Where's yur pitchers???
Posted on 11/25/2013 9:03:35 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
Where's yur pitchers???
Though I hate it, I am going to have to disagree with you on this, dear BB.
In fact, you had the correct answer right in your hand, the God-breathed verse which firmly says otherwise:
Pro 23:31 "Look* not thou upon the wine . . . "
* Imperfect tense, an act persistently or habitually performed in the past, but may be continually ongoing. 'Don't you have been staring longingly at . . .' This is not in the imperative voice on the one hand, but is not just take-it-or-leave it conditional wise advice, as the simple past or present tense might allow. No, it is a strengthened form of instruction that must not be ignored. Also, regard that the audience was unregenerated souls who had no indwelling Holy Spirit to instantly monitor and reinforce this Scripture, which says 'No! Look not!'
". . . when it is red, . . ."
Here the wine has changed through fermentation from a sugar-laden, neutral or mildly alkaline fluid has changed to an acidic (pH ~1 to ~3), sugar-depleted whose ambient population of anthocyanin color centers no longer absorb red and transmit blue light, but now absorb the blue and transmit red. This causes a shift from the fluid being purple to being red, an indicator of significant fermentation having taken place. Note that wine vinegar from purple grapes is also quite red
". . . when it giveth his colour in the cup, ..."
This is caused by the change to red, and accentuated by an increase in the index of refraction due to the dissolved alcohol fermentation product.
". . . when it moveth itself aright.
A large fraction of ethanol present will reduce the surface tension, such that wine in the glass will, after swirling, form a perceptible band of evaporated and recondensed alcohol, try to withdraw from the meniscus of the main body, thus forming 'tears' or 'legs,' as described by astute wine tasters. the main body
These physical properties are indicative of alcoholic content, without having to taste the fluid and are the signs for which the Holy Ghost warns the partaker of the presence of ethanol, a central nervous system poison, as well as other toxins--tannin, sulfites, phenols, and glycerine. The intake of toxins intoxicates one. (Note also that by direct inference, the grape juice is still wine when these properties are absent. I have never had a headache and overwhelming nausea fron drinking lots of Welch's.)
But the unregenerated carnal person or the spiritual infant likely will not hear and heed the Spiritual warning. And those who may be "Christian" but not really spiritually mature, will find reasons or excuses for self or others to continue toleration of alcohol as a recreational drug at some level, when the Holy Ghost clearly and unequivocally says "NO!" in God's Holy Word. This attitude is the mark of one who has no desire to advance further spiritually, IMHO.
Think of the wise, Spirit-controlled, hero Daniel, and the Scripture-bathed fellow Christians Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who followed his example:
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself" (Dan 1:8 AV)
Alcohol as a viand or recreational beverage for the committed Christan both defiles himself, insults the Holy Ghost, and deludes the onlooking world as to one's profession. On the other hand, takin in this doctrine, and thus being indoctrinated by the Holy Ghost, will lead to superlative spiritual rewards and maturity. Beloved John spoke of spiritual maturity in his acknowledgement of the neaniskos, "I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.. . . I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." He continues, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 Jn 2:13-17)
Dear BB, leavened wine is of the world system, it is not of The Father. Refusal to release it through lust of the flesh is not prompted by The Holy Ghost. It defiles one. one cannot become a spiritual adult, much less a spiritual parent of new spiritual babes, if such items are to be tolerated. one sign of young spiritual adults overcoming the Wicked One is putting away table wine for good, and sticking to the delicious 100% grape juice made from concentrate, freely available and cheap; just as full of resveratrol and antioxidants as Thunderbird, and far tastier. I shiver when I think of some footstomped, E. coli contaminated, unfiltered, unpasteurized grape must stored in an untanned goatskin for a few weeks or months, of which Jesus spoke, and not in a commending way. .
Ask not what beverage alcohol can do for me; ask what I can do for those whose livelihood is in manufacturing beverage alcohol.
Or distilled spirits.
(I worked for the Dupont Company, after Charles and Edgar Bronfman, the owner of Seagram's Distilleries, bought it out and raped it.)
Look not on the wine when it is red . . . Eh?
I appreciate that you have strong feelings about this subject and I agree that for some people - those who have a "problem" with alcohol abuse - the complete avoidance of any alcohol is wise. What I don't agree with - and mildly resent - is the notion that everyone has to believe as you do about a topic that Scripture never draws a black or white line on. That a Christian has "liberty" on those areas that are nonessential seems to irk particularly legalistic folks. The idea, that one answers to God for ALL of his life choices, brings down judgmental and superior attitudes from them that can cause the OPPOSITE response from "babes in Christ".
Personally, I rarely have a (meaning ONE) glass of wine with dinner. I'll even cook with wine on occasion. Alcohol is not a big issue for me and I can take it or leave it - I don't HAVE TO have it and neither does my husband. If he chooses to have a glass or two of wine at the end of a long day to relax at home, who am I or anyone to dictate to him that he isn't being a "good" Christian if he does? Our use of alcohol is not a "recreational drug" and I resent the idea that this demonstrates mine or anyone else's immaturity in the faith, resistance or stubborn refusal to obey God or a denial of Scriptural commands. You are free to hold your own opinions and live the life you do between you and God, but consider that others also have that freedom to choose for themselves as well.
MODERATION is the key word here!
Go ahead and resent, beller if you must, but it does demonstrate exactly that, for it is a watershed issue, and God makes it so. And the more one rebels, the deafener He gets.
I believe that when confronted with God's will as in Proverbs 23:31 and Daniel 1:8, the spiritual (hu)man, without requiring a dozen other reasons, simply says, "Sir, yes Sir!" and moves on. Can you see the Holy Ghost asking for your approval, "Is this OK with you?"
Finis
Now, I also am finis.
I decline the role of Judge—only The Lord, His Scripture, you (1 Cor. 11:31-32, Jer. 17:9-10), your local assembly, and circumstances can do that. But my “finis” was only regarding the current topic, and my desire is to keep on loving you with Christian brotherly love, only warning if seeming to be indicated and necessary (Gal. 2:11,17 etc.). Dona nobis pacem.
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