The majority of those claiming to be religious will agree that it is sinful for a Christian to consume alcohol to the point of drunkenness (after all, this is what the negative examples considered from the Old Testament reveal as we considered a couple of weeks ago). Even in the New Testament, we find very clear condemnation concerning the sin of drunkenness (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:18, NKJV). So does this mean that it is okay for us to drink just a little? As we begin to consider this thought, let’s keep 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in mind. Our bodies are not our own, but they are God’s, therefore, we are to “glorify God” in our bodies and our spirits. We must be wise stewards of our bodies and take care of them to the best of our abilities to bring glory to God (a lesson that applies to more than just the consumption of alcohol). As it relates to alcohol, we must consider whether it is safe for our bodies in any amount. Researchers from the University of Oxford have determined that there is “no safe dose of alcohol for the brain.”[1] As soon as the consumption of alcohol starts, the brain is affected. One such danger is the way that alcohol grips and holds many of those who consume it. The National Institute of Health recognizes the danger of alcohol because of its addictive nature.[2] Those who struggle with alcohol addiction do not begin drinking with the intent to …

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been considering the Bible’s teachings on alcohol and whether or not Christians should drink it. As mentioned at the end of last week’s article, many will turn to John 2 and use Jesus’s miracle as their justification for the ability to drink alcoholic wine. When we honestly consider the context, however, I believe it is clear that the wine made by Jesus could not have been alcoholic – meaning that John 2 is no justification for drinking alcoholic drink. When considering Jesus’s miracle, it is important to remember the purpose of turning the water to wine – to manifest “His glory” and to cause “His disciples” to believe “in Him” (Jn. 2:11, NKJV). With this in mind, we know that turning water into wine would produce these results. In turning the water to wine, Jesus miraculously turns roughly 120 to 180 gallons of water into wine (Jn. 2:6-10). We learn as well from John 2:10 that the guests at the wedding feast were already “well drunk.” Therefore, if Jesus created 120-180 gallons of alcohol and we assume what was already provided at the feast was alcoholic, Jesus just provided more alcohol to an already drunk crowd. If this were so, Jesus would have been violating the teachings of the Old Testament (Hab. 2:15), but He also would be violating what the Spirit would go on to teach under the New Testament (Eph. 5:18). How could this possibly bring about His “glory” and …

As we noted in last week’s article, when the Bible speaks of wine, we must consider the context to determine whether the wine being spoken of is alcoholic or not. This being the case, it requires us to reason through the Scriptures and determine whether or not what is being suggested is positive or negative so that we can determine whether we as Christians should or should not drink alcohol. The first context we must consider is the first mention of “wine” in our Bibles. In Genesis 9:20 (NKJV), we learn that Noah plants a vineyard. Genesis 9:21 tells us that Noah “drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.” The text goes on to reveal that Noah was in such a state that one of his sons reveled in his “nakedness” while the other two sons thoughtfully covered their father’s nakedness (Gen. 9:22-23). Based on the context, Noah was acting in a way that was out of the norm. In fact, it was not until he “awoke from his wine” that there was any recognition of what had taken place (Gen. 9:24). What we see in Genesis 9 is a negative example of alcoholic wine. The next context we might consider is Genesis 19:30-38. In this context, Lot and his daughters have fled from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and have arrived to the mountains outside of Zoar. While staying in this cave, Lot’s daughters scheme together to “make [their] father drink wine” …

As God created the heavens, the earth, and all therein, He continually recognizes that His creation is “good” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, NKJV). After the sixth day, when God’s creation was complete, God says that His creation is, “very good” (Gen. 1:31). This being the case, God’s creation in its purest form is good – but man does not waste much time before corrupting what God has made good. In Genesis 3, man makes his choice to sin. By Genesis 9:20ff, we find that man has learned about vineyards and wine. With God’s good creation in mind, we might wonder, is alcohol good? Over the next several weeks, we will examine the subject of alcohol in light of God’s word to consider whether or not we as Christians have the right to drink. Searching for the term “alcohol” in our Bibles is not going to yield any results. Based on context, we understand that certain terms refer to alcohol – such as “strong drink” (Prov. 20:1; 31:6; Isa. 24:9) and “wine” (Gen. 9:21; Prov. 20:1). Even in these terms, we must be careful to always consider the context and not always assume it is in reference to alcohol. For example, “wine” can refer to alcohol, but it can also speak of grape juice. Based on context, the “wine” mentioned in Genesis 19:34 is alcoholic, but in Isaiah 16:10 or Isaiah 65:8 the reference to “wine” must be speaking of that which is fresh grape juice not having …

Over the past four weeks, we’ve examined numerous reasons why gambling is sinful. Now that we’ve established this fact, questions naturally arise about what precisely qualifies as gambling. While casinos and betting establishments are clearly included, there are other activities that some may wonder about. In the first article of this series, I raised several questions, and in this concluding piece, I will provide answers to them. It’s important to note that the answers will be based on the principles established in the earlier articles. A key question that often arises is whether investing in stocks qualifies as gambling. One principle discussed earlier was how gambling often preys on the less fortunate. When someone hits it big at a casino, their winnings come at the expense of someone else’s loss, which contradicts the biblical principle found in Galatians 6:10, and Matthew 22:39. In contrast, investing in the stock market involves putting money into a company that you believe will continue to prosper. In this case, all investors as well as the company invested in share in the potential gains and losses. If my investment grows significantly, it’s important to reflect on stewardship principles (Matt. 25:14-30 NKJV). Am I risking large amounts of money that could be better used elsewhere? Additionally, if my focus shifts to constantly strategizing and moving money, it may be crossing into the realm of addiction, where I’m playing the odds rather than making sound decisions. Seeking advice from a financial advisor can help distinguish wise investments …