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NASB | 1 Timothy 5:23 ¶ No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 5:23 ¶ No longer continue drinking [only] water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
Bible Question: What are your views on Christians drinking alcohol and smoking? I have heard that some say it is okay as long as you do it in moderation (drinking) but isn't it too easy to go over that fine line? Is there anything Biblical on the issue - I know there are things on drunkeness. But then people argue that they won't let it get that far! |
Bible Answer: Dear Friend, Hello, again! Now that you have heard the voice of tolerance...:-) Drinking and smoking are two completely different things, and must be treated separately. Drinking is in the Bible. 1) the spiritual use of the Cup we drink for the Lord's Supper. 2) Paul's exhortation to Timothy to drink wine for the sake of his health. 3) In the Gospel accounts Jesus often shared wine with others, during meals and other gatherings. Other places in the Old and New Testaments describe drinking wine as a common occurrence. 4) Abuse, drinking to excess, and drinking 'hard' stuff. Only 4) is discouraged, often strongly, and those who abuse it are fools. The other instances are either tolerated or encouraged. Smoking tobacco (or anything else, for that matter) is not written in the Bible. The closest we could come to that is "You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13 NASB (long-term suicide or second-hand murder), and "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB. Now we get to today, and how these apply to us. First, alcohol: As the Bible does not forbid the consumption of alcohol, we need to focus on what IS forbidden or discouraged. Abuse is when the use leads to anger, accidents, loose lips and loose hearts, foolish actions and behavior not becoming a Christian. Those who have a tendency to abuse or lack self-control (a fruit of the Spirit to be pursued!) are wise to stay away. Even those who CAN control themselves should be aware of those around them, and take care not to give bad influence to the young or the weak in faith. In other words, use your head! Next, tobacco: As it is not (clearly) in the Bible, we have to use a little commom sense, and common courtesy. I smoked cigarettes for over ten years, so I've been there. Tobacco is a filthy, smelly habit, it is addictive and expensive, wastes your time, steals from your boss, spouse, kids, friends, and eventually could steal your life in an agonizing death. Young boys look stupid, and young girls look ugly when a cigarette is in their hand or hanging from their lips. There is no measurable enjoyment, stress relief, or 'cool' factor in smoking. Those who know Jesus should have no need of this crutch, this handicap, and should be led in love to 'kick the habit' as soon as is spiritually (not humanly!) possible. My own experience is several years of 'trying' to quit, knowing it was foolish, but never 'really' willing to quit. When I came to know (be known by) Jesus, I asked Him for grace, and it was granted immediately. Yes, there was an 'empty space' for a while. So many 'little rituals' revolved around cigarettes. But the Lord Jesus is able to overcome this, and any other frailty! The other 'helpers' are your family and church. Don't let the influence of worldly people be stronger than the influence of those that love you! In my humble opinion and experience. In Jesus' name, charis |