For PDF of the lesson PowerPoint, click here: Drinking The Spiritual Response To A Carnal World

The Spiritual Response to a Carnal World:

10 Facts Regarding Alcoholic Beverages in the Bible:

1. All “alcohol” is NOT condemned in the Bible.
2. Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible.
   1. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
   2. Galatians 5:19-20
3. “Wine” in the Bible refers to both fermented and unfermented beverages.
   1. Isaiah 65:8
   2. Isaiah 16:10
   3. Proverbs 23:31
4. The maximum alcoholic content was 10-12%.
   1. Without distillation, the highest alcohol content is about 5% for beer and about 10 to 12% for wine.
   2. Above these levels the yeasts no longer produce fermentation.
5. “Strong drink” is condemned in the Bible.
   1. Proverbs 20:1; 31:4-7
   2. Proverbs 23:29-35
6. “Wine” was (generally) mixed with water at a 2:1-4:1 ratio.
7. “Sobriety” is commanded in the Bible.
   1. 1 Peter 5:8
   2. Ephesians 5:15-16
   3. “Am I Drunk?” or “Have I sacrificed sobriety?”
8. The first “impairment” is on judgment/inhibitions.
   1. Alcohol impairs your ability to choose right over wrong before it affects anything else.
9. “Revelries” and “drinking parties” are also condemned.
   1. 1 Peter 4:1-5 (Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13)
10. “A little wine” for medicinal use is explicitly permitted.
    1. 1 Timothy 5:23

7 Questions to Determine "Carnality":

1. Does this appeal to my spirituality or carnality?

2. Is this an unfruitful work of darkness (what good and/or bad fruit could come from it)?

3. How could I glorify God while doing this?

4. How would this affect my influence in a positive or negative way?

5. Could this harm another in some way (brother/sister in Christ/family/non-Christian)?

6. Where do I find authority in the scriptures to participate in this activity?

7. Would Christ involve Himself in this activity?