The verse where Paul asks in 1 Tim. 5:23 where Paul gives instruction to Timothy to drink a little wine clearly shows that there are medicinal purposes that can be recommended. It was used as an anaesthetic until recent times; and as with any other substance it can be abused.
There are multiple issues here that need to be addressed. First; there is our own history and whether it involved any substance abuse. Obviously for an alcoholic; drinking is not an option-the world knows this even if they don't follow that advice or are incapable of doing so. Secondly; careful introspection shows that there are few who would drink without once desiring the relaxed state it produces. With a meal; and with a family member (as in the wedding at Cana) it certainly could be permitted.
A bigger issue is that we should not do anything to cause a brother (or anyone else) to fall into sin. If we are in any group of people it is likely someone there is an alcoholic or prone to sin with drinking. It is probably unusual and difficult in our own families to ensure that everyone there doesn't have that issue.
I don't know much about wine; although I have tasted "non alcoholic" beer and can't tell the difference. We should note that those with diabetes also have to be careful. Beer in particular with it's carbohydrates leading to spikes in sugar levels aren't going to stay healthy drinking a lot. Clearly; if we can drink it is in small amounts and drunkenness is always a sin.
The Bible does not say it is sinful to drink alcohol, but it does say that drunkenness is sinful. See Isaiah 5:11, Proverbs 20:1. Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:11 and Romans 13:13 and Galatians 5:21 all list drunkenness or drunkard as sinful.
There are multiple issues here that need to be addressed. First; there is our own history and whether it involved any substance abuse. Obviously for an alcoholic; drinking is not an option-the world knows this even if they don't follow that advice or are incapable of doing so. Secondly; careful introspection shows that there are few who would drink without once desiring the relaxed state it produces. With a meal; and with a family member (as in the wedding at Cana) it certainly could be permitted.
A bigger issue is that we should not do anything to cause a brother (or anyone else) to fall into sin. If we are in any group of people it is likely someone there is an alcoholic or prone to sin with drinking. It is probably unusual and difficult in our own families to ensure that everyone there doesn't have that issue.
I don't know much about wine; although I have tasted "non alcoholic" beer and can't tell the difference. We should note that those with diabetes also have to be careful. Beer in particular with it's carbohydrates leading to spikes in sugar levels aren't going to stay healthy drinking a lot. Clearly; if we can drink it is in small amounts and drunkenness is always a sin.
The Bible does not say it is sinful to drink alcohol, but it does say that drunkenness is sinful. See Isaiah 5:11, Proverbs 20:1. Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:11 and Romans 13:13 and Galatians 5:21 all list drunkenness or drunkard as sinful.
1Thessalonians 5:5-10, 1Timothy 3:2,11, Titus 1:8, Titus 2, 1Peter 1:13, 1Peter 4:7, Leviticus 10:9, Leaders, priests, Numbers 6:2-4,
There are a two stories in Genesis that shows negative results.
Deuteronomy 32:33, Proverbs 21:17, Isaiah 5:10-23, Isaiah 28:7,
Proverbs 31:4-7,
Hopefully these are helpful
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