A Little Wine for Thy Stomach’s Sake - 1 Timothy 5:23
Introductory Thoughts
Many carnal believers quoting 1 Timothy 5:23 have attempted to justify their unscriptural use of alcohol. Yet, a careful look at the scriptures proves that they wrest (or twist) the scripture to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). From the passage, we understand that Timothy was plagued by some chronic health problems. Paul specifically mentioned stomach problems, but there were other infirmities that beset him as well. Drinking water was not curing Timothy’s ailments, so Paul, perhaps with doctor Luke’s guidance and recommendation, suggested “a little wine” for Timothy’s often infirmities. What purpose did the wine serve? It was strictly medicinal and not social or pleasurable. In other words, Paul said that Timothy needed some medicine to facilitate his recovery. Paul was not offering Timothy or us an excuse to drink but a prescription of medicine for recovery from debilitating ailments.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): God gave doctors and medicine to help us (Matthew 9:12; Proverbs 17:22a). He also said not to do anything that even looks evil because you might cause others to justify their sin (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 14:21). Timothy was to take a little wine. Thus God was not approving strong drink.
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(For everyone): Why do carnal people seek to twist the scripture to make it say what they want it to say? How does God feel when people mess with His word attempting to justify their sin and failings?
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If a believer is sick, he should take medicine. How could the purchase of any kind of alcoholic beverage hurt your testimony? How could the Devil use alcohol to hurt your witness to the lost?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to help you trust His word as it is written.
- Ask God to give you the wisdom to guard your testimony.
Song
TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
