Coffee in the Bible
The talk about coffee in the Bible is sparse, with much of it limited to the phrase “coffee is wrong”. The general attitude of the Bible toward coffee is that it is an unhealthy habit that should be avoided by those of faith. Coffee has been around for centuries, and its use has risen steadily over the last two decades. As coffee continues to be a popular beverage among Christians, it is important to consider what the Bible says about drinking coffee.
Attitude towards Coffee
When it comes to coffee, the Bible doesn’t come out and definitively say that it’s bad for you. Rather, it speaks to our attitude and what it says about us as believers. For instance, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This verse speaks to our attitude. We should avoid anything that would distract us from glorifying God. Thus, while there is nothing wrong with drinking coffee, we should evaluate our reasons for drinking it and make sure they are aligned with glorifying God.
Balance and Moderation
The Bible often speaks of balance and moderation–avoiding anything that would become an addiction and consume our earthly desires. For example, Proverbs 25:16 says, “If you find honey, eat just enough, lest you have too much and vomit it.” This speaks of the importance of moderation. If we crave coffee or rely on it for energy and for comfort, it is probably out of balance in our lives.
“Coffee Rebellion”
In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a “coffee rebellion.” Churchgoers were known to drink coffee during church services and the church leadership of the time were against it. They believed it was disrupting the worship service and disrespecting the church environment. This is an example of how coffee can negatively impact our time spent with God and the church atmosphere.
Instant Coffee
As technology improves, instant coffee has become popular with Millennials. We’ve become accustomed to having everything right away and the ease of instant coffee seems to fit perfectly. The quick rise of the instant coffee industry has led to many looking to the Bible to see if this type of coffee is wrong. While the Bible does not directly mention it, we should use our own judgement and consider using instant coffee sparingly.
Bible Verse about Drinking Coffee
The Bible does not come out and definitively say that coffee is wrong. However, there is a verse from Proverbs 20:1 that may be relevant to the discussion: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” This verse speaks to the idea of being led astray. While the verse does not specifically mention coffee, we can look to it for guidance about drinking coffee.
Health Concerns
Another thing to consider is the health impacts of drinking coffee. While coffee can provide a much-needed boost of energy, it can also cause jitteriness, headaches, and dehydration. There are some health benefits to coffee, such as its antioxidants, but it should be consumed in moderation. We should look to the Bible’s verses surrounding balance and moderation when considering if coffee is okay to drink.
Coffee and its Impact on Faith
The Bible does not outwardly condemn drinking coffee, but it does give us guidance about our attitudes and how to keep our faith in check. It speaks to moderation, balance, and the idea of not becoming enslaved to anything–including coffee. We should consider this when making our own decisions about coffee.
People Relying on Coffee
People rely on coffee in a variety of ways. Some of us need coffee to start our day or to keep up with our work and responsibilities. However, it is important to break the habit of looking to our morning cup of coffee in order to be productive and energized throughout the day. We should fill our minds with the Word of God, and focus on Him for our strength and energy.
Mindful Consumption
We should be mindful of our consumption of caffeine in the form of coffee or other energy drinks. If we feel like we are relying on it too much or that it is taking away from our relationship with God, we should pause and re-evaluate. Additionally, it is important to remember that coffee is not a “sin” and that drinking it does not necessarily make us a bad person. It is up to us to decide if it is appropriate for our lives and also how much is too much.
Caffeine and Spiritual Discipline
For those who choose to consume caffeine, it is important to be mindful of the amount we drink and what our motivations are. We should look to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, and scripture-reading to give us strength. Coffee can certainly be enjoyable in moderation, but it should not come at the expense of our spiritual growth.
Using Coffee to Help Others
There is nothing wrong with using coffee to help us, or to help others in our communities. For example, many churches use coffee to reach out and build relationships with those in their community. This is a great way to share your faith and to spread the love of Christ. Additionally, we can use coffee as a tool to minister to and encourage those around us.
Children and Coffee
It is important to think about our influence, especially on the children in our lives. For example, if children see us drinking coffee, it can normalize the behavior for them and make it more acceptable. We should take this into consideration when deciding whether or not to drink coffee.
Impact on Personal Health
It is important to consider how our choices are impacting our personal health. Too much caffeine can have negative health consequences, such as nervousness, insomnia, headaches, and upset stomach. We should factor this into our decision-making process when it comes to coffee.
Mental and Emotional Health
Finally, our mental and emotional health should be taken into consideration when deciding if coffee is right for us. For some people, caffeine can boost their mental and emotional health–but for others, it may suppress it. Pay attention to how coffee is making you feel and decide if it is making a positive or negative impact.
