Numbers 6:3 –
they must give up wine and other alcoholic drinks. They must not use vinegar made from wine or from other alcoholic drinks, they must not drink fresh grape juice, and they must not eat grapes or raisins.
This is to the Jews who take the vow of a Nazirite. This vow is for the person to focus on the Lord for a season. During this time they will drink no wine, not cut their hair and avoid the dead. Not really sure the reason or purpose of this vow other than it is an outward symbolic gesture of your devotion to God. Much of the significance of this vow is lost in today’s culture mainly since long hair has been a fashion for decades.
First we must look at the significance of the vow and what each meant. At the time long hair was an indication of shame and therefore symbolized one’s shame towards God. The wine was so one did not lose focus in earthly pleasures. Avoiding the dead was to separate oneself from death and a reminder of the cost of sin. So each requirement was a reminder to set oneself aside for God.
Now one may argue that Luke 9:23-27 give the disciples the same charge to set themselves apart like the people who took the vow of a Nazirite. Although today the focus tends to just be avoiding alcohol to the point that drinking, by many Christians, is considered a sin. And the ones who don’t think it’s a sin believe Luke 9:23 means they must “deny themselves” of drinking and other “worldly” pleasures. Honestly, for one who wants to truly set themselves apart and become a leader this may be acceptable, but not a “standard” by which all Christians must follow.
I think much of this “thought” process as a standard spread across the entire body of Christ helps separate us from God. Why? God gave us pleasures to enjoy the life He gave us! When did satin ever give us joy? The reason pleasure becomes “sin” is when we move our focus to more pleasure and less God. As you grow as a Christian, don’t get sucked into the theologies of denying oneself of all pleasures! God gave us life to live it to the full. It’s not alcohol but the love of alcohol … it’s not sex, but the love of sex … it’s not money, but the love of money … that separates us from God. It’s when that love becomes all consuming and that desire passes all forms of logic or reason. Your quest for the “love” is never satisfied and therefore causes a snowball effect in this focus to the point all attention is placed on that. So keep your pleasures in balance, God gave them for us to enjoy not abuse!