The Bible on Alcohol
Many people have stumbled over the issue of drinking alcohol. Non-believers are often turned off by the legalistic approach of many Christians; those who claim that consuming alcohol is incompatible with a life lived for God. Indeed, many professing Christians are more passionate about dissuading people from drinking, than about sharing the message of salvation with them!
In the United States, drinking alcohol is a chosen luxury. Here we mostly have ample supplies of water and other types of drinks for us to consume. In many other places around the world, these options do not exist. We need to see exactly what the Word of God says about this subject, as our final authority (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Great deception has crept into the church of Jesus Christ in these last days (see Matthew 24), and many doctrines are being adhered to which are actually the commandments of men (Matthew 15:8-9).
One amazing difference you will find is in how Protestants and Catholics regard drinking alcohol. For the Protestant; it is a nearly complete abstaining from it. Many Catholics, however, are very liberal drinkers. We must remember, of course, that Catholicism is not Biblical Christianity. The Bible is a true believers final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Catholic relies on the traditions and magisterium of their church for authority. In every doctrine, the Catholic Church contradicts the teachings of God’s Holy Word; and places itself above it. It is important that true followers of Christ be perfected in the area of drinking alcohol—and for that we need the pure Word of God; without additions, subtractions, or alterations.
Before weighing in with all the scriptural directives, I’d like to share from my own testimony. Many of you will have read this before—I ask for your patience. This was a significant growth event in my spiritual walk with Christ.
After rededicating my life to the Lord Jesus, drinking (alcohol) was a left-over area of the worldliness I had yielded to. Though my scriptural knowledge was just beginning, I knew that the Bible does not forbid drinking altogether. Armed with this security, I clung steadfastly to my “right to drink” as a Christian.
This is a trap into which many fall, though not always about drinking. First, spiritual infants often look only at scriptures which directly address their specific issue of interest. By doing this, many passages which still relate to the issue are altogether ignored. This is “straining at a gnat, and swallowing a camel.”—Matthew 23:24. Secondly, they fail to look more deeply than the physical. Not all statutes of God are of equal importance (Matthew 23:23), and some sins are worse than others—but are still sins. Thirdly, we need to please God in all of our actions. Direct commands should be obeyed; but even if a thing is not specifically spoken through the Word, we usually can know if it is pleasing to our Lord or not (I John 3:22).
So finally, the issue of drinking—for myself, as a believer, was about to be addressed (1998). At the time, I considered myself to be a “social” drinker. I no longer kept beer at home, but instead went to a bar about 3 times a week. I worked with a friend until 10 p.m., then we would go to the nearby bar afterword.
In general, I consumed 3 beers per evening. While I knew it to be permissible to drink, I also knew that drunkenness was sinful. But yes, occasionally I had more than the 3 beer allotment—and at times my senses were noticeably impaired by it. I was trying to walk a fine line on the edge of sin! This is not where a believer should be living.
The Holy Spirit began convicting me greatly about this behavior. It was hard facing such a challenge—to deny myself in what had been so long indulged and justified (Luke 16:15). Our Heavenly Father may be patient, merciful, and faithful—but He does not condone when His children are walking after the flesh, and in sin (Romans 8:8).
The pinnacle of my conviction came one Friday Night. My work friend had invited me out to the bar, as a part of welcoming his sister home for a visit; and I had agreed. But when that night arrived, I really was very tired. Yet I had given my commitment, so I went.
During the evening’s revellings (parties—Galatians 5:21), a “regular” couple of bar patrons came to the forefront. They were husband and wife, and it was the wife’s birthday. As a present, the husband surprised her by hiring a male stripper to perform that night at the bar! My spirit was incredibly grieved. I could hear the Lord saying, “What are you doing here? You are fellowshipping with those who hate me—you should not be here.”
It was on this night that I accepted the conviction of the Lord’s leading; yet still I could not obey. My “bar friend” considered believers to be “snobs”, and I didn’t want to feed that perception. He was also a devout bachelor, and I was his one constant friend to hang around with. Also, at times I took care of his dog if he went away—who would be there to help? Since much of our acquaintance was built around drinking, I knew that taking a stand would certainly end our friendship…
So I took this sure conviction to the Lord in prayer. Thankfully, God has taught me to run to Him, rather than away, when I have a hard time obeying. I told the Lord outright, “I know what you want me to do—but I can’t. If you want this to happen, you’re going to need to help me.”
Within two months, the dog I sometimes watched had died (old age); and a good “hang around” friend of his had moved back to the area! My reasons for retaining the friendship with him had been removed! I could hear the Lord saying, “I heard you—and now I have done my part.” There is always, for the believer, the responsibility to step out and obey God. The Lord will be strong in our weaknesses, but we must take actions of obedience. So yes, it was my turn! Though still uncomfortable, I was greatly encouraged by God’s faithfulness—a short time later I spoke with my friend regarding my convictions, and our relationship came to a close (but not with hostility).
It is interesting to note that when the Lord at first gave me conviction, that it was not about drinking. Instead it was about the evil associations which accompanied drinking. Perhaps it’s because I was too proud of what I saw as my “Biblical right to drink.” The Lord took an avenue to get through to me, about which only He could know!
My last drink, at the bar or otherwise, took place on the U.S. holiday of Labor Day (early September), 1998. One month later I officially gave up drinking altogether. When I took the step of faith to “come out and be separate,” my eyes began to see many other scriptures which cast drinking in a very negative light. It made me consider my outer witness—and know that I was wrong to see how close to the world I could dabble.
In fact, God’s Word goes to great lengths to discourage alcohol consumption; but it clearly does not forbid it altogether. In light of how badly scripture paints alcoholic drinks, why allow it at all? I believe it is because the Lord knows that sometimes in some places, that is all that will be available—so then it will be allowable to proceed to drink; within obedience to God’s Word.
The main scripture which speaks favorably toward drink is I Timothy 5:23.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. I Timothy 5:23
You will note here perhaps an advising toward healthful drinking. Researchers today have agreed that 2 glasses of wine per day seem to have good health benefits. This would be a maximum daily amount of about 8-10 ounces of wine; and advised to drink with food. Of course God would have known about this, long before researchers “discovered” it.
Some who oppose alcohol argue that since we now have medicines available, we should disregard this verse. Yet that would be diminishing from God’s Word, and most irreverent. It is for our best benefit to live by every word which God has preserved for us. Those who use men’s wisdom to rationalize away God’s teachings are spiritually blind; they risk blaspheming the Holy Ghost, which brought us God’s Word.
The first miracle performed by Jesus was the turning of water into wine; found in John 2:1-11. Some have used this to support drinking habits. But hardliners against alcohol sometimes claim that the wine created here was merely fresh juice; that it had not yet fermented and become alcoholic.
Most of us realize that alcoholic wine comes from the fresh juice of fruit. When it ages, it enters into a “fermentation” process that makes it become alcoholic. We have an abundance of juices to choose from which have been packaged freshly, and not allowed to ferment prior to sale. The Bible refers to wine dozens of times, but does not designate whether the wine is fermented or otherwise. Although when one reads about being “drunk with wine,” it is safe to assume that the drink referred to is well-fermented! No matter the case, we must not alter God’s Words in attempts to justify doctrines we live by.
Before looking more deeply into scripture, we need to accept that wine is a common drink for many throughout the world. Though there will always be some that drink to be drunk (on purpose or accidentally), to many it is simply the beverage that they have to drink. The need is legitimate, and that use of wine is legitimate.
The Word of God has much to say about drinking and drunkenness, and pointed admonitions for the church. Drunkenness is a sin; with far-reaching consequences, both now and eternally. To anyone who drinks alcohol this warning is even more serious—for only those who consume alcohol have any chance of being drunk. It happened to me. All my noble intentions could not prevent me from failing at times.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
Let’s look at the testimony of scripture concerning drinking.
Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 29:6
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. Hosea 4:11
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:34
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18
Please read the following scriptures. You will find within them negative views of drunkenness, and how it contributes to calamity. These accounts should be sufficient in warning from God’ viewpoint. Genesis 9:21, 19:32-36; Deuteronomy 29:18-20; I Samuel 1:14, 25:36; I Kings 16:9-10, 20:16-20; Proverbs 21:17, 23:29-32; Isaiah 28:7, 56:11,12; Jeremiah 35:6-10,18-19 (commended for not drinking), 48:25-26; Lamentations 4:21; Ezekiel 23:33, Daniel 5:23; Hosea 7:5; Joel 1:5; Nahum 1:10; Habakkuk 2:5,15; Matthew 24:49; Luke 12:45; Acts 2:13-15; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21
There is yet more concerning drinking, as it pertains to church both church members and leaders. Leviticus 10:6-10 instructs the priests (church leaders) not to drink wine or strong drink within the tabernacle (church); this shows a clear difference between the holy and unholy.
In Numbers 6:1-3, it identifies the Nazarite who is “separated unto the Lord.” The man or woman that does this also must separate from wine and strong drink.
Ezekiel 44:21 is yet another directive for priests not to drink in God’s house. And even John the Baptist, the messenger before Christ, abstained from drink during his life—as instructed from above (Luke 1:15)!
I Timothy 3 reveals to us Godly characteristics for church elders. 3:3 tells us that a bishop should not be “given to wine,” and 3:8 says that a deacon mustn’t be given to much wine. But how much?
The content in I Timothy is very telling about the specifics of drinking as well, strongly warning about drunkenness. The term sober, and sobriety, is found in chapter 2:9,15 (Godly women), and 3:2,11 (bishops and deacons). Some might argue that the term sober is really just meaning to be serious-minded. I believe it means both things, and that is consistent; is drinking to excess being serious-minded? God’s complete Word gives my position a foundation!
Titus nearly parallels the teachings found in I Timothy. Bishops are not to be given to wine (1:7), and aged women not given to much wine (2:3). Young men and women do not have mentioned even the possibility of drinking; but are instructed to be sober—found in 1:8, 2:2,4,6,12. Do you see a pattern? Even with scriptures that permit some drinking, there are many admonishments to be sober! We will also find soberness instructed in Acts 26:25, Romans 12:3, I Thessalonians 5:6,8, I Peter 1:13, 4:17, 5:8.
We also have a responsibility to our bodies; for after receiving salvation, the Holy Ghost comes to reside in us. Our physical bodies become the temple of God. You could say that this thought is sobering!
Believers then become stewards, not only of goods and wealth; but the health and welfare of their bodies. Drinking to excess compromises this. Excess drinking wastes money that is better used elsewhere (the poor, bills, clothing, etc.). It compromises your health, and could even be injurious to others. And of course, it can be a very harmful witness toward those that need to know Christ! Let’s look at the Word on these things;
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Romans 14:22
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. I Corinthians 3:16-17
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I Corinthians 6:19-20
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Corinthians 9:27
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:30-31
As an American, consuming alcoholic drinks is simply not necessary. When I realized how much my Christian walk was compromised by drinking, I put it away. All glory to God for this!
In the same light (the Bible), I cannot determine another person’s salvation by whether or not they drink. I am afraid that many people do this! My prayer for those who drink is, simply, that they diligently commit every aspect of their lives to Christ; being certain that He really is their LORD.
We must be careful about sin, and the weaknesses of our flesh. While the Bible permits some drinking, it warns strongly against the sins it can lead to—just see the evidence of scripture for yourself! Don’t put yourself in a position to compromise your faith.
In putting away alcohol for the Lord, I found that my “cravings” also disappeared. Only once, about a month after officially quitting (2 months from my last drink), did I have only a light craving for a beer—that was over 10 years ago. As believers, we should deny ourselves in anything that keeps us from following Christ—or hurts others.
The apostle Paul also went through such self-denial. We read in I Corinthians 6:12-13;
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. I Corinthians 6:12-13
And again in I Corinthians 10:23-24;
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. I Corinthians 10:23-24
Hopefully God’s Word has shed good light on this subject for you. I pray that the Holy Spirit will quicken it to your spiritual edification.
Some last notes I will leave concerning communion. We have already noted that in referencing wine, the Bible does not always indicate alcohol content; the term wine used in God’s Word could be regular fruit juice, or at some stage of fermentation (producing alcohol).
The communion cup passed is often assumed to have been wine—but the scriptures do not say this. In each account of the last supper, the cup’s contents are referred to as “the fruit of the vine,” and no more. So you can be content that any fruit juice will be acceptable in the partaking of communion; done in remembrance of our Lord’s death (see Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18).