MAY 30

1 Thessalonians 5:5-7
Memorise 1 Corinthians 10:23
"...all things are lawfull... but all things edify not"

Alcohol is not only a legal mind-altering substance of intoxication but also a poison. Harms of alcohol include damage to the oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, liver, brain, heart, bone marrow, immune system and blood cells. However, some argue that godly men consumed alcohol in Biblical times. Even Jesus Himself turned water to wine. Others say that it is harmless when consumed in moderation. This issue must be examined closely and in the right context.

In biblical times, clean water was not readily available. Wine, which contained alcohol, was added for disinfecting the water making it safe to drink (1 Timothy 5:23). Climate control did not exist in those days to cool down wine cellars and prolong the fermentation process, therefore the alcohol content in wine was much lower. Distillation had not been invented yet, therefore the wine could not be fortified with the addition of pure alcohol. In short, the wine in biblical days was much weaker and greatly diluted in water for disinfection before consumption. Pertaining to Jesus turning water into wine, Jesus does not contradict His own Word. Drunkenness is condemned in the strongest terms throughout Scripture. By exercising our logic of faith, it would be hard to imagine Jesus providing people with a drink that could have resulted in drunkenness. Indeed it would have been the very best wine since Jesus made it, but it would also have been safe to consume with no risk of intoxication even in large quantities. In all likelihood, Jesus made the ‘best wine’, which was fresh grape juice, which is why it was so surprising to the guests who drank it, for it was rare to have freshly pressed juice in that time of the year. Finally, alcohol is known as a “gateway drug”. People who progress to using other addictive substances often start from drinking in “moderation”.

Dear Teen, for the above reasons and in today’s context when strong drink is served and consumed to the point of intoxication by unbelievers, having an alcoholic beverage even in small quantities can stumble both believers and unbelievers alike. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says that Christians may be at liberty to do certain things, but if they are not edifying then they should be ceased. Do you care enough about being a good witness for Jesus and those around you who watch your conduct to totally abstain?

Thought: The fruit of the spirit is edifying, bu the spirit of the vine is not.
Prayer: Give us, O Lord, a heart that loves to honur Thee and a sober mind to meditate on Thee.