31. Bible Temperance
BT

1. IN WHAT WAYS CAN WE BRING GLORY TO GOD?

1BT 1 Cor 10:31 In order to glorify God, the Christian should follow the Bible's instruction in everything, including the things we eat and drink. Appetite is not a safe guide.

2. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF FOOD WE EAT?

2BT Isa. 55:2 God wants us to take into our bodies only that which is good.

3. WHAT WORD DOES GOD USE TO DESCRIBE THE FOOD THAT WE SHOULDN'T EAT?

3BT Deut. 14:2, 3 Because we are God's treasured possession, we should not eat any abominable (evil) thing. (NIV = "detestable")

4. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE DRINKING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

4BT Prov. 20:1 It is not wise to drink alcoholic beverages.

  • "Satan gathered the fallen angels together to devise some way of doing the most possible evil to the human family. One proposition after another was made, till finally Satan himself thought of a plan. He would take the fruit of the vine, also wheat, and other things given by God as food, and would convert them into poisons, which would ruin man's physical, mental, and moral powers, and so overcome the senses [so] that Satan should have full control." Temperance p. 12

    • 5. WHO IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM?

    5BT 1 Cor. 1:30 Jesus is the source of all wisdom for us. Since drinking alcoholic beverages is not a wise thing to do, we can be sure Jesus never imbibed.

    6. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WINE JESUS MADE FOR THE WEDDING IN CANA?

    6BT John 2:1-10 The Greek word for wine is oinos. This word can describe both fresh grape juice and alcoholic wine. The only way to tell which one is being used is by the way it is used in the context. It is doubtful that Jesus, the source of wisdom, would make more than 120 gallons of alcoholic wine. Then too, the master of the feast recognized that it had a better flavor. If the wedding party had been drinking alcoholic wine, by the time they had gone through several gallons of it (for all the guests) he probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

    We are instructed in the Bible that we should follow Jesus' example in everything (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21), and that would include accepting His wisdom as our own. For this reason the true Christian will refrain from drinking intoxicating beverages.

    7. HOW DOES SOLOMON DESCRIBE PEOPLE WHO DRINK TOO MUCH?

    7BT Prov. 23:29-32 Solomon here describes the woes of an alcoholic. Most people who drink do not feel that this applies to them, as they think they can control their intake. But the problems of an alcoholic begin when he takes the first drink, and no one really knows where the first one will lead. The only safe course, then, is to abstain entirely.

    8. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SHARING AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK WITH SOMEONE ELSE?

    8BT Hab. 2:15 The Bible pronounces a woe upon anyone who pours an alcoholic drink for his neighbor.

    In this text we can see that the person who is getting his neighbor drunk, has an ulterior motive: He wants to lower the scruples of the person to the point where He can commit sexual acts with him.

    9. WHAT DOES EATING AND DRINKING WRONG THINGS HAVE TO DO WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?

    9BT 1 Cor. 6:19, 20 Our bodies belong to God and are temples for the Holy Spirit. Any food, or drink, or other substance which would make us unfit as temples of the Holy Spirit, would bring dishonor upon God.

  • "The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here often means the surrender of the whole being to evil. The tendencies of the physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death. The body is to be brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being. The passions are to be controlled by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God. The kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear sway in the life. Intellectual power, physical stamina, and the length of life depend upon immutable laws. Through obedience to these laws, man may stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror of principalities and powers, of "the rulers of the darkness of this world," and of "spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12." {PK 488.4}
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    10. WHAT WILL BE THE END OF THOSE WHO DEFILE THEIR BODIES WITH HARMFUL SUBSTANCES?

    10BT 1 Cor. 3:17 If we defile the body temple with harmful things, not only will we cause trouble for ourselves in this life, but God will finally destroy us.

  • It doesn't matter how we defile our bodies, if we do anything that will bring disease or premature death upon ourselves, we will make it necessary for God to destroy us on the day of judgment.
  • With this in mind we would be wise to refrain from using tobacco; from drinking beverages which contain alcohol or other harmful chemicals (such as caffeine); from using habit-forming or mood changing drugs (except as prescribed by a physician); and from overeating, overworking, and overplaying.
  • The opposite is also true: We need to do those things that will increase our health–adequate exercise, sufficient pure water (both on the inside and outside), and enough rest to allow our bodies to regain strength for another day.
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    11. WHAT SHOULD BE THE EXPERIENCE OF ONE WHO IS LOOKING FOR JESUS TO COME?

    11BT 1 John 3:2, 3 If we really have the hope of being like Christ when He returns, we will purify ourselves now, even as Jesus is pure.

    Jesus never ate pork or any unclean flesh food. He would never have used tobacco, or any caffeinated or alcoholic beverage, or any habit-forming drug. Through His indwelling Spirit, Jesus can also take all these things out of our lives so that we too can be pure when He comes. This purification is part of the process of getting ready to meet Jesus at His second coming, and of being prepared for an eternal home in the new earth.

    12. HOW SHOULD WE ACT AS WE PREPARE FOR CHRIST TO COME?

    12BT 2 Cor 6:17-7:1 (NIV) "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

    Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.