Wine in Scripture

Wine has a deep-rooted history in sacred texts. It’s mentioned throughout the Torah, the books of the Prophets, and even in Yeshua’s teachings. In the Parable of the Vineyard, found in Matthew and Mark, Yeshua speaks of a wine press. He draws a vivid connection between the process of making wine and the spiritual journey of life.

Modern Wine Press

Understanding the Wine Press

A wine press today might look more high-tech than in Yeshua’s time, but the concept remains the same. Grapes are subjected to pressure to extract their sweet juice. But there’s an art to it. If you apply too much pressure, the seeds will be crushed. This releases bitter tannins into the juice. This not only ruins the flavor but also makes it unsuitable for producing quality wine.

Life’s Wine Press: Sweetness or Bitterness?

In many ways, life acts as a wine press. We all face pressures and tribulations. Though not the great tribulation spoken of in Revelation and the Torah, everyday struggles test our patience. These moments squeeze us, releasing what’s inside.

Take, for example, a personal moment. I recently tried to calmly help my mother-in-law with a problem at the dinner table. I was unexpectedly met with, “JUST SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!” While she later apologized, it left a bitter taste—much like tannins in poorly pressed wine. It’s a reminder that while we can forgive, the damage done can linger, affecting the flavor of our emotional “wine.”

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Forgiveness is vital, but it doesn’t mean we should tolerate ongoing abuse. As someone who has survived emotional, verbal, sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, I’ve learned that honoring YHVH means valuing ourselves as His creation. Continuing to endure mistreatment dishonors that image.

The Lasting Impact of Bitterness

An apology can help, but it doesn’t erase the hurt. Think of it like a crumpled piece of paper—it may be smoothed out, but the creases remain. Once the bitterness seeps into our emotional wine, it’s hard to extract. Rebuilding trust is like crafting fine wine—it takes time, care, and intention.

Turning Bitter Wine Sweet

We’ve all lashed out at others, sometimes unfairly, letting our own frustrations spill over. But Yeshua taught us to love our brothers and sisters. Shouldn’t we strive to pour out sweetness rather than bitterness?

Reflecting Through Scripture

Let’s take a moment to explore scriptures that guide us on how to handle life’s pressures. They ensure that, when pressed, we release sweetness instead of releasing bitterness. After all, isn’t that the kind of wine we all want to offer the world?

Yeshua said in Matthew 15:11 that it is not what goes into the body that defiles a person. Instead, what comes out of that person is what defiles that person. He then goes on to say:

Matthew 15:17  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV)

Let’s look at a few more scriptures that addresses this.

• Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (KJV)
• Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (KJV)
• Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (KJV)
• Proverbs 24: 12 If thou sayest, “Behold, we knew it not;” doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? (KJV)
• Luke 6: 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (KJV)
• Proverbs 21: 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. (KJV)

When others jostle and press you, what spills out? Do you lash out in frustration, or do you pour out the sweet juice of YHVH’s grace? When someone questions you, do you hurl verbal stones, or do you patiently answer their questions and help them find the resources they need?

Yeshua said in Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

What’s Flowing From Your Wine Press?

Words carry as much power as actions. Scripture shows us that both reveal what truly lives in our hearts. Just like a wine press reveals the juice hidden inside grapes, life’s pressures expose what’s stored within us. Press a grape, and you won’t get strawberry jam—you’ll get grape juice, sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter.

The Heart Test: What’s Your Flavor?

When life jostles and presses you, what spills out? Do you pour out sweetness, or does bitterness flow freely? The truth is simple—you can’t release what isn’t already inside. If frustration and anger pour out when you’re stressed, it’s a sign of what’s been brewing in your heart. Constantly complaining or walking around in a cloud of negativity? That bitterness will seep into everything, just like sour juice from an over-pressed grape.

Your Call to Action: Check Your Juice!

It’s time for some self-reflection. Picture your heart as a grape in the wine press of life. When the pressure mounts, what kind of juice comes out—sweet and nourishing, or bitter and unpalatable? The choice is yours. Start cultivating gratitude, grace, and kindness in your heart so that when life presses you, something beautiful flows out.

Don’t let life’s wine press turn you sour. Fill your heart with goodness today—and when you get pressed, you’ll pour out sweetness.

Next Steps

Start Small, Grow Strong: How Atomic Habits Builds Emotional Resilience

Atomic Habits by James Clear offers a practical roadmap. It helps in building emotional resilience. The book fosters personal growth through small, consistent changes. The book emphasizes how tiny shifts in daily habits can compound over time. These shifts help you develop healthier coping mechanisms. They build a stronger mindset to handle life’s pressures. Atomic Habits focuses on identity-based habits and the power of incremental improvement. This focus makes the process of emotional growth approachable. It also makes it sustainable. It’s perfect for anyone looking to turn life’s “bitter wine” into something sweeter. #affiliatelink

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out more inspiring posts and delicious recipes on my site! There’s plenty more to explore to nourish both your mind and your taste buds.

Health Benefits of the Daniel Fast: A Biblical Diet Explained

Beet and Bean Burger(Opens in a new browser tab)

Yeshua: Not Abolishing the Law but Magnifying It

Friction in Relationships: Biblical Perspectives

Heart Knowledge of God vs. Head Knowledge Explained