Wine and its Folly

Wine is mentioned quite a lot in the Bible, generally to reference the cause of the loss of one’s faculties. There are some Christians who consume a glass an evening, others still who extrapolate the Biblical text to create parameters around heavier spirits, and marijuana; others still never to permit the smooth liquid to slide past their teeth and down their throat, to paraphrase Song of Songs. Some even abuse the gift of wine, to their detriment.

Wine can be a tough topic to tackle Biblically. There are a lot of passages excoriating its patrons, and warning of its dangers, but we see godly ecclesiastical figures making reference to its sparkling majesty, Solomon even calling it a pleasure to both god, and man.

I think in order to clarify a biblical outlook on wine, we must first look at a few key texts from the apostle Paul, and then we will visit some old testament wisdom, and further examples, to rightly divide this topic in a faithful way.

The text I would like to start with is Romans 14:21 (ESV), wherein Paul is preaching to the church in Rome, about faithful interactions between Christians, and how to respect the consciences of our brethren. In verse thirteen, Paul states,

“Therefore, let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

He goes on to discuss wine in more depth at verse twenty-one.

“It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgement on himself for what he approves. But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith.”

This is one of the clearest instructions from scripture on wine, though it deals with food as well. We can compare this text to 1 Corinthians 8:7, where Paul discusses the food sacrificed to idols, and whether a Christian should partake in pagan rituals. To paraphrase, Paul sheds light on the fact that some Christians may be accustomed to thinking of idols as gods, due to their cultural upbringing or various fleshly desires from their prior lives; after all, this letter is written to Corinth, the Las Vegas of the time.

Thus, if one in the Church that had grown up without thinking of idols as gods, or rather his conscience was unaffected by eating meat prepared for idols, that persons influence may tempt another believer who's conscience is affected, into violating their conscience.

Let’s break this down in regards to the issue at hand. Say you’re fellowshipping with a fellow believer who in their past life, struggled as a drunkard, and you go out to dinner with this person. It would be well, and good to stick with tea for that evening, if you are privy to this information. If not, it is also loving of your brother to verify that it is okay to consume alcohol with them by simply asking,

“Shall we order wine?”

If the answer is anything besides, “Yes,” or “Certainly,” you ought to refrain, even if there is no clear reason why. For some, the reason that they don’t drink may bring about very coarse emotions, and they may not want to discuss that with you, and that is perfectly OKAY. Do not try and convince anyone to share a bottle with you just to save a dime.

With this text in mind, I would ask that you consider not ordering wine, even if the person says that it’s okay if you drink alone. As believers, we must die to our desires, and seek to love our brother as Jesus would have. They may not have been drunkards themselves, but have a family history, or some health concerns, and we do not want to make a brother or sister feel left out. Besides, what fun is wine alone?

The other side to the coin, are those people who try to impress their teetotalerism onto others. Throughout the bible we see examples of loving, godly, and righteous saints consuming wine, heck, it’s used as a figurative symbol of the savior’s blood when we take communion together, though the plastic cups aren't typically brimming with Ch. Margaux. Pity. Though if you are receiving Ch. Margaux with communion, it may be time for a pastoral intervention.

Let's look at some texts that explain the proper use for God’s gift to man. Psalm 104:15 states,

“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock, and the plants for meant to cultivate, that he may bring forth food, from the Earth, and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen a man’s heart.”

There are many who state that biblically we should consume alcohol, but only one glass and never to pursue drunkenness. But according to this text, wine is looked at as a device to,

“…gladden the heart of man…,” and while I agree we should never pursue drunkenness, there are other texts that incite a gladness brought on by wine, such as Ecclesiastes 10:19.

“Bread is made for laughter,

and wine gladdens life,

and money answers everything.”

How can we gladden our hearts only by drinking for taste? Couldn’t we enjoy the array of other non-alcoholic beverages afforded to us? The prophet Isaiah proclaims a curse from the lord on the whore of Jerusalem, in Isaiah 1:22, that affirms her,

“…silver has become dross, and your wine mixed with water.”

Watering down wine to the Israelites of the abrahamic covenant was as gauche then as it is now. It wasn’t meant to be watered down, it was meant to be enjoyed with some level of strength, so that its cheerful properties (Judges 9:13) of gladness could be enjoyed so.

Then we come back to Ecclesiastes, which begins by stressing the futility of life, and then goes on to praise our creator for designing such wonders for us, and insists that we bless the one who has blessed us with such gifts such as wine. This verse is one of many including Ecclesiastes 9:7, that hammer this point home.

“Go eat your bread with joy, drink your wine with a merry heart, for god has already approved what you do.”

Now, this verse is about enjoying a life with your spouse, but in a godly context, and that is what is very important. Just as we are to enjoy god’s creation of human love for our spouse in certain confines, we are to enjoy wine in a certain context as well. Wine is very contextual, and there is yet one more side to it that we must explore.

The most consequential text in this regard has go to be Proverbs 23:29-35. This is a scathing lament, railing against abusers of the sparkling substance. Unfortunately the cheeriness of heart is an easy thing to abuse.

Specifically, the text states,

“Who has woe, who has sorrow,… Those who tarry over much wine… it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder…”

Solomon deals here with the remorse the day after, and the aftermath that wine can leave behind when abused.

“Your eyes will see strange things, your heart will utter perverse things,”

The text continues.

It is worth doing an in-depth read of this particular text and searching your heart so to find in you temptations you may not have considered. Are you waking up with remorse after drinking? Does your body ache, or sting? Do you find wine remarkably easy to finish? These are all relevant and very broad questions to ponder, especially if others have remarked on your incontinence.

Further texts indicate shameful, embarrassing issues with alcohol, including Noah’s nakedness in Genesis 9:21.

“Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine, and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.”

Proverbs 20:1 calls wine a, “brawler,” and says those who are led astray by it are unwise. The scriptures contain a lot of wisdom about this substance because it is detrimental to our salvation. It is important to self-reflect, hear other Christian’s concerns, and pray for wisdom that you may see your own sins for what they are as you consider what these texts have to say.

Wine is a gift from God that was specially designed to lighten man’s burden and gladden his heart. As with all gifts; money, sex, families, and bread, it is extremely important prayerfully consult the scriptures everyday, remaining steadfast in the word, as there are very easy sinful pitfalls lurking all around. God may even be calling you to take break from wine for a time, to draw yourself closer to him, or to protect those around you as he did with Daniel, and Hannah.

Mike Winger, a YouTube pastor, did a video series on this that is easy to find with a quick Google search and is very faithful to the message of scripture. Give his channel watch for insights from someone who does not drink, though does not dismiss those who choose to.

That’s all for now, God bless,

~K