FRIDAY May 9, 2025

The Influence of Wine

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
1 Timothy 5:23

It is necessary to look at the context of what Paul wrote to Timothy about drinking a little wine. Timothy had stomach problems. He was not giving believers permission to go ahead and become social drinkers. In those days, drinking the water made Timothy sick. So Paul advised him to add a little bit of wine to the water. Wine was used for medicinal purposes because it would neutralize any bacteria in the water.

Again, Paul was not encouraging anyone to drink wine. The Bible warns against it: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise (Proverbs 20:1). I do not think anyone can argue with that Scripture. Those who drink can completely lose control of their senses, and they have the capability of becoming violent. Yet in this liberal society, I know there are a lot of Christians who are social drinkers.

In Romans 14, Paul held Christians accountable for a weaker brother who saw them drinking. If they are made to stumble, and they walk away from Jesus Christ, God will hold them responsible. Therefore, if you feel you have that liberty to drink, do so in the privacy of your own home. Even then, what about your children when they see you drinking? Do not stumble them.

I like what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Why not follow that example in your own life? If you have a problem with drinking, ask God to deliver you. Do not place yourself under the influence of anything that will impair your judgment and destroy your Christian witness.

Another Scripture to take to heart is Ephesians 5:18 NLT: Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.... It is the Spirit of God that is to be controlling your life––nothing else.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
~Proverbs 23:29-30~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!