Sad to say many/most who hold and verbalise a strong opinion about "wine" in the Bible know little or nothing about what they are saying. Those who are pro social-drinking usually pass on several popular mantras which they have learnt from popular and regular repetition but not through diligent study of the Word of God and fervent heart searching prayer.
These several popular mantras are repeated in every language and culture by people who do not even know where to find the comments in their own Bible. They are simply repeating what they have frequently been told.
Sad to say many who believe in abstinence (to abstain from alcohol; to not drink alcohol) have in recent times begun to doubt their former stance or have lost the ability to defend their stance in a biblical fashion. There are also those who have held holy convictions for years concerning abstinence but who now have doubts in their minds because of the barrage of half truths, half quotes and a continual barrage of mockery, scorn and scepticism from within the church. Such believers must come back to the Scriptures and settle this issue one way or the other.
"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (Jm.1:8). And he is "like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" (v6). It is not the will of God to have a mind filled with doubts and unanswered questions. Such a man is unsure of what he believes or why he believes a certain thing. The Word of God is given to clarify and answer such doubts as well as to establish the mind and heart with clarity in truth.
The honest abstainer is honest enough to question if he is really standing on Biblical ground when he says a Christian should not drink alcohol at all. The honest pro-drinker will also be honest enough to allow his preconceived ideas, earlier convictions and what he has been taught by the contemporary church to be tested, challenged, changed and moulded by the written Word of God.
Let me ask you a few questions as we begin this short series.
1. Are your opinions birthed out of personal study of the written Scriptures or are they the product of repeated comments by preachers and believers around you?
2. In your mind do you keep moving back and forward concerning your opinion of what God's will and Word is concerning wine in the Bible?
3. Do you have an honest open heart that is willing to change your stance, opinions, convictions and practise if convinced by the Scriptures that you are wrong?
4. Do you have a love for the truth, a desire to be free from error, and a longing to be taught by the Holy Spirit by way of the Scriptures?
Further Updates