Drinking alcohol is a common and controversial topic in our society. Some people enjoy drinking alcohol for various reasons, such as socializing, relaxing, celebrating, or coping. Some people avoid drinking alcohol for various reasons, such as health, religion, morality, or addiction. Some people have different opinions and beliefs about drinking alcohol, such as how much, how often, and under what circumstances.
But what does the Bible say about drinking alcohol? Is drinking alcohol a sin or a blessing? Is drinking alcohol forbidden or permitted? Is drinking alcohol wise or foolish? How should Christians view and practice drinking alcohol?
The Old Testament on Drinking Alcohol
The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible, which contains the stories and laws of God’s people, Israel, before the coming of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament mentions drinking alcohol several times, both positively and negatively.
On the positive side, the Old Testament shows that drinking alcohol can be a gift from God and a sign of his blessing. For example, in Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God, brought out bread and wine to bless Abraham, the father of faith. In Deuteronomy 14:26, God instructed the Israelites to use their tithe money to buy whatever they wanted, including wine and strong drink, and to rejoice before him. In Psalm 104:14-15, the psalmist praised God for making wine that gladdens the human heart. In Ecclesiastes 9:7, the preacher advised the people to drink their wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what they do.
On the negative side, the Old Testament also warns that drinking alcohol can be a curse from God and a cause of his judgment. For example, in Genesis 9:20-27, Noah, the righteous man who survived the flood, became drunk and exposed himself in his tent, leading to his son Ham’s sin and curse. In Leviticus 10:8-11, God commanded Aaron and his sons, the priests of Israel, not to drink wine or strong drink when they go into the tent of meeting, lest they die and profane God’s name. In Proverbs 20:1, the wise man said that wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
In Isaiah 5:11-12, 22-23, the prophet denounced the people who rise early in the morning to run after strong drink, who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deny justice to the innocent, and who will be punished by God’s wrath.
Therefore, the Old Testament does not give a clear and consistent answer to the question of drinking alcohol. It does not prohibit drinking alcohol altogether, but it does not endorse drinking alcohol without limits. It acknowledges that drinking alcohol can be a good thing, but it also cautions that drinking alcohol can be a bad thing. It depends on the context, the motive, and the outcome of drinking alcohol.
The New Testament on Drinking Alcohol
The New Testament is the second part of the Bible, which contains the stories and teachings of Jesus Christ and his followers. The New Testament also mentions drinking alcohol several times, both positively and negatively.
On the positive side, the New Testament shows that drinking alcohol can be a symbol of God’s grace and a means of his ministry. For example, in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, where he used bread and wine to represent his body and blood, which he gave for the forgiveness of sins.
He also promised to drink wine with his disciples in his Father’s kingdom. In John 2:1-11, Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana, where he turned water into wine, and the master of the banquet said that the wine was the best he ever tasted. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advised Timothy, his young co-worker, to drink a little wine for the sake of his stomach and his frequent illnesses.
On the negative side, the New Testament also warns that drinking alcohol can be a sign of God’s wrath and a hindrance to his will. For example, in Luke 21:34-36, Jesus told his disciples to be careful, lest their hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon them suddenly like a trap. In Romans 13:13-14, Paul urged the believers to behave decently, not in orgies and drunkenness, but to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.
In Ephesians 5:15-18, Paul instructed the believers to be careful how they live, not as unwise but as wise, not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but to be filled with the Spirit. In 1 Peter 4:3-5, Peter reminded the believers that they had spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry and that they will have to give account to God who judges the living and the dead.
Therefore, the New Testament also does not give a clear and consistent answer to the question of drinking alcohol. It does not forbid drinking alcohol altogether, but it does not encourage drinking alcohol without restraint. It recognizes that drinking alcohol can be a meaningful thing, but it also warns that drinking alcohol can be a harmful thing. It depends on the purpose, the attitude, and the effect of drinking alcohol.
How to Apply the Bible’s Teaching on Drinking Alcohol
Based on the Old Testament and the New Testament, we can conclude that the Bible does not have a simple and straightforward answer to the question of drinking alcohol. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is always a sin or always a blessing. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is always forbidden or permitted. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is always wise or always foolish. The Bible says that drinking alcohol can be good or bad, depending on the situation, the intention, and the consequence.
Therefore, as Christians, we need to apply the Bible’s teaching on drinking alcohol with wisdom and discernment. We need to consider the following factors when we decide whether to drink alcohol or not:
The context:
Where, when, and with whom are we drinking alcohol? Is it a proper and appropriate place, time, and company? Is it a lawful and respectful setting, or is it a rebellious and immoral environment? Is it a joyful and edifying occasion, or is it a sorrowful and destructive event?
The motive:
Why are we drinking alcohol? Is it for the glory of God and the good of others, or is it for the gratification of our flesh and the escape from our problems? Is it for the sake of our health and well-being, or is it for the sake of our pleasure and addiction? Is it for the expression of our faith and love, or is it for the suppression of our guilt and fear?
The outcome:
What are the results of drinking alcohol? Does it lead to peace and joy, or does it lead to strife and sorrow? Does it lead to self-control and moderation, or does it lead to excess and addiction? Does it lead to holiness and righteousness, or does it lead to sin and wickedness?
We also need to consider the following principles when we decide whether to drink alcohol or not:
The principle of love:
We should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). We should not do anything that dishonors God or harms our neighbor. We should not drink alcohol if it causes us to break God’s commandments or offend our neighbor’s conscience. We should not drink alcohol if it hinders our relationship with God or our witness to others.
The principle of freedom:
We are free from the law and the traditions of men, but we are not free to do whatever we want (Galatians 5:1, 13). We are free to drink alcohol, but we are not free to abuse alcohol. We are free to enjoy alcohol, but we are not free to depend on alcohol. We are free to use alcohol, but we are not free to be enslaved by alcohol.
The principle of stewardship:
We are stewards of God’s gifts and resources, and we will have to give an account to him for how we use them (1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:14-30). We should not waste or misuse God’s gifts and resources, but we should use them wisely and faithfully. We should not drink alcohol if it damages or destroys our body, mind, or spirit, which is God’s temple. We should not drink alcohol if it reduces or ruins our talents, abilities, or opportunities, which are God’s tools.
Conclusion
The Bible does not give a clear and consistent answer to the question of drinking alcohol. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is always a sin or always a blessing. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is forbidden or permitted. The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is always wise or always foolish. The Bible says that drinking alcohol can be good or bad, depending on the situation, the intention, and the consequence.
Therefore, as Christians, we need to apply the Bible’s teaching on drinking alcohol with wisdom and discernment. We need to consider the context, the motive, and the outcome of drinking alcohol. We also need to consider the principle of love, the principle of freedom, and the principle of stewardship when we decide whether to drink alcohol or not.
FAQs:
Q: What are some of the positive examples of drinking alcohol in the Bible?
A: Some of the positive examples of drinking alcohol in the Bible are Melchizedek blessing Abraham with bread and wine, God instructing the Israelites to rejoice with wine and strong drink, the psalmist praising God for making wine that gladdens the human heart, the preacher advising the people to drink their wine with a merry heart, Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper with bread and wine, Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding, and Paul advising Timothy to drink a little wine for his health.
Q: What are some of the negative examples of drinking alcohol in the Bible?
A: Some of the negative examples of drinking alcohol in the Bible are Noah becoming drunk and exposing himself, God commanding the priests not to drink wine or strong drink when they serve him, the wise man saying that wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler, the prophet denouncing the people who are addicted to wine and strong drink, Jesus warning his disciples not to be weighed down with drunkenness, Paul urging the believers not to indulge in orgies and drunkenness, and Peter reminding the believers not to live in debauchery and drunkenness.
Q: What are some of the benefits of drinking alcohol?
A: Some of the benefits of drinking alcohol are that it can be a gift from God and a sign of his blessing, that it can be a symbol of God’s grace and a means of his ministry, that it can be a source of joy and celebration, that it can be a remedy for some illnesses and ailments, and that it can be a way of expressing faith and love.
Q: What are some of the dangers of drinking alcohol?
A: Some of the dangers of drinking alcohol are that it can be a curse from God and a cause of his judgment, that it can be a sign of God’s wrath and a hindrance to his will, that it can be a source of sin and wickedness, that it can be a harm to our body, mind, and spirit, and that it can be a way of violating God’s commandments and offending our neighbor’s conscience.
Q: How much alcohol is too much?
A: The Bible does not give a specific amount or limit for drinking alcohol. However, the Bible does warn against drinking alcohol to the point of drunkenness, which is a state of losing control, awareness, and judgment. Drunkenness can lead to various negative consequences, such as shame, curse, death, profanity, folly, wrath, debauchery, dissipation, and trap. Therefore, we should drink alcohol in moderation and with self-control, and avoid drinking alcohol to the point of drunkenness.
Q: How often can we drink alcohol?
A: The Bible does not give a specific frequency or occasion for drinking alcohol. However, the Bible does show that drinking alcohol can be appropriate and acceptable in some situations, such as blessing, rejoicing, celebrating, remembering, and healing. The Bible also shows that drinking alcohol can be inappropriate and unacceptable in some situations, such as serving, judging, fighting, watching, and fleeing. Therefore, we should drink alcohol in wisdom and discernment, and avoid drinking alcohol in ignorance and disobedience.
Q: Under what circumstances can we drink alcohol?
A: The Bible does not give a specific rule or condition for drinking alcohol. However, the Bible does suggest that drinking alcohol can be influenced and affected by various factors, such as the place, the time, the company, the law, the culture, the conscience, and the witness. Therefore, we should drink alcohol in love and respect, and avoid drinking alcohol in rebellion and disrespect.
Q: What are some of the alternatives to drinking alcohol?
A: The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is the only or the best way to enjoy God’s gifts and resources, or to express our faith and love. The Bible also offers some alternatives to drinking alcohol, such as drinking water, milk, honey, or juice, eating bread, meat, fruit, or vegetables, singing songs, playing instruments, dancing, praying, reading, or meditating, giving, serving, or sharing, and many more. Therefore, we should not limit or idolize drinking alcohol, but we should explore and appreciate other ways to glorify God and bless others.
Q: How can we help others who struggle with drinking alcohol?
A: The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is a problem or a sin for everyone, but it does acknowledge that drinking alcohol can be a problem or a sin for some people, especially those who are addicted, dependent, or enslaved by alcohol. The Bible also teaches us how to help others who struggle with drinking alcohol, such as by praying for them, counseling them, supporting them, encouraging them, correcting them, restoring them, forgiving them, and bearing with them. Therefore, we should not judge or condemn others who struggle with drinking alcohol, but we should love and help them.
Q: How can we honor God with our drinking alcohol?
A: The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is a way to honor or dishonor God, but it does imply that drinking alcohol can be a way to honor or dishonor God, depending on how we drink alcohol.