The Lord Jesus Christ was not a tee-totaler

Published on Updated on Jesus Christ, Joy

Jesus the Christ was not a tee-totaler. He ate sumptuous food and he drank alcohol.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Bible does not forbid the drinking of alcohol. But it simply warns us against excess.

Many religious people, especially Christians in the U.S., get this wrong. They imagine the Bible forbids alcohol, and they condemn people who drink it.

The Lord Jesus did not live an ascetic lifestyle. We imagine that wherever Jesus was, that’s where the party was.

Many Christians want to deny that, especially in the U.S., where many Christians associate godly zeal with being a tee-totaler.

Christians in the U.S. are also influenced by the Puritanical tradition, and by and centuries of preaching that equated alcohol and dancing with sin and evil.

Of course it is true that some individuals must totally abstain from alcohol. We encourage them to do so.

 

BIBLE VERSES

 

Deuteronomy 21:20. They shall tell the elders of his city, “This our son is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”

Proverbs 23:20. Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat:

Proverbs 23:21. for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Matthew 11:19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

Luke 7:34. The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

 

SEE ALSO

The joy of the LORD is your strength. Some Christians have a sad face and a somber demeanor. We wish they could know the joy of their Lord. Holiness is marked by joy. Joy equals strength!

 

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.