Alcohol and addiction are complex topics addressed in Scripture. Today, we’ll explore what the Bible says about alcohol, self-control, and the hope of redemption for those struggling.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About The Garden Of Eden
What Does The Bible Say About Alcoholics
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.”
This passage depicts the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, highlighting the problems it brings such as woe, sorrow, strife, and physical pain. It serves as a warning against indulging in alcohol that can lead to harmful effects on one’s well-being.
The verse emphasizes the need for self-control and moderation when it comes to alcohol, reminding individuals of the negative impacts that can result from excessive drinking.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse identifies drunkards as among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. It highlights the seriousness of alcohol abuse and its potential to hinder one’s spiritual growth and relationship with God.
By including drunkenness in the list of behaviors that exclude one from inheriting the kingdom of God, this verse underscores the importance of sobriety and self-control, urging believers to resist the harmful influence of alcohol.
Ephesians 5:18
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
This verse encourages believers to avoid getting drunk on wine and instead be filled with the Spirit of God. It highlights the contrasting outcomes of being under the influence of alcohol versus being under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
By choosing to be filled with the Spirit, individuals can experience the transformative power of God in their lives and find true fulfillment, rather than resorting to excessive drinking and the immoral behavior that often accompanies it.
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
This verse portrays alcohol as a deceptive and misleading influence that can lead individuals astray from wisdom. It cautions against being easily swayed by the allure of alcohol and highlights the importance of making wise choices.
Those who allow themselves to be led astray by alcohol are deemed as lacking wisdom, implying that true wisdom lies in abstaining from excessive drinking and avoiding the negative consequences it brings.
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.”
In this verse, Paul warns against a lifestyle characterized by drunkenness and other sinful behaviors. He emphasizes that those who persist in such lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This passage reinforces the importance of living a righteous and self-controlled life, free from the bondage of drunkenness and the detrimental effects it has on one’s spiritual well-being.
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 excessive drinking and indulgence in material pleasures such as overeating. It highlights the negative consequences of such behaviors, including poverty and a lack of vitality.
By cautioning against the paths of drunkenness and gluttony, this verse encourages individuals to practice self-control, make wise choices, and prioritize their well-being over temporary gratification.
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.”
This verse pronounces judgment upon those who excessively pursue alcohol, even to the point of neglecting their responsibilities and relationships. It exposes the folly of prioritizing alcohol over what truly matters in life.
By expressing “woe” to those who prioritize their indulgence in alcohol, this verse serves as a cautionary message, reminding individuals of the destructive consequences that result from such behavior.
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.”
This verse instructs believers to live with decency and integrity, avoiding behaviors such as carousing, drunkenness, and various forms of immorality. It highlights the importance of maintaining a lifestyle that reflects the character of Christ.
By urging believers to refrain from such behaviors, this verse emphasizes the need for self-control and the pursuit of righteousness, encouraging a life that is pleasing to God.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
This verse calls for believers to be vigilant and maintain a clear and sober mind. It warns of the adversary, the devil, who seeks to destroy and lead people astray.
By emphasizing the importance of sobriety, this verse reminds believers of the need to resist temptations, protect their minds, and stay alert to the spiritual battles that surround them.
Titus 2:3
“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.”
In this verse, older women are encouraged to live a life characterized by reverence and wisdom. They are specifically advised against being addicted to excessive wine, instead exhorted to teach and model what is good.
By admonishing against addiction to wine, this verse underscores the significance of setting an example and prioritizing the pursuit of goodness and moral uprightness.
Proverbs 31:4b-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 passage advises kings and rulers to abstain from excessive alcohol consumption. It warns against the negative effects it can have on their ability to administer justice and protect the rights of the oppressed.
By cautioning against the impairment of judgment that can result from drinking, this verse highlights the responsibility of leaders to prioritize wisdom, fairness, and the well-being of those they govern.
1 Timothy 3:2-3
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
This verse outlines the qualities required of church leaders, emphasizing their need to exhibit temperance, self-control, and sobriety. It underlines the importance of leaders setting a righteous example for others.
By including sobriety as a characteristic of good leadership, this verse highlights the impact that alcohol can have on a person’s ability to fulfill their responsibilities and exhibit godly behavior.
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.”
This verse serves as a warning against allowing our hearts to be burdened by the excesses of life, including carousing, drunkenness, and excessive worries. It advises us to be watchful, so as not to be caught off guard.
By urging vigilance and a rejection of behaviors that lead to spiritual negligence, this verse reminds us of the importance of maintaining a clear and focused heart, ready for the coming of Christ.
Luke 12:45-46
“But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.”
In this parable, Jesus illustrates the fate of a servant who indulges in excessive eating, drinking, and drunkenness while disregarding his master’s return. The servant is severely punished for his actions.
This parable conveys the message that Christians should always be prepared and mindful of their conduct, avoiding overindulgence and instead faithfully carrying out their responsibilities.
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 instructs believers to prioritize the well-being of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, cautioning against actions that may cause them to stumble into sin.
By applying this principle to the consumption of wine or any behavior that may lead others astray, this verse calls for sensitivity and self-control, promoting unity and the edification of fellow believers.
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 the excessive love for wine and luxury. It highlights that such indulgence can lead to poverty and financial ruin.
By pointing out the potential negative consequences of prioritizing worldly pleasures, this verse encourages individuals to seek contentment and to prioritize responsible stewardship of their resources.
1 Timothy 5:23
“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
In this context, Paul advises Timothy to stop drinking only water and to have a little wine for the sake of his stomach and health. It is important to note that the purpose is not for excessive drinking or indulgence.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and recognizing the medicinal properties of wine in specific circumstances, while still maintaining self-control and discernment.
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!”
This verse declares judgment upon those who enable others to become intoxicated, highlighting the immoral acts that may follow in such situations.
By pronouncing “woe” on those who facilitate excessive drinking and engage in immoral behavior, this verse condemns actions that exploit and objectify others.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse calls believers to live every aspect of their lives, including eating and drinking, in a manner that glorifies God. It emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with God’s purposes.
By reminding believers to always consider the glory of God, this verse encourages them to exercise self-control, avoiding excesses and conducting themselves in ways that honor and reflect their faith.
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.”
This verse portrays the negative effects of alcohol consumption on priests and prophets, demonstrating how it can impair their ability to fulfill their spiritual responsibilities.
By highlighting the dangers of drunkenness among those called to lead and minister to others, this verse underscores the importance of sobriety and a clear mind in fulfilling God-given duties.
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.”
This passage speaks of the role of alcohol for those who are in desperate situations and experiencing unbearable anguish or poverty. It acknowledges alcohol’s ability to provide temporary relief from their sorrows.
While this verse expresses the reality of how some may turn to alcohol as a means of escape, it also subtly implies that true and lasting solace can only be found in God and His provisions.
Isaiah 5:22
“Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks.”
This verse pronounces judgment upon those who prided themselves in their ability to consume and mix alcoholic beverages. It condemns the excessive focus on and glorification of drinking habits.
By highlighting the folly of such behavior, this verse calls individuals to prioritize values and actions that are pleasing to God rather than indulging in excessive drinking for the sake of personal gratification.
Proverbs 31:4a
“It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer.”
This verse advises kings and rulers against indulging in wine and beer, recognizing the potential negative influence it can have on their ability to fulfill their leadership responsibilities effectively.
By cautioning against the craving for alcohol, this verse emphasizes the need for leaders to exhibit self-control, clear judgment, and responsible decision-making in their positions of authority.
Matthew 24:48-49
“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.”
In this parable, Jesus portrays a wicked servant who, due to his perception of delay, indulges in abusive behavior towards others and associates with drunkards.
This parable serves as a warning against allowing the delay of Christ’s return to lead to complacency or moral compromise, reminding believers to live faithfully and responsibly, treating others with love and respect.