Abstinence(total abstinence)
Summary
Self-discipline involving the voluntary renunciation of certain pleasures, particularly food (fasting) and intoxicating drinks, as an expression of spiritual devotion.
☩From Intoxicating Beverages
Various forms of abstinence from alcohol appear in Scripture. Priests were forbidden to drink wine or strong drink when entering the tabernacle. The Nazirite vow required total abstinence from wine, strong drink, vinegar, grape juice, grapes, and raisins throughout the period of separation. The Rechabites maintained a family tradition of lifelong abstinence from wine as commanded by their ancestor Jonadab, and their faithfulness was commended by God through Jeremiah.
☩Biblical Examples
Several notable individuals practiced abstinence: Samson as a Nazirite from birth; Daniel and his companions who refused the king's wine; John the Baptist who drank neither wine nor strong drink; and the Rechabites who maintained their ancestral prohibition for generations. Jesus sanctioned fasting as a genuine expression of devotion but never formally enjoined it, teaching instead that when one fasts, it should be done privately before God rather than publicly before men.
Related Verses19 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Total Abstinence," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Abstinence," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).