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
often best for a Christian to abstain from drinking alcohol.
Recommended Resources: The
Quest Study Bible and Logos
Bible Software.
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