— The Bible doesn’t forbid wine, but it commands wisdom and restraint.
📖 Summary
Scripture doesn’t condemn alcohol itself,
but it warns against drunkenness, excess, and loss of self-control.
The issue isn’t the drink—it’s the mastery of the heart.
Maturity is not “I can,” but “I don’t have to.”
1️⃣ Introduction | “Isn’t one drink okay?”
Many Christians justify drinking casually.
But Scripture looks not at the glass in your hand,
but at the allegiance of your heart.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | Permitted, Not Encouraged
📘 Psalm 104:14–15 (ESV) — “Wine to gladden the heart of man.”
📘 Proverbs 20:1 (ESV) — “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler.”
📘 Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) — “Do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.”
📘 1 Timothy 5:23 (ESV) — “Use a little wine for the sake of your stomach.”
→ Wine is a gift when ruled by wisdom, a curse when ruled by indulgence.
3️⃣ Theological Insight | Freedom Is Measured by Self-Mastery
📜 John MacArthur — “Wine and the Believer”
“Scripture forbids drunkenness, not drinking.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — “Christian Liberty”
“Freedom used without love becomes sin.”
📜 John Piper — “Desiring God”
“The Spirit’s joy outlasts every earthly pleasure.”
📜 Jonathan Edwards — “Religious Affections”
“Holy affections are born of grace, not stimulation.”
📜 Westminster Confession XXI.1
“Worship and life must be governed by sobriety and reverence.”
4️⃣ Misconceptions vs. Biblical Truth
| Misconception | Cause | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “Alcohol is sin.” | Legalism | Scripture commands control, not abstinence. |
| “A little can’t hurt.” | Rationalization | Motive matters more than measure. |
| “I’m free outside church.” | Compartmentalized faith | Holiness applies to all life. |
| “Jesus drank, so I can.” | Misuse of context | His wine symbolized joy, not indulgence. |
5️⃣ Application | Four Principles for Mature Restraint
1️⃣ Check Your Motive — Is it for joy or escape?
2️⃣ Set Boundaries — Stop before it controls you.
3️⃣ Consider Others — Don’t stumble the weak (Rom 14:21).
4️⃣ Seek Spiritual Joy — Replace stimulation with the Spirit’s fullness (Gal 5:22).
6️⃣ Conclusion | The Issue Isn’t Wine, But Worship
God doesn’t ban the drink—but He forbids its dominion.
Christian freedom isn’t “I can,”
but “I’m free not to.”
True joy is not found in a bottle,
but in the Spirit who satisfies forever.
“Freedom is not the right to do as you please,
but the power to do what pleases God.” — Revito
Faith. Truth. Renewal. — Revito
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#ChristianDrinking #SelfControl #SpiritFilledLife #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #JonathanEdwards #WestminsterConfession #ReformedTheology #FaithTruthRenewal #Revito
