Drinking too much alcohol, or drunkenness, is a topic that the Bible addresses with clear warnings and lessons. Today, we’ll uncover how Scripture teaches us to live wisely, avoid overindulgence, and stay focused on living a God-honoring life.
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What Does The Bible Say About Drunkenness
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
This verse highlights the negative consequences of drunkenness. It portrays alcohol as something that can deceive and lead to unwise decisions. It serves as a warning against the dangers of excessive drinking.
Ephesians 5:18
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
This verse emphasizes the need to avoid drunkenness and instead allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives. It encourages believers to prioritize being filled with God’s Spirit rather than being controlled by the intoxication of alcohol.
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 portrays the woes, sorrows, and contentions that come as a result of indulging in alcohol. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the allure of wine and the destructive path it can lead to.
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 verse includes drunkenness as one of the works of the flesh, highlighting its sinful nature. It warns that those who engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the importance of living a life that is guided by the Spirit and free from the indulgence of alcohol.
1 Peter 4:3
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.”
This verse reminds believers that excessive wine consumption is part of the sinful lifestyle they left behind. It encourages a departure from indulgence in alcohol and a commitment to following God’s will rather than the ways of the world.
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 passage advises leaders, symbolized by kings and princes, to refrain from drinking alcohol. It emphasizes the detrimental effects alcohol can have on judgment and decision-making. It serves as a reminder for leaders to maintain clarity and responsibility by avoiding the intoxication of alcohol.
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 drinking and seek after strong drink from morning till night. It warns of the detrimental effects of alcohol when consumed excessively, highlighting the woe that awaits those who give themselves over to drunkenness.
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 with integrity, avoiding riotous behavior and drunkenness. It calls for a lifestyle that is free from excessive indulgence and focuses on virtues such as purity, peace, and unity.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse lists various sinful behaviors including drunkenness, emphasizing that those who engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. It underscores the seriousness of the consequences associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Titus 2:3
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”
This verse addresses the behavior expected of older women in the church. It advises them to refrain from excessive wine consumption and instead be teachers of good things, setting an example of righteousness and holiness.
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 not to associate closely with those who engage in sinful behaviors, including being a drunkard. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a holy and upright community that does not tolerate or condone such actions.
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 acknowledges the use of alcohol as a means of temporary relief for those in distress. It suggests that wine can assist in forgetting troubles and finding temporary solace. However, it should be noted that this verse does not condone or promote excessive drinking as a solution to life’s problems.
Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
This verse pronounces judgment upon those who encourage their neighbors to drink excessively. It warns against the negative consequences of enticing others to drunkenness and the potential for wrongdoing that can arise from such behavior.
1 Timothy 3:3
“Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;”
This verse outlines the qualities expected in church leadership. It includes being not given to wine, highlighting the importance of leaders avoiding drunkenness and leading lives characterized by self-control and sobriety.
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 advises against associating with those who indulge in excessive drinking and gluttonous behavior. It highlights the negative consequences of such indulgence, including potential poverty and a lack of productivity.
Proverbs 31:3
“Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.”
This verse warns against the dangers of giving in to temptations, including the lure of alcohol and its potential to lead individuals astray. It encourages self-control and the avoidance of actions that can bring about destruction.
Proverbs 23:29-30
“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.”
This passage describes the negative consequences that come with excessive drinking. It portrays the woes, sorrows, and conflicts that can arise from indulging in wine. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the potential negative effects of alcohol.
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 calls believers to be sober and watchful, recognizing that the devil seeks to prey upon those who are spiritually weak or lacking self-control. It emphasizes the importance of living with alertness and sobriety in order to resist temptation and protect oneself from the enemy.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse reminds believers that all aspects of life, including what we eat and drink, should be done with the intention of bringing glory to God. It encourages a mindset of moderation and self-control, recognizing that our actions can either honor or dishonor God.
Ephesians 5:18-20
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This passage encourages believers to avoid drunkenness and instead be filled with the Spirit. It emphasizes the importance of worship, gratitude, and praising God with songs and melodies. It suggests that the joy and fulfillment found in the Holy Spirit far surpasses any temporary pleasure gained from alcohol.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“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.”
This verse reminds believers that their bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It calls for the honoring of God with our bodies and spirits, emphasizing the importance of self-control and the avoidance of actions, such as excessive drinking, that would defile the temple of God.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
This verse describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes temperance or self-control. It highlights the importance of living a life marked by moderation and discipline, which includes the avoidance of excessive drinking. It underscores that these qualities are empowered by the Holy Spirit and are pleasing to God.