MODERATION:If it's okay for Alcohol is it okay for...

I smoke an occasional cigar/pipe... so what? Your posts boarder on legalism as the consumption of alcohol is not prohibited in Scriptures... only drunkenness. I would agree that one could make a case that it would be best to avoid any/all it all together, but the reality is that most any behavior can become an obsession and become an idol... plenty of obese baptist preachers here in the mid-south that rail against booze and other behavioral sins, but then belly up to the buffet and gorge themselves and suck back sweet tea as if that's OK.

Please... this is getting silly.

 

General Answer: If there are no Biblical prohibitions against it, and it's not illegal, moderation is OK.

The five beers out of a six pack is an interesting question. My answer would be, "it depends". There are situations where I can drink 5 beers and not feel anything and others where 5 beers would make me legally drunk. Non-drinkers cannot understand this, but it is true.

 

My point exactly... I do have the right to do what I want, so long as I am within biblical boundaries. Your questions are moot on the grounds that you have mixed behaviors that are civilly illegal, which would make them sinful just based on that alone, with others that aren't (at least for now). But even if all were legal, I could still make the case that avoiding them altogether would be best for the Christ-Follower, but if a believer doesn't, that doesn't necessarily mean it is sin.

To equate drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and drinking caffeinated beverages with taking narcotics and porn is silly. Rather than embrace Pharisaicalism as a means to create and determine holiness, why not follow what the Scriptures say... Love God supremely, love others sacrificially. If something in your life causes you to sin, get rid of it. If something causes your brother to sin, don't do it.

This ain't rocket science.

 

In my opinion if the the first two were not illegal then these top three questions are reasonably good fits for the alcohol in moderation example. But, they are illegal so we are not free to use marijuana or cocaine in moderation.

Apples and oranges

Lottery? Perhaps...funds taken from personal entertainment budget?

Softporn? No

Unless you are a man of considerable size and you are drinking them over the course of a day with hearty meals, then no, 5 beers is not moderate.

 

1. I don't know, I would be inclined to say no because it against the laws of the state.
2. See number 1
3. I would say yes,
4. I would say yes
5. I would say no

 

Your examples are are off a bit:

1. Illegal
2. Illegal
3. Not mentioned in Scriptures, and is commonly accepted to be nothing but injurious to one's health.
4. Probably, if he wins...
5. Immoral
6. Vague example. Five beers in five minutes does not have the same effect of five beers over five days.

 

Jesus didn't turn water to weed.....

 

• It's illegal, so no
  
  It's illegal, so no.
  
  This would be one for discussion. I don't drink, but I think having one cigarette a day is worse than one wine a day. however, the question would be health as the Bible doesn't forbid tobacco. Of course the Bible doesn't mention tobacco at all, but it does mention alcohol and doesn't condemn the use of.
  
  
  Are you being a good Stewart of your money?
  
  No, Matt 5:28.

 

Difference is that God NEVER forbid us from partaking of alcohol, JUST that we are NOT to get drunk, nor ruled by it!

good to never drink the stuff, but no sin if one does partake within guidelines!

 

Just so everyone knows, it is perfectly okay to post on the BB in moderation.

It would be nice if some posters did.

I'll shut up now.:smilewinkgrin:

 

You do know that some states, I believe Colorado is one, have voted to legalize marijauna. So, now, is it OK for a Christian in Colorado (where it is legal) to smoke it?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/colo-1st-legal-recreational-pot-market-article-1.1356799

 

That is ridiculous. You are mixing things that are sinful, with things that are neutral, and even good things that Jesus did....almost blasphemous. A better list would be like this...

[*]Its O.k. to have "relations" with your wife, but not with women who are not... (no adultery)

[*]Its O.K. to play the Lottery (scripture is silent on this), as long as your motivation is not covetousness/greed

[*] Its o.k. to drink alcohol, as long as you don't get drunk.

[*] Scripture is silent on cigarettes. Just because something is unhealthy, or addictive, does not mean it is sinful. Chocolate chip cookies are also unhealthy and addictive...

[*] Hard mind-altering drugs are forbidden by scripture, except for medicinal uses. (I don't care if modern science calls alcohol a "drug"...scripture puts alcohol in a different category, regardless)


Saying alcohol can be misused, and so should be avoided, is like saying some people misuse sex for adultery, so you should not lay with your wife. It is a ridiculous argument. There is a right way, and a wrong way to use the gifts God has given us.