While the Bible doesn’t say that drinking alcohol is a sin, it does let us know that drinking excessively is.
Psalms 104:15 mentions alcohol in a pleasant way, saying, “and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.” We also see that Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine in John 2:1-11, during a time of celebration at a wedding in Cana. These are two examples where wine is not being spoken against, however, there are several other scriptures that warn us of the dangers and consequences of drinking.
Proverbs 23:21 says, “For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” Alcoholism robs a man of so many things. He is unable to function and work like others because of his regular state of intoxication. The snowball effect of such a lifestyle will also affect his financial situation, which will affect the rest of his life.
Proverbs 20:1 tells us, “Wine is mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Sadly and all too often, those who start out in control with a drink in hand do not stay in control, allowing alcohol to alter their normal personalities and behaviours, causing them embarrassment because of their lack of control.
1 Corinthians 6:10 warns us that, “… nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” With a warning that lumped together with several other traits that Christians need to avoid in order to inherit what God has for us, we can probably all agree that staying away from the vice that could cause us to fall is a wise decision.
Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” There are people who turn to alcohol to escape from their problems for a short time, but the Spirit of God can give true peace from the things that we are battling. Furthermore, instead of the problems increasing by ignoring them, or by spending too much on alcohol, the Spirit is the true Helper than can change our circumstances!
Romans 13:13 says, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.” This description sounds much like what many people do for entertainment on weekends, and it is not what God desires for the life of His children.
Romans 14:21 advises that, “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” While there are those who don’t feel it is wrong to have a glass of wine with dinner, or consider social drinking okay, we need to be conscious of our brothers and sisters around us. This can send a confusing message when the Bible clearly speaks against drunkenness, even though we may not be getting drunk, and it could also set a snare in front of another child of God who has been delivered from being an alcoholic.
So while there are many passages in the bible that relate to drinking alcohol, none of them forbid it, but there clearly are consequences for drinking too much. If we weigh the pros and cons of alcohol, if we are honest, we can see there are more dangers than there are benefits.