instances where the intake of alcohol seems permitted, however not in excess. One of such is in reference to Deuteronomy 14:22-27.

Interesting to also note in the Old Testament is the fact that despite the seeming permissions for alcohol intake, there were exceptions. This is where my interest is hinged on.

Aaron and his sons, the priests, were strictly forbidden to drink either wine or strong drink when they had to go into the tabernacle to minister before the Lord (Leviticus 10:9). Nazirites were likewise forbidden to use wine while under their vow (Numbers 6:1-3, 20; Judges 13:4-7). In Ezra. 44:21 the Lord emphatically instructed that no priest was to drink when he was to go into the temple.

So yes, even though strong wine seems to have been permitted among the Jews, there were exceptions, and this largely had to do with the priests. Now note this, in 1 Peter 2:9, we are told that the New Testament believer is a priest; and not just a priest but a royal priest. Again, for the New Testament believer, the body is the temple of God (1Corinthians 3:16); out of which we offer daily worship to God in spirit and in truth. This is to say that the New Testament believer whom Bible describes as a priest is perpetually ministering to the Lord in the temple, which is his or her body (John 4:23-24). In the Old Testament, the dwelling of God was the temple which was outside the body, but in the New Testament, the dwelling of God (temple) is the believer’s body.

So then if the Old Testament priest was not to take strong wine or alcohol whenever he had to enter the temple, then the New Testament believer is also not permitted to take strong wine, whose temple is the very self – the body.

Remember what the bible says in Proverbs 31:4, “it is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink”. And such is the New Testament believer. For Revelations 1:5-6 describes us as such:

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

From the above discourse I conclude with Paul’s admonishment in 1 Corinthians 10:23 from the Amplified Bible:

All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].