Alcohol is a topic many wonder about, and the Bible provides guidance on how it should be approached. Today, we’ll look at what Scripture says about drinking, self-control, and honoring God in our choices.
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What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
This verse warns against the dangers of alcohol and the negative effects it can have on a person’s judgment and behavior. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom and self-control in avoiding the pitfalls of excessive drinking.
It serves as a reminder that indulging in alcohol can lead to poor decision-making and can have a negative impact on one’s life and relationships.
Ephesians 5:18
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Here, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers to avoid the state of drunkenness. Instead of seeking temporary pleasure through alcohol, believers are encouraged to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which brings lasting joy and fulfillment.
This verse reminds Christians of the importance of moderation and self-control, choosing to be under the influence of the Spirit rather than alcohol, and living a life that honors God.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul lists drunkenness as one of the behaviors that can prevent someone from inheriting the kingdom of God. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of indulging in excessive alcohol consumption.
It highlights the need for Christians to walk in righteousness and make wise choices that align with God’s standards, understanding that our actions have eternal consequences.
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 verse advises against both excessive drinking and gluttony, emphasizing the negative consequences that can result from these indulgences. It cautions against behaviors that can lead to physical, financial, and spiritual poverty.
It teaches us the importance of practicing self-discipline in all areas of life, including our consumption habits, to avoid the detrimental effects of overindulgence.
Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, Lemuel—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.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of leaders to maintain clarity of mind and make just decisions. It advises kings and rulers against indulging in alcohol lest they become forgetful and neglectful of their duties to protect and serve the oppressed.
It reminds us of the importance of leaders setting a good example and making wise choices that uphold justice and righteousness.
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 speaks to believers who have left behind their old way of life. It reminds them of the darkness they used to live in when they followed worldly desires, including drunkenness.
It encourages Christians to let go of their past sinful behaviors and instead pursue a life that is pleasing to God, walking in purity and holiness.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse reminds believers that every aspect of their lives should be lived to bring glory to God. This includes their choices regarding food and drink.
It encourages Christians to consider the impact of their actions on their witness and to align their behavior with the will of God, always seeking to honor Him in every area of their lives.
Proverbs 31:6-7
“Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
While this verse acknowledges the use of alcohol as a temporary relief from distress, it also implies that such relief is not a solution to the deeper problems of life.
It reminds us that turning to substances, including alcohol, to escape or numb our pain is not a sustainable or healthy approach. It points us towards finding lasting comfort and healing through God’s grace and love.
Proverbs 21:17
“Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.”
This verse warns against the pursuit of pleasure and indulgence at the expense of self-control and financial stability. It serves as a reminder that prioritizing temporary satisfaction can lead to long-term consequences.
It encourages believers to seek true wealth and contentment through a balanced and disciplined approach to life, recognizing that excessive love of pleasure can lead to spiritual, emotional, and material poverty.
Luke 21:34
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.”
Jesus warns against the dangers of being weighed down by worldly pleasures, including drunkenness, which can distract us from focusing on the things that truly matter, such as our relationship with God and preparing for His return.
This verse reminds believers to stay vigilant and not allow the cares and distractions of this world to prevent us from being ready for the coming of the Lord.
Isaiah 5:11
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.”
Isaiah pronounces judgment on those who eagerly pursue alcohol and prioritize its consumption above all else.
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the destructive nature of alcohol addiction and the folly of seeking fulfillment in substances rather than in God.
Galatians 5:21
“…envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul includes drunkenness as one of the sinful behaviors that can hinder someone from inheriting the kingdom of God. It highlights the importance of living a life that is marked by the fruit of the Spirit rather than the works of the flesh.
It calls believers to reject patterns of behavior characterized by excess and self-gratification, instead embracing a life that is reflective of God’s love and righteousness.
Romans 13:13
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
Paul urges believers to live upright lives, characterized by decency, integrity, and self-control. This verse specifically warns against engaging in carousing and drunkenness, which are behaviors rooted in excess and lack of self-discipline.
It reminds Christians to seek after holiness and to pursue lives that are pleasing to God, forsaking the indulgences of the flesh that can lead to destruction.
1 Timothy 3:8
“Deacons, likewise, are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”
Paul provides instructions for the qualifications of deacons in the church, which includes the call to abstain from excessive wine consumption. This requirement reflects the importance of leaders being examples of self-control and righteousness.
It reminds us that those in positions of leadership should exemplify the virtues they preach and make choices that align with the character of Christ.
Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!”
Habakkuk condemns the actions of those who provide alcohol to others with the intent to exploit or take advantage of them. It exposes the harmful motives behind such actions and warns of the severe consequences that await those who engage in such behavior.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, guarding against actions that may harm or exploit them.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
Paul urges believers to embrace a lifestyle of spiritual alertness and sobriety. This involves being awake and aware of the things of God, rather than being spiritually lethargic or indulging in behaviors associated with darkness.
It encourages Christians to put on the armor of faith, love, and hope, guarding against the influence of worldly distractions and temptations.
Proverbs 23:29-35
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.”
This passage provides a vivid description of the negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. It highlights the danger of becoming ensnared by its allure, leading to strife, sorrow, and physical and emotional harm.
It serves as a strong warning against the deceptive nature of alcohol and the destructive effects it can have on our lives.
Titus 2:2-3
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
Paul instructs Titus to teach older men and women in the church to live lives that are marked by self-control, respect, and wisdom. This includes avoiding the pitfalls of addiction and excessive drinking.
It reminds us that regardless of our age, we are called to pursue godliness and set an example for others, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel through our choices and behavior.
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
Paul emphasizes the need for believers to exercise discernment in their relationships, avoiding close association with those who profess to be Christians but consistently engage in behaviors contrary to the teachings of Christ.
This verse underscores the seriousness of the issue of drunkenness and its implications on a person’s spiritual walk. It teaches us to set boundaries in our relationships to protect ourselves from harmful influences and to promote a culture of holiness.
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of considering the impact of our actions on others, particularly those who may be weaker in their faith. This extends to our choices regarding alcohol consumption.
It encourages believers to prioritize love and the well-being of others over personal preference, abstaining from activities that may lead others astray or cause them to stumble in their walk with God.
Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, Lemuel— 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.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of leaders to maintain clarity of mind and make just decisions. It advises kings and rulers against indulging in alcohol lest they become forgetful and neglectful of their duties to protect and serve the oppressed.
It reminds us of the importance of leaders setting a good example and making wise choices that uphold justice and righteousness.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul includes drunkenness in a list of behaviors that are considered acts of the flesh, highlighting their opposition to the Spirit-led life of a believer. He emphasizes that those who habitually engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This verse serves as a reminder of the transformation that should take place in the lives of Christians, as they turn away from the desires of the flesh and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 31:6-7
“Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
While this verse acknowledges the use of alcohol as a temporary relief from distress, it also implies that such relief is not a solution to the deeper problems of life.
It reminds us that turning to substances, including alcohol, to escape or numb our pain is not a sustainable or healthy approach. It points us towards finding lasting comfort and healing through God’s grace and love.
Isaiah 28:7
“And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.”
Isaiah highlights the detrimental effects of alcohol on the spiritual leaders of his time. He describes how their indulgence in wine and beer led to impaired judgment and hindered their ability to fulfill their God-given roles.
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of excessive drinking and its potential impact on our spiritual discernment and leadership.
Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, Lemuel— 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.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of leaders to maintain clarity of mind and make just decisions. It advises kings and rulers against indulging in alcohol lest they become forgetful and neglectful of their duties to protect and serve the oppressed.
It reminds us of the importance of leaders setting a good example and making wise choices that uphold justice and righteousness.