Bible counsels on drinking
are the topic, today, along with more on the eternal purposes of GOD. A writer
at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Kadar” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since
November 20, 2012) posted the following:
Drinking prohibited in the bible.
PROOF?
"drink neither win nor strong drink" - luke 1:15
you only choose the bits you like
THE BATTLE AXE: According to
the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012)—The eternal purposes of GOD go beyond the mere
maintenance of created beings and living creatures that continually express
carnal, material and spiritual needs. Like the children of GOD upon the earth,
who have had to receive correction through patriarchs, covenant, judges, kings,
prophets, apostles, bishops, sacraments, and sufferings, the angels “must be
told” or they fail to recognize the fullness of divine will. Angels do not age,
grow old, learn or mature, yet, contrary to divine intent, their rank and glory
may be changed, and their sacred substance may be diminished through
corruption. In the same way Almighty GOD is revealed to those of the earth
through copies and depictions of things in heaven, the Most High is revealed to
citizens of heaven through visible figures that are upon the earth. Both men
and angels are challenged to know, love and serve an invisible, unseen GOD “by
faith,” and through unity that derives from sacred purpose. Oneness
prevails rather than equality, parity and sameness. Fullness and wholeness are
accomplished through balance, diversity, meekness, obedience to divine law,
reverence, worship and truth. Among men, many only account as truth what they
themselves apprehend and discover through trial and error. Such are often being
directly influenced by unseen spirits that receive enlightenment and insight
only by creating and marking differences, disparity and imbalance. Those who
are deceived cannot accept the truth that there is absolutely no way for angels
to rule over mankind apart from GOD. Being fellow-servants and peers with
mankind (Revelation 19: 9-10 and 22: 8-9, KJV), holy angels also are
challenged to speak as did Job and David (Job 42: 5-6; Psalms 34: 13-19; and
Psalms 51: 8-17, KJV). Given creatures from dust may grasp these things,
angels are without excuse.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Who hath
woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds
without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they
that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it
giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the
last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall
behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou
shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon
the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was
not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I
awake? I will seek it yet again. (Proverbs 23: 29-35, King James
Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: What Is
Reality (a.k.a. Truth)? 09/29/2012; Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); All
Righteousness (01/11/2012); Reason to Believe (01/12/2012); Diet and Food?
(12/31/2010); Not Sure? (01/01/2011); Eat and Run? (10/21/2010); Divine Blessing
(10/22/2010)
While juices and oils from plants often have
profound impact upon the flesh (i.e., human appetite, senses, and mind), no
beverage, drug or material substance can dominate or influence the living spirit
from GOD that resides within mankind. Even so, here is the sort of counsel
often shared by fathers and sons among the people of GOD through Jesus
Christ:
The application of truth recorded in the Bible has
to be in accordance with various conditions, needs, and understandings, just
like advice from a doctor regarding ones health. Certain ideas about diet and
food apply broadly, at most seasons, and in a variety of locations. At other
times, abstinence and limits must be proscribed.
Many receive the Scriptures as not condemning out
of hand the use of wine, strong beverages, and so-called “controlled substances”
(e.g., caffeine, coffee, cola, hashish, marijuana, tobacco, rum, and whiskey).
While many of these (particularly the drugs) have medicinal value, they pose
serious threats to health, because they alter the functioning of the body,
rather than encourage its functioning as do herbal remedies. Typically, users
are unable to control the dosage and quality of those substances, and the
patterns of use and experience are not consistent and predictable. For most
mature believers, the primary proscriptions against drinking address
drunkenness, intoxication, loss of inhibitions, and lack of sobriety. Respect
for the pleasures of life is encouraged (e.g., Judges 9: 12-13; Ecclesiastes
2: 24 and 9: 7; John 2: 8-10, King James Version) while exaggeration, greed,
and hedonism are condemned (e.g., Proverbs 20: 1 and 31: 4; Isaiah 28: 7,
KJV).
The following are some of the many notable examples
of counsel against drinking that are put before the covenant peoples of GOD. In
each instance, discipline, obedience, preparedness, sobriety and vigilance are
paramount. Readers should consider the sons of Jonadab (Jeremiah 35, KJV).
Also, attend to Jesus, the Christ who counsels that we watch and pray in Matthew
(26: 41), Mark (13: 33 and 14: 38) and Luke (21: 36). More than this, it is
written: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it,
and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take,
eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave
it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto
you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when
I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26: 26-29,
KJV).
There is far more to be said, correctly applied,
and spiritually apprehended. (For example, believers all have duty to provide
the best possible example to others. Hence, it is no error or offense to pursue
the counsel of the Apostle Paul: It is good neither to eat flesh, nor
to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is
offended, or is made weak. Romans 14: 21, KJV.) Even so, I trust this
fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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