What Does The Bible Say About Alcohol?
The Hebrew Bible first mentions alcohol when Noah established a vineyard and got drunk. In the New Testament, during the wedding at Cana, Jesus used a miracle to produce an abundance of wine (John 2). The most often mentioned alcoholic beverage in biblical literature is wine, which is also heavily symbolic and had a significant role in daily life during the time of the Bible.
Scripture also mentions beer and wines manufactured from fruits other than grapes, which were consumed by the people of ancient Israel. However, compared to modern alcoholic beverages, historical alcoholic beverages had a far lower alcohol level due to the constraints of fermentation and the lack of distillation techniques in the ancient world. Rabbinic teachers forbade undiluted wine and outlined acceptability standards for the consumption of historical alcoholic beverages only if they had been significantly diluted with water.
Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?
Are Christians allowed to drink? Generally, the answer is yes. It is not a sin to drink alcohol, despite what many Christians have been taught from childhood. There is nowhere in the Bible where moderate alcohol consumption is condemned or forbidden. Moderate alcohol consumption is not just portrayed in the Bible as neutral but as a blessing.
Apart from the numerous benefits that God bestows on earth, the Psalmist states that the Lord also provides "wine to gladden the heart of man" (Psalm 104:15). While having dinner together, friends may decide to improve the occasion by sharing drinks. Drinking alcohol can promote contentment, joy, and relaxation. All of them are gifts from God (also see Isaiah 55:1-3, Amos 9:14, and Ecclesiastes 9:7).
There are medical uses for alcohol as well. “Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.” (Proverbs 31:61, 1 Tim. 5:23). While we utilize more powerful drugs now, in the past, people found pain alleviation with wine. This is also a gift from God.
Lastly, the Lord said that wine will be served at our feast with God Himself in the New Heavens and New Earth. “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.” (Isaiah 25:6). In heaven, the Lord will have a drink with each of us.
Did Jesus Drink Wine?
During his ministry, Jesus spent a lot of time with wine, whether it was at feasts, weddings, or the Passover celebration the evening before he died. In all of these stories, Jesus never criticizes anyone for consuming wine or alcohol, even though there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
We can examine two verses that suggest Jesus drank alcohol as well. Jesus drank wine when he first established the new covenant, by having a cup with the twelve apostles in Matthew 26:27–29. He gave the wine a blessing and told the men to sip from it. Then, in an intriguing declaration, Jesus says, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
This fruit of the vine is wine in the Bible. It is implied that although he had previously drunk alcohol, he would not do so until the kingdom was realized. He makes this claim without mentioning alcohol in any way, whether it be beneficial or detrimental. It's about launching a New Covenant and celebrating. Wine represents both blood and the parallel of marriage that Jesus mentioned during the Last Supper.
Is Getting Drunk a Sin?
In Christianity, getting drunk is generally considered sinful because it impairs self-control and can lead to reckless behavior, which is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Verses like Ephesians 5:18 warn against drunkenness, emphasizing that Christians should be filled with the Spirit rather than indulging in excessive alcohol consumption.
The emphasis is on moderation and avoiding behaviors that lead to harm or hinder a person's spiritual and moral integrity. However, drinking in moderation is not necessarily considered sinful in many Christian traditions.
Galatians 5:21 lists behaviors that are considered sinful and warns that those who engage in such actions will not inherit the kingdom of God. Among the behaviors mentioned are envy, drunkenness, orgies, and other acts of a similar nature. This verse is part of a larger passage that contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit," encouraging Christians to live by the Spirit rather than indulging in sinful behaviors.
Current Perspectives in the Christian Community
Here is what some Reddit users had to say in the subreddit r/Christianity when asked “Is being drunk a sin?”:
@4freedom7: “It does not matter what our opinon says, what does the Word of God say?
Ephesians 5:18
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit"
Galatians 5:21
"envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
That should answer your question”
@MrsRabbit2019: “Jesus turned the water into wine to save the bridal family from embarrassment, and because His mother asked Him to. He did not do it for the guests to get drunk.”
@Prudent_Zucchini_935: “‘Be ye therefor sober and watchful, that your enemies may not overpower you’.
Generally speaking, a lot of people are addicted to alcohol and it causes so much suffering for the alcoholic and those that love them. Not to mention the mortality rate.
I would imagine our loving Heavenly Father wants his children to feel peace and joy, neither of those things are possible if one is addicted.”
Bible Verses About Drinking Alcohol
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Proverbs 23:20-21: "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags."
This passage warns against excessive drinking and indulgence, associating it with poverty and a lack of self-discipline. It encourages moderation and the avoidance of behaviors that lead to negative consequences.
Proverbs 20:1: "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise."
This proverb highlights the dangers of alcohol, warning that those who allow themselves to be controlled by it are acting unwisely.
1 Timothy 5:23: "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses."
Here, Paul advises Timothy to drink a little wine for medicinal purposes, showing that moderate, responsible consumption is not condemned in all circumstances.
Do Jehovah's Witnesses Drink Alcohol?
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that drinking alcohol is inherently wrong. They permit moderate alcohol consumption but strongly oppose drunkenness and overindulgence, which they consider sinful based on biblical teachings.
They also recognize that there are certain times when even moderate drinking may be inappropriate, such as when it could lead to harmful consequences or interfere with one's responsibilities. Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize self-control and making wise decisions regarding alcohol consumption, in alignment with Bible principles.
However, Jehovah’s Witnesses have several other restrictions based on their religious beliefs, such as:
- No Celebrating Certain Holidays: They do not celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or other holidays they believe have pagan origins.
- No Participation in Politics: Jehovah's Witnesses remain neutral in political matters and do not vote, hold political office, or salute flags.
- No Blood Transfusions: They refuse blood transfusions, citing biblical commands to abstain from blood.
- No Military Service: Jehovah's Witnesses do not serve in the military due to their belief in pacifism.
What Is Debauchery in the Bible?
The regular, unrestricted indulgence in passion and sensuality is known as debauchery. Scripture uses the word "debauchery" to refer to what we would now refer to as "partying" in a number of instances. It includes a number of signs of living an unholy life, such as immoral sexual activity, intoxication, obscene speech, and generally acting out of control.
All that God detests is included in debauchery (Romans 1:18), and it ultimately results in ruin (Galatians 6:8). A Christian is a person who has made the decision to follow Christ, deny oneself, and pick up his cross every day (Luke 9:23). Because they are irreconcilable, a carnal existence and a spiritual living cannot coexist.
What Does The Bible Say About Partying?
1 Peter 4:3: "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry."
This verse warns against engaging in sinful behaviors often associated with excessive partying, encouraging believers to leave behind their past indulgences.
Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity... drunkenness, orgies, and the like."
Paul lists behaviors that lead away from the kingdom of God, including partying that leads to immoral actions.
Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
This verse contrasts drunkenness and spiritual fulfillment, highlighting that excessive partying can distract from a faithful life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drinking in the Bible is not forbidden. Scripture encourages moderation and warns against the dangers of excessive drinking.
Scriptures emphasize the importance of self-control and responsibility, cautioning that drunkenness can lead to harmful consequences both spiritually and physically. While alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation, Christians are called to exercise wisdom in their decisions, ensuring that their actions honor God and reflect their faith.
