Is Drinking Wine the Devil?

    One of those expected but perhaps under publicized aspects of becoming reformed is the propensity to indulge oneself in the exercise of alcoholic liberty. For some the concept of ever getting to this point is what keeps men from considering reformation theology. For others perhaps this is the drawing factor.
   
All this to say that the exercise of these liberties or carnal activities needs to be evaluated on a Biblical basis divorced (as much as possible) from underlying presuppositions.

First off wine is mentioned many times in Scripture. In some cases it is used as a catalyst for sin and stupidity (Noah's nakedness, and Lot's daughters). In other cases wine is viewed as a gift and a blessing.
   
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) Genesis 14:18

He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. Deuteronomy 7:13

    My purpose is not to lay out an entire case for why wine is okay. I think the arguments are apparent, and Scripture clearly teaches in many passages that alcohol is a gift that can be abused like anything else. Martin Luther summed it up well when he said we'd have to kill all the women and dump out all the wine if we were to remove something just because it has been abused.

    My main point is to say that the sin involving alcohol is neither partaking or abstaining. The sins involving alcohol are 1. Drunkenness and 2. Pride. Drunkenness goes without saying. Pride however is the one issue that gets overlooked.

    The pride that motivates one to say, "I'm a good Christian because I don't drink alcohol" is equally odious as the pride that says, "Because I'm a smart Christian I know better than those ignorant fundies and I'm gonna laugh it up as I fill up my glass".

    The correct motive in partaking or abstaining should be the glory of Christ. We are instructed to do everything to his glory (1 Cor 10:31). Therefore if you will not drink wine, be sure your motive is for His glory. If you will drink wine, be sure your motive is for His glory.

    I can honestly say that in the past I have drunk wine in a spirit of pride and condescension. But now when I raise a glass, I partake with a spirit of humble gratitude for the gift God has given to be used moderately and with thanksgiving.