Can’t I
Drink Just A Little?
Many people,
even Christians, will ask questions like: “Is it ok to drink just a little
alcohol?” Now, I cannot figure out what
motivation a Christian would have for asking this (besides his or her own
desire to practice drinking), But I would simply present a few thoughts on the
matter. One passage often cited to
justify social drinking is a statement the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy:
“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach
and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23).
Let’s examine some facts about this text.
First,
it is evident by the phrase, “for your stomach and your frequent ailments” that
young Timothy had some…well…frequent stomach ailments. He was instructed to drink not only water, but wine for his
ailment. It is probable that Timothy
abstained completely from alcohol, or else Paul wouldn’t have needed to give
him that advice. He was told to use a “little
wine,” not a large amount, just as you or I might take medication that contains
a small dose of alcohol. Of course, in
Timothy’s day, the same medicine would not have been available. It is certain that this small amount of
alcohol was for a medicinal purpose, not a social purpose. So, this passage in no way justifies the use
of alcohol for recreational purposes.
Another
couple passages often misused in the defense of social drinking are 1 Timothy 3:3&8
and Titus 1:7. Some people say that the
phrase “not given to much wine” implies one may drink a
little wine. But if those people are
consistent here are a few things that they would also have to say:
o
Ecclesiastes 7:17, “Do not be overly wicked”
means its alright to be a little wicked!
o
Also, “do not let sin reign in your mortal body”
(Rom.
o
Peter warns Christians about an “excess of riot”
(1 Pet. 4:4). Would just a little
rioting be alright?
As with all sin,
there is a temptation to seek justification for “moderate” alcohol
consumption. There are just so many
reasons not to drink that I can’t imagine any Christian standing up for such a
behavior. Do you advocate the drinking
of alcohol? If so,
why?