How much wine is not to much?

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M

mekajen

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#1
Mar 22, 2023
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#1
Hi. I was wondering how much wine is not too much? The following from the Bible indicates that it’s ok to have some:
Psalm 104:15 "... wine that makes glad the heart of man... "
1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

And of course some verses say that it’s a sin to drink much:
Ephesians 5:18 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

So, if it’s to make your heart glad that means that in my case I would need maybe three glasses of wine. I am around 140kg, 42 years old with a biggish build.

But the question remains how often? I would say not more than once a week. I have had more than once a week lately and hopefully, I pull up and cut back. I write this because I like a bit of wine, I only drink red wine and no other alcoholic drink.
Now the above verses mention wine, not whisky, bear, etc. So does that mean we should only drink wine? I think so since strong alcoholic drinks like vodka for instance are a bit too strong and therefore too easy to have too much.

Anyway, I am very much interested in others' understanding.

Thanks
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

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#2
Jul 12, 2021
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Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. Too much wine impedes our ability to be led by the Spirit. Also, too much wine is not good for a person's health. So, some simple guidelines are..

1. Not too much so that it impairs your ability to discern and respond to the Spirit
2. Not to much where you are drunk and it affects your health

This is assuming that the Lord permits you to drink at all. Sometimes His direction is for the person to not drink alcohol at all for various reasons. If your conscience is clear there is no issue.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#3
Sep 4, 2013
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Medically speaking: At one time, Hospitals gave patients a cup of red wine at bedtime rather than sleeping pills. 2 to 4 ounces was the normal dose. I would think that would be considered "not too much? for Christians. BTW, red wine is what should be drunk..... it is the healthiest.........
 
Tall_Timbers

Tall_Timbers

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#4
Mar 31, 2023
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#4
I'm a 200 pound fella. When I have wine, which isn't very often, I'll normally have two servings, or half a bottle. If I drink a whole bottle though, it's not too much. When I do drink wine, it's white wine, usually Pinot Grigio/Gris, which is pretty dry, but I like it anyway. How much I drink often has to do with how long the movie is I'm watching while I sip it.

I drink beer even less frequently, but when I do, it'll usually be two or three bottles, usually Corona. If I drank more than that, it wouldn't be too much.

Hard liquor is something that's never been a part of my life. I guess a person has to develop a taste for things like whiskey... I've never tasted it that I can recall. I do usually have a margarita night once a year sometime between Christmas and New Years. I started that because I wanted my kids to experience their first alcoholic beverages at home under my watchful eye. I'd then encourage them to avoid alcohol outside of our home until they're at least 25 years old...
 
SomeDisciple

SomeDisciple

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Jul 4, 2021
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I don't know how you guys can drink red wine. It doesn't make me feel so fine- that song is a lie; it just instantly gave me a headache the last time I had some. I didn't even have that much and it was like BOOM instant hangover- but worse than that. I think I would rather get hit by a car than drink that stuff.
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

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Jul 12, 2021
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SomeDisciple said:
I don't know how you guys can drink red wine. It doesn't make me feel so fine- that song is a lie; it just instantly gave me a headache the last time I had some. I didn't even have that much and it was like BOOM instant hangover- but worse than that. I think I would rather get hit by a car than drink that stuff.
Click to expand...
My wife has the same reaction to reds. She can drink whites with no issue, though. Even most Rieslings are okay. Blushes? Just fine. Reds? Boom! headache.
 
Obedience

Obedience

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Dec 3, 2023
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2 Peter 1:6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#9
Apr 21, 2021
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#9
mekajen said:
How much wine is not to much?
Click to expand...
If it becomes more of a burden than a blessing it's time to refrain.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

Personally I'm a teetotaler. I can find plenty of reasons to have a glad heart without it so why bother. It's a great feeling knowing I can get by without it.
 
Thunderrr-mental

Thunderrr-mental

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Dec 18, 2023
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#10
mekajen said:
Hi. I was wondering how much wine is not too much? The following from the Bible indicates that it’s ok to have some:
Psalm 104:15 "... wine that makes glad the heart of man... "
1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

And of course some verses say that it’s a sin to drink much:
Ephesians 5:18 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

So, if it’s to make your heart glad that means that in my case I would need maybe three glasses of wine. I am around 140kg, 42 years old with a biggish build.

But the question remains how often? I would say not more than once a week. I have had more than once a week lately and hopefully, I pull up and cut back. I write this because I like a bit of wine, I only drink red wine and no other alcoholic drink.
Now the above verses mention wine, not whisky, bear, etc. So does that mean we should only drink wine? I think so since strong alcoholic drinks like vodka for instance are a bit too strong and therefore too easy to have too much.

Anyway, I am very much interested in others' understanding.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I suppose the more you drink on a regular basis the more you need to feel drunk.

But also I would say different strokes for different folks because people have different tolerances.

If your alert I would say you may need a few to get tipsy, but if your tired maybe only one.

But obviously the safe level would be one that still allows you drive a car.

But I wonder what you would consider a safe level, and have you got drunk but still been sober.

I remember jockey Wilson a darts player, nick named 7 bellies he could drink 20 pints but still win a darts world championship
 
K

Kroogz

Well-known member
#11
Dec 5, 2023
864
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63
#11
mekajen said:
Hi. I was wondering how much wine is not too much? The following from the Bible indicates that it’s ok to have some:
Psalm 104:15 "... wine that makes glad the heart of man... "
1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

And of course some verses say that it’s a sin to drink much:
Ephesians 5:18 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

So, if it’s to make your heart glad that means that in my case I would need maybe three glasses of wine. I am around 140kg, 42 years old with a biggish build.

But the question remains how often? I would say not more than once a week. I have had more than once a week lately and hopefully, I pull up and cut back. I write this because I like a bit of wine, I only drink red wine and no other alcoholic drink.
Now the above verses mention wine, not whisky, bear, etc. So does that mean we should only drink wine? I think so since strong alcoholic drinks like vodka for instance are a bit too strong and therefore too easy to have too much.

Anyway, I am very much interested in others' understanding.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Lot's of good advice so far. I am an alchoholic so I don't touch it. I could never stop at just one or two. And drank a six pack or better every night. My wife still has the occasional glass of wine or a "girly'' drink.

I believe it's different for everybody. If one is questioning," Am I drinking too much?" One probably is. From my perspective, I say don't touch it. But many people can handle it.

Yet, I have always been a fitness guy, and have no problem with watching my weight and eating properly. And I see the fella next to me eating a dozen doughnut's and obese.........And I get it. We all have those "tough spots" in our lives.
 
Westward

Westward

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#13
Oct 21, 2022
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#13
SomeDisciple said:
I don't know how you guys can drink red wine. It doesn't make me feel so fine- that song is a lie; it just instantly gave me a headache the last time I had some. I didn't even have that much and it was like BOOM instant hangover- but worse than that. I think I would rather get hit by a car than drink that stuff.
Click to expand...
Not sure if you're drinking the stuff with a screw cap rather than a cork but I don't have that reaction. I can have two generous portion glasses and feel just fine just don't have it on empty stomach but with salmon or a nice big steak yum
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

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#15
Dec 15, 2018
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#15
well the Bible says 'a little wine'

so, maybe those thimble size glasses they have at church?

Otherwise, one glass or half seems like enough. Dont drink the whole bottle. leave some for others. I guess in the olden days when it was corked and you couldnt reseal it you had to drink the whole thing or it would go off.

I suppose some people might ask how much food is enough. I know some people who just keep on eating and eating and then complain when they get sick and overweight. ?!
 
GRACE_ambassador

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
#17
Feb 22, 2021
3,242
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Midwest
#17
op: How much wine is not too much?
Pertinent question one could ask is:

If 5 glasses makes one drunk, then would one glass make
one 1/5 drunk? Is that good, in God's Eyes [ or His Will? ]?

Relatively speaking then, is it:

1) the [ New ] unfermented "fruit of the vine" [ can "too much"
make one "sick" or even drunk? ]

Did Noah "drink too much"?:

"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a​
vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and​
he was uncovered within his tent." (Genesis 9:20-21)​
​
New fresh wine?,
​
Or:

2) is this what God Calls:

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever​
is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)​
+
Isn't this the old fermented variety?:

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions?​
who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who​
hath redness of eyes?​
​
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.​
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his​
colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth​
like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." (Proverbs 23:29-32)​
​
Surely, all of us do not want "too much" [ or any of what is unwise? ] and,
also wish to obey, Correct?:

"...be ye not unwise, but understanding what The Will of​
The Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;​
but be filled with The Spirit" (Ephesians 5:17-18)​

Just my own 2 pennies...

Amen.
 
NightTwister

NightTwister

Well-known member
#19
Jul 5, 2023
2,120
805
113
65
Colorado, USA
#19
GRACE_ambassador said:
op: How much wine is not too much?
Pertinent question one could ask is:

If 5 glasses makes one drunk, then would one glass make
one 1/5 drunk? Is that good, in God's Eyes [ or His Will? ]?

Relatively speaking then, is it:

1) the [ New ] unfermented "fruit of the vine" [ can "too much"
make one "sick" or even drunk? ]

Did Noah "drink too much"?:

"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a​
vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and​
he was uncovered within his tent." (Genesis 9:20-21)​
​
New fresh wine?,
​
Or:

2) is this what God Calls:

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever​
is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)​
+
Isn't this the old fermented variety?:

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions?​
who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who​
hath redness of eyes?​
​
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.​
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his​
colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth​
like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." (Proverbs 23:29-32)​
​
Surely, all of us do not want "too much" [ or any of what is unwise? ] and,
also wish to obey, Correct?:

"...be ye not unwise, but understanding what The Will of​
The Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;​
but be filled with The Spirit" (Ephesians 5:17-18)​

Just my own 2 pennies...

Amen.
Click to expand...
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Psalm 104:14-15
 
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