1st Timothy 5:23. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities.” A LITTLE WINE. There is benefit in many things that are available to us in nature. Some things can be helpful; others are a serious danger. Not all water is safe to drink when you travel from place to place. At times, it is best to drink something else to keep our body safe.
Things that pass through nature’s filter are generally safe to drink. But even the juices of some fruits make one stop to think, “Is this safe, though it tastes good? In it, there is no germicide.” So, you consider the health issues – digestive problems, and set them to one side.
In the wine that’s available in most places, there is a percentage of alcohol. This is what Timothy needed for health when encouraged to drink it by Paul. Paul made it plain by the Holy Spirit that a little wine was enough To deal with his need for digestive health (it is even good when we have a cough).
This verse doesn’t open the door to social drinking in any way. What the bacteria-killing alcohol did was maintain Timothy’s health each day. To use this verse as proof that the Bible says it’s alright to drink wine – And take a bottle to the table at meals – from this text is out of line.
Many texts in the Bible are warnings of serious consequences Of drinking wine, and we know too often, from that come often offences Against the law because one is under the influence of another spirit, Whose end is to make one reach for a drink whenever one is near it.
One’s natural reserve is often removed by the drinking of alcohol. Sometimes people lose control when under its influence, they fall. Hones are affected, work is affected, and it affects even the mind and soul. Never consider wine to be an answer to bring you out of depression’s hole.
Use it the way it is intended – for meeting medicinal needs. And carefully measure the “little wine,” and to the scriptures you give heed. Then you will benefit in a bodily way and save your soul from danger. A “little wine” can help you, but from a lot of wine you'll be a stranger.
“O Righteous God, I fear there are many of Thy children, even some of mine, who are drinking wine for the wrong reasons. Preserve them and their children, I pray, from this terrible danger they are flirting with. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Sin is not always quickly or easily discovered, and open sin needs to be clearly discerned. Decisions made as to those who lead or take leadership of some kind need to be evaluated. In a similar way, those good things that may be hidden will eventually come to light, showing the true character of a person. Our status in life doesn't change, but service for God done in God's way will be recognized by God in His own time. As the Mediator, our Lord Jesus makes the link between God and us. This is our assurance that God knows all about us and what is happening as we serve Him. Christ is also the High Priest who continually maintains that link between God and us and can keep us in fellowship with Him even when difficult situations arise. As the Advocate, our Lord Jesus Christ can mend the link that may be broken between God and us that happens when we fail, or bring into light anything that furthers His purposes through us.