Drinking alcohol is a topic many people wonder about, especially when it comes to knowing where to draw the line. The Bible warns against drunkenness and its potential to lead to harmful choices. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture says about self-control, moderation, and making wise decisions in this area.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Being Envious
What Does The Bible Say About Being Drunk
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
This verse warns against the dangers of alcohol and its ability to deceive and lead people astray. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom in avoiding the negative effects of being drunk.
Ephesians 5:18
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
This verse encourages believers to avoid drunkenness and instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual fulfillment rather than relying on temporary pleasures.
Proverbs 23:20-21
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
This verse warns against associating with those who indulge in excessive drinking and overeating. It highlights the negative consequences that come from such behaviors, including poverty and a lack of self-control.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
This verse urges believers to maintain sobriety and be alert to the schemes of the devil. It reminds them of the spiritual battle they face and the need to stay vigilant in their faith.
Galatians 5:21
“Envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse lists drunkenness as one of the works of the flesh that prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the importance of living a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit rather than indulging in sinful behaviors.
Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”
This verse advises leaders, specifically kings and princes, to abstain from drinking alcohol. It highlights the potential negative effects of alcohol on judgment and decision-making.
Isaiah 5:11
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
This verse condemns those who prioritize the consumption of alcohol, indulging in it from morning till night. It warns of the consequences that come from prioritizing worldly pleasures over righteousness.
Romans 13:13
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
This verse encourages believers to live honest and upright lives, avoiding behaviors such as drunkenness, immorality, quarreling, and jealousy. It reminds them to live in a manner that reflects their faith.
Proverbs 23:29-35
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”
This passage vividly describes the negative consequences of excessive drinking. It highlights the physical, emotional, and social problems that come from habitual drunkenness, warning against its allure and addictive nature.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse lists drunkenness as one of the behaviors that prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It reminds believers of the need to live righteous lives that reflect the transforming power of Christ.
Proverbs 21:17
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
This verse emphasizes the folly of pursuing pleasure and the indulgence of alcohol. It suggests that prioritizing worldly desires over godly living can lead to spiritual and material poverty.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage highlights drunkenness as one of the works of the flesh that are contrary to the desires of the Spirit. It serves as a reminder that engaging in such behaviors can hinder one’s relationship with God.
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
This verse reveals the deceptive nature of alcohol and its ability to lead people astray. It calls for wisdom in avoiding the allure of drunkenness and its destructive consequences.
Isaiah 28:7
“But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”
This verse highlights the negative impact of alcohol on spiritual leaders. It warns of the impairment of judgment and vision that can result from excessive drinking, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment.
Proverbs 31:6-7
“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”
This verse speaks of the temporary solace that alcohol can provide to those in dire circumstances. However, it does not promote the misuse or abuse of alcohol as a solution to life’s problems.
Titus 2:3
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”
This verse instructs older women to live in a manner that reflects holiness and spiritual maturity. It advises against excessive drinking and advocates for them to be teachers of good things.
Isaiah 5:22
“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”
This verse condemns those who boast about their ability to consume alcohol and their strength in handling strong drink. It warns of the danger of pride and self-indulgence in relation to alcohol.
Luke 21:34
“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.”
This verse cautions believers to guard against being consumed by excess, including drunkenness, as it can distract them from the true priorities of life. It emphasizes the need to remain alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord.
Isaiah 28:1
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!”
This verse pronounces judgment on the prideful and indulgent drunkards of Ephraim, warning them of their impending downfall despite their temporary worldly success.
1 Timothy 3:3
“Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous.”
This verse sets forth the qualifications for overseers in the church, emphasizing the importance of self-control and abstaining from excessive drinking. It highlights the need for leaders to exhibit integrity and godly character.
Proverbs 23:29
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”
This verse poses rhetorical questions regarding the negative consequences of excessive drinking. It paints a grim picture of the turmoil and physical ailments that can result from drunkenness.
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
This verse instructs believers to separate themselves from fellow believers who persist in drunkenness and other sinful behaviors. It underscores the importance of maintaining purity and holiness within the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“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.”
This passage lists drunkenness among the behaviors that exclude individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and transformation through Christ’s redemption.
Proverbs 31:3
“Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.”
This verse cautions against the potential destruction that can come from giving in to worldly pleasures, including alcohol-induced temptation. It calls for wisdom in making choices that align with God’s commands.