Behaviors

John 2:6-10; 1 Tim 5:23; Eph 5:18

In John 2:6-10, Jesus turned water into wine; not just any wine but the best and finest and about 476 liters of it. That would have given the guests a total of more than 600 bottles of wine. Now, how many wedding guests do you think they had?

The Bible never stops believers from drinking wine. In fact, the Apostle Paul counseled Timothy to drink a bit of wine for his own health (1 Tim 5:23).

The Bible only says that we should not get drunk because drunkenness can lead to many other sins – See S29, Get Drunk.

 1 Tim 4:3; 1 Cor 6:12, 10:23; Rom 14:15; 1 Cor 10:27-32; Acts 15:20

Acts 15:20 reads,

‘Abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.’

When it comes to food, it is best to avoid eating anything that has been strangled, offered to idols, or has blood on them. Even though these might be permissible, we may not want to stumble someone who might take offence to what we eat (1 Cor 10:23, Rom 14:15; 1 Cor 10:27-32).

For more information, please go to Sin/ Action – S147 to S149.

Matt 3:4; 1 Tim 4:3

In Matt 3:4, John the Baptist had locusts and wild honey as food. The Apostle Paul called out believers who sought ‘abstinence from (certain) foods’ (1 Tim 4:3).

The Apostle Paul said in Col 2:16,

‘Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink’,

clarifying that since the New Testament, Christ has freed us from the Law.

Gal 5:1 says, 

‘For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.’

1 Cor 10:28 says that it is perfectly fine to eat any food except when someone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice.’ The Apostle Paul explained that it was more for ‘the sake of the one who informed you and for the sake of (his) conscience.’

Effectively, Christians are allowed to eat anything as long as the conscience of the one who is offering food is not impacted. In addition, as long as we do not eat them to the point of becoming a glutton.

Do not forbid food in general although it is our contention that it is wise to avoid food offered to idols, meat that comes from animals that have been strangled, and also from blood.

See S48, Enjoy excessive eating, and also Sin/ Action – S147 to S149.