01/02/08

Alcohol, Wine and Strong drinks

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Isaiah 5:11

The word 'wine' has been very misunderstood in the Bible. With it, people make an excuse to get drunk or become a so called social drinker. The best excuse used is the miracle of Jesus converting the water to wine (John chpt. 2). To clear this I will take you to the truth of the Word (therefore this may be a little longer).

The Bible - Old Testament was written mainly in Hebrew with a few chapters and a few verses in Aramaic. The New Testament was mainly written in Greek (except for a few Aramaic words).

In Hebrew the word 'wine' is well defined, there are totally 7 words used in the Bible in Hebrew for wine.

Word - pronunciation - (Strong's lexicon reference number) - meaning - i.e. Scriptures used in

Yayin - Yay-in - (Strong 3196) - fermented wine - Gen 27:28, Joel 1:5, Proverb 23:30
Tiyrowsh - Tee-roshe - (Strong 8492) - fresh grape juice - Gen 27:25
Shekar - Shay-kawr - (Strong 7491) - Alcohol or strong drink or spirit - Num 28:7 (only scripture)
Chamar - Kham-ar - (Strong 2562) - an Aramaic word for wine - Ezra 6:9
Mamcak - mam-sawk - (Strong 4469) - spiced wine - Proverb 23:30
Cobe - so-beh - (Strong 5435) - getting drunk with strong wine - Isaiah 1:22
Aciyc - Aw-sees - (Strong 6071) - fresh wine not fermented - Joel 1:5
Enab - Ay-awb - (Strong 6025) - to bear fruit or grape as a fruit or wine - Hosea 3:1


In Greek there are totally 3 words used for wine.

Oinos - oy-nos - (Strong 3631) - wine in general whose fermentation levels may vary to from mild to medium - John 2:10, 1 Tim 3:8, 1 Tim 5:23
Gleukos - glyoo-kos - (Strong 1098) - high fermented wine - Act 2:13 (only scripture)
Parvinos - Par-oy-nos - (Strong 3943) - given to wine or getting drunk with wine - 1 Tim 3:3


If you read the Old Testament scriptures, fermented wine was not recommended and alcohol was not at all allowed. The only place the word was used was when it was used as a part of a sacrifice to the Lord. It was used highly concentrated, in pure spirit form and represented prayers.

In the New Testament even the miracle that Jesus did was not make water to strong wine but normal wine who's fermentation level could be from mild to medium. Even this miracle was done only out of respect for His mother, her faith and the faith of the other people instructed by her, but not of His own free will. For every other miracle Jesus did was only to glorify God not Himself or any other person. But by this miracle His glory was manifested. Therefore Jesus first said 'my hour is not come' the hour to manifest His own glory.

If you read Paul's letter to Timothy, he clearly specifies that the Bishop (Priest) who is chosen to lead the congregation should not be a person who drinks strong wine. Even the mild wine was recommended by Paul when one was weak or tired that too in regulated quantities.

From the start I was against alcohol. My father (who is no more) suffered due to the same but by God's grace was set free completely from it, before he died. I was recommended by so called friends to have it to put on weight for before I was very slim (thin). I needed to put on weight to get married cause I was just 45-50kgs at that time and I was about 29yrs old. I tried drinking beer but did not like it so used to add soft drinks to it to force my self to drink (and to keep others happy). I even tried alcohol but just did not like it. It was all God's grace that I was kept away from alcohol. Today when I am baptized with the Holy Spirit not a drop of and alcohol, beer or even mild Champaign is agreeable to me. A drop or even the smell of it makes feel drunk. The Spirit inside me can not stand the spirit of this world. In fact, I try to keep away from get-togethers where alcohol is served.

We become the temple of God, when we are baptized with His Holy Spirit. How can one, place alcohol on the altar of the Lord?

Let the truth set you free. If you have the weakness for the spirit, ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit and you will be free from the spirit.


[ Keep confessing with your mouth to be set free ]

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for God Himself has anointed me. I eat the Body of Christ and drink the Blood of Christ. Christ dwells in me. My body is the temple of God and I will keep His temple pure.


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father God, You gave to me your Spirit. Fill me with your Spirit that I may be free from this dangerous substance that can harm my spirit. I love You more than any thing including alcohol. You have set me free from this bondage and I thank You in Jesus' Name. Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Gen 27:25-28
22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine <3196>, and he drank.
26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine <8492>:
29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Joel 1:5
5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine <3196>, because of the new wine <6071>; for it is cut off from your mouth.

Proverb 23:29-30
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine <3196>; they that go to seek mixed wine <4469>.

Num 28:6-7
6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine <7491> to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.

Ezra 6:9
9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine <2562>, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

Isaiah 1:21-23
21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine <5435> mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Hosea 3:1
1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine <6025>.

John 2:3-11
3 And when they wanted wine <3631>, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine <3631>.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine <3631>, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine <3631>; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine <3631> until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

1 Tim 3:3-9
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine <3943>, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine <3631>, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

1 Tim 5:21-23
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine <3631> for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)