As a Christian, I would say a ton of our bad PR has a lot to do with alcohol. We’re pretty divided over the issue across denominations, and a lot of us treat it as something that must be done in secret, if at all. But what does the Bible ACTUALLY say about alcohol? Let’s take a look.
1.. People are going to judge you whether you drink it or not…
“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” (Luke 7:33-34). If people had something to say about JESUS, the Son of God Himself, drinking wine…then you can bet they’ll have something to say about you, too. Or, on the flip side, if you choose to abstain, there will probably be those who call you a prude or a stick in the mud. You’ve just got to follow your own convictions, here!
2. It can lead to poverty.
“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” (Proverbs 23: 20-21). What the Bible seems to be referring to here is, in simplest terms, being too hungover to get up and go to work. Obviously, this problem comes from an excess of alcohol. Not from your glass of wine at dinner. This is the type of problem faced by those with serious addictions (click here for help).
3. Those with lots of power/responsibility should consider abstaining.
“It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights” (Proverbs 31:4-5). I mean, imagine a king declaring war in a drunken rage, drafting all boys 18+, and not remembering the next morning…thankfully, we have things like parliaments and congresses as safeguards against this type of disaster, but the principle is the same. Alcohol shouldn’t mix with heavy responsibility or big decisions.
4. It can lead to mocking and brawling.
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Bar fights happen for a reason…need I really say more, here? If you’re an angry drunk, then alcohol is not good for you, or the people around you, friend.
5. Drinking to drunkenness is unwise.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). As mentioned above, drinking to drunkenness can lead to sabotaging duties, brawling, poverty, and debauchery. That’s the Bible’s main thing with alcohol, really: just don’t get drunk. It’s a precaution against sins that can hurt you and others.
6. Deacons/church leaders should especially not drink in excess.
“In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain” (1 Timothy 3:8). This goes back to responsibility, for sure. It also has a lot to do with self-control. Those in charge of the spiritual well-being of other people should be trusted to control themselves—their feelings, words, etc. They should be trusted as serious, steady individuals. Excessive alcohol definitely does not help with this.
7. We should consider the spiritual state of our fellow Christians.
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall” (Romans 14:21). You know how it’s considered super rude to drink in front of a recovering alcoholic? It’s the same principle here. If you know your friend struggles with alcohol, the loving thing to do is to abstain from it in their presence.
8. However, God doesn’t forbid drinking entirely—He approves!
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7). As I’m sure you’ve noticed, all the warnings have something to do with drinking in excess. But God is actually down with alcohol in general. (This is debated across denominations, but this is how this author has interpreted the verse.)
9. Like anything else, it can be a gift from God!
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts” (Psalm 104:14-15). God doesn’t intend for alcohol to be used as a numbing tool, something to make us forget, to shut out the world. His intention for alcohol was as a gift to be used in celebration! It is something He gave us just for the purpose of “gladdening our hearts,” which says so much about His character!
10. Paul encouraged Timothy to drink.
“No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23). This doesn’t have much to do with alcohol’s actual purpose, being that the wine back then would have been a bit different than what we have now. But it does serve as a good example of God permitting His people to drink in moderation, even spiritual leaders!
11. Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine.
“And the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:9-11). Jesus chose to reveal His glory for the first time by making not just wine, but the best wine! He did this just so that these people could have a wonderful wedding. And He didn’t even take full credit for it! What a kind, thoughtful, joyful God that is…
12. We will drink with Jesus in heaven one day!
“On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines” (Isaiah 25:6). Of course, we won’t even have to worry about drunkenness there. For all of eternity, there will be no more brawling, poverty, or debauchery of any kind. Alcohol will serve God’s original purpose: a means of celebration for our God and our forever with Him.
Originally Published: www.bolde.com
