What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for
a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?
Question: "What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is
it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?"
Answer: Scripture has much to say regarding the drinking of alcohol
(Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14;
Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12).
However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from
drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact,
some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7
instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15
states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos
9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s
blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…”
What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness
(Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects
(Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their
bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter
2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture
also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other
Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1
Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be
extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol in
excess to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on
occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the
water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was
often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants.
The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result,
people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less
likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing
Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his
stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was
fermented (containing alcohol), but not necessarily to the degree it
is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is
also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly
used today. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking
beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in
and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to
alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18;
1 Corinthians 6:12).
Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor
addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of
red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart.
Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian
freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the
biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy
temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of
causing offense and/or stumbling of others, it is usually best for a
Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol.
Recommended Resource: God Is for the Alcoholic by Bernard Palmer.
http://www.gotquestions.org/sin-alcohol.html