Is drinking alcohol sinful?
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· 6 viewsA brief Bible study to answer the question regarding if the consumption of alcohol is sinful or if only drunkeness is.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
This is a great question and the subject of much debate, especially in American christianity and amongst Baptist in particular.
For many years most western Christians have considered the consumption of alcoholic beverages (in any amount) to be sinful. However, there seems to be a much broader acceptance regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages among western Christians today. Some see that a a point of compromise but what does the Bible say?
Old Testament
Old Testament
In the Old Testament and under the law anyone set apart for service to God was to abstain from any fruit of the vine (even eating grapes). Those who had taken a Nazarite vow or who were serving in priestly duties were forbidden to consume when serving in the tabernacle or temple.
9 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations,
3 he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.
4 Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean.
7 And He said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’ ”
14 She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor may she drink wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean. All that I commanded her let her observe.”
1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
New Testament
New Testament
Even in the New Testament, wine is sometimes symbolically used for sinful contamination.
3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
All of this has led many christians to forgo the consumption of alcohol all together, deeming it to be unwise and some go as far to even say that it is sinful.
We must understand however, that scripture does not expressly forbid Christians from consuming beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverages. In fact there are many verses of scripture that seem to encourage the consumption of alcohol.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works.
14 I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
Even the Lord Jesus, in his first miracle turned water into wine at the wedding in Canna of Galilee, served it at the last supper and said he would drink it in his Fathers kingdom.
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Culturally
Culturally
In the time period in which the New Testament takes place, the water wasn't always clean for drinking in every place. Without proper sanitation, the water often filled with bacteria, viruses, and contaminates just like it does in many third world countries today. Because of this, people often drank wine, because it was far less likely to be contaminated. Even Paul instructed Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach ailments instead of exclusively drinking water. The water was likely causing his sickness.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
It is true, that most wine in these days, while fermented, was not necessarily fermented to the degree it is today and likely had lower alcoholic content than what is available to us today.
It is incorrect to say that all wine was only grape juice in scriptures since the ability to pasteurize grape juice didn't come about until the 1800’s when Thomas Welch figured it out and started selling it to Methodists congregation so that they could observe communion year round and not only when fresh juice was available. Also, the greek word in the NT translated as “wine” is the word for fermented wine not juice.
So, is drinking alcohol in moderation sinful according to the Bible?
So, is drinking alcohol in moderation sinful according to the Bible?
NO! BUT, GETTING DRUNK IS!
The Bible clearly and definitively forbids drunkeness.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Getting drunk leads to a loss of self control and we cannot be controlled by the Spirit of God and substance at the same time (the same is true for any mind altering substance).
When we choose to ingest mind altering substances, we are effectively choosing to give ourselves over to the control of something other than the Holy Spirit. Anything that takes control of our minds, will and emotions is a false god. Any master we obey over God is an idol and idolatry is sin.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
When we get drunk or high we are serving another master and not the Lord.
Just because consuming alcohol in and of itself isn't sinful does not necessarily mean that you should partake.
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
If you cant drink and glorify God while doing it, don’t. If you’re not clearly convinced it’s ok for you to drink, don’t. If you don’t know if a drink will get you drunk or not, don’t.
Just because you can, doesn't mean that you have too.
Answer:
Answer:
Drinking alcohol in moderate quantities is not sinful. Drunkenness and addiction are both sinful and should be avoided.