I agree brother fellowservant. Like anything else, there are somethings that need moderation (alcohol, food, even exercising) while others need to be refrained of for good (drugs).

If a man witnesses a nude woman at the beach but does not lust, is he automatically "defiled"? Absolutely not! Its the output of his heart, which is his will and motives that can defile him.

If a man inhaled second hand smoke somewhere in public, is he automatically defiled? No. Of course, its not healthy but he is not defiled. If he purposely smokes cigarettes for example, then he has defiled himself.

1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

Also read that passage above in its context, Paul is talking about our works. Therefore we can defile the temple by our works, Wine is not mentioned.

God bless

Let me get this judgement thing about food and drink out in the open, read the scriptures concerning this below, or you will be judgeing men unfairly and realy defileing the temple by your works.

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:11 For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 [It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

Now read this and try to understand it, or you will become a judge of your brother, or a stumbling block to your brother. Both are sin...

God bless

I would not DARE to say that Christ defiled himself
please don't insinuate that I would that's an impossiblity.
I am only quoting Proverb 20 V1 not my words, God's.

He is the Lord of Lord's and the King of King's, can do no wrong
is perfect, spotless, sinless, He cannot make a mistake.

'Wine is a mocker, but not if its is drank responsibly' to quote your post.
now you are making up your own interpretation here for this proverb.
does it really say 'but not if it's drank responsibly'?
No, I don't read that in the word of God.

Know what, we'll just agree to disagree here.
think that'd be best.

We each have a personal relationship with Jesus our Lord, and it is not
for one to tell another who does what and what you don't do.

What's right for one person may not be for another and no-one
can say differant.

The Holy Spirit will keep each of us in check, and on the narrow path.
If we listen to him we cannot go wrong.
I have no problem with anyone if they want to drink,
that's their choice, I choose not to, that's my choice.

The scripture Fellow Servant quoted refers only to unclean food (ritual uncleanliness). Jesus was showing them the difference between ritual uncleanliness and spiritual uncleanliness; that food and drink by themselves cannot make one spiritually unclean. (See Mk 7:18-23)

SLE

I think this like allot of thing we face as Christians, it all boils down to " If your eye makes you sin pluck it out". So if you know that if you drink it makes you act foolish, sin, and do things unbecoming as a christian don't drink. I know allot people think that Jesus drank wine at the last supper and all but I strongly doubt it. I do not think that God on earth would ingest something that would alter his state of mind, I believe it to be new wine.
Thanks for the scripture references, you definitely do a great research when you make a point Chad.
Jared

Know what, it's between me and God,
same as it's between you and God.

He is the judge over all, and when he comes back
that's just who he's coming back as.

So what we do is our OWN responsiblity,
we will answer for it ourselves.

As for me I will listen to the Holy Spirit at all times, then I
can't go wrong. His prompting is always on time.

I have to say I think what Jared says about Jesus and wine
rings true to me also.

Romans 14 V 17
For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Maureen: Do you use a study Bible? If not, I suggest you get one and make use of the study notes.

Where Proverbs 20:1 is concerned, the study notes for that verse in my Bible say that the verse refers only to those who overindulge; who drink to excess. It has nothing to do with moderate consumption.

SLE

I'm in agreement with brother SLE. A study bible is more useful and leaves us with proper resources guided by the Holy Spirit, instead of assuming or guessing what Scripture *might* be telling us. Somethings are easy to understand, while other passages require more in depth studying.

Originally Posted by SpiritLedEd

Maureen: Do you use a study Bible? If not, I suggest you get one and make use of the study notes.

Where Proverbs 20:1 is concerned, the study notes for that verse in my Bible say that the verse refers only to those who overindulge; who drink to excess. It has nothing to do with moderate consumption.

SLE

I'm in agreement with brother SLE. A study bible is more useful and leaves us with proper resources guided by the Holy Spirit, instead of assuming or guessing what Scripture *might* be telling us. Somethings are easy to understand, while other passages require more in depth studying.(Chad)

With all due respect brothers, Maureen is correct in listening to the Holy Spirit who abides within her. Chad, Maureen did say she is listening to the Holy Spirit, not assuming what Scripture *might* say.

As for me I will listen to the Holy Spirit at all times, then I can't go wrong. His prompting is always on time. (Maureen)

Maureen, a word of encouragement for you - keep on listening to the Holy Spirit within you. He will guide you in all things. John 14:16, 17 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."