1. Beer
2. Wine
3. Vodka
4. Whiskey
5. Tequila
I am pretty sure you know where this post is going. I am attempting to write a post on alcohol, and what scripture tells us about drinking. Mind you, I myself don’t drink but my post will not be biased to one side or the other.
Non-negotiable
- Getting drunk is a sin. (Ephesians 5:18)
- Getting “buzzed” is a sin. (Although the bible never mentions the word “buzzed,”If u have to ask, then that means you have a conscience. We have to begin asking ourselves “why” we drink, and for what reason. Purposely engaging in anything that changes the way God originally created us to think, speak, or feel is a sin. It’s called “self-pleasure.”)
Is drinking a sin?
- Depending on how much you drink, and where your heart is while you do it is what can be the game changer. Even though I myself don’t drink, I have no problems stating scripturally that a glass of wine or beer for someone who is “of age” is not wrong. In fact, you’d be surprised to know that some historical texts show us that small doses of alcohol was once encouraged for certain health reasons.
- Also, you’d be surprised to know that many scholars believe that the wine Jesus turned from water was not actually alcoholic, but instead a simple grape-like juice. Serving alcohol in front of children would have deemed as “un-Godly,” and the potential of someone encountering a state of drunkenness is not something you’d want interfering with a “holy” union of marriage.
What does scripture say about drinking?
- What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18).
- The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19).
- Drinking alcohol in excess is unbelievably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christ-follower to say he is drinking alcohol in excess to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Ya, don’t try to justify that one.
Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, even today some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. But, we need to understand that within these freedoms comes a personal responsibility to act accordingly, and to also not be a stumbling block for others. We can’t argue that drunkenness and addiction are sins. Why? Because within the confines of scripture it tells us so.
And mind you, wine and beer are on a lighter spectrum than hard alcohol like tequila, vodka, and whiskey. There are other questions we need to ask ourselves when taking part in much harder alcoholic beverages.
In the end, the presentation of your heart is what matters. The choice is up to you, but I pray through prayer and meditation you find peace with your decision. This post is not to encourage drinking or condemn it. And in fact, I would never encourage it.
We are called to be living examples of Christ. I pray that we would continue to resemble that reflection as Christ-followers, especially when it comes to topics such as “drinking alcoholic beverages.” Alcohol has destroyed way too many lives, and I pray that your decision will come with much prayer and meditation.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will
- Jarrid Wilson
This being said, it is better no to touch alcohol. The Man cannot control all the time and the devil can talk you into a few glasses of booze to ease the pain. I am just saying, we don’t alcohol. It is permitted, but it must not master us though God will destroy both the booze and the liver. So I’d say, we don’t need alcohol. Without it, we are doing just fine.
don’t need alcohol*
I myself will have a drink now and then, especially when I travel to Europe on mission trips and to assist in church planting projects as they use real wine in communion, and not grape juice as we do here in America. Alcohol has never been a vice in my life and is something I am able to manage without getting buzzed or drunk. It really depends on the individual and what God has spoken to him or her about their personal use of alcohol.
^ Aaron, that is a very narrow way of thinking.
Man not having control of something is a not a legitimate reason to restrain oneself.
If this were the case, we should never leave the house because we dont have control of what others do and they might kill us! God gave us a brain and why we should practice discernment. Discernment/ Wisdom/ Truth all come from God. This is what we need to pursue as Christians. This is what will help us make personal decisions about alcohol and other choices in life.
I totally agree with you Jarrid.
I am french and here in France we have a wine culture. So I am used to drink a bit but it’s all about the taste, I know I’ll never get drunk (already been “buzzed” with 1/2 glass of beer a day because I was really tired, and hated the feeling).
I think drinking a glass of red wine everyday is good for the health and that God gave us the intelligence to stop drinking before it is going too far.
We just have to be reasonable :)
having grown up around alcoholics (my step dad owned a working mans bar), i’ve seen alcohol destroy many good people. just like marijuana it can be a gateway drug.
Agreed. It can harm many lives.
I think you bring up a good discussion here, and I’ve myself have never drunk anything, other than sipping or tasting things in settings like weddings.
But I’ve always wondered what people do with John 2 when Jesus made wine for people at the wedding at Cana for those who had already too much to drink. Again, I don’t drink and am not trying to advocate it. I just think an awful lot of the abstinence reasoning I hear other believers use are from a vantage point where their own culture is mixed into their Bible exegesis. I’ve lived in Europe for a few years and now in South America, and have had plenty of discussions about this and there’s all sorts of different ways people approach it.
Bottom line–what is the Spirit saying to you, and do your actions (about anything, not just alcohol) cause your witness to be ruined? But it’s when we start implementing rules that we are basically saying we don’t trust the Holy Spirit to lead people into truth about this.
You make some good points Jarrid. The part about why and where you drink, and how much, especially true. I personally don’t have much of a taste for alcohol; Bailey’s Irish Cream is the only alcoholic thing I like, but it’s probably the sugar. Unfortunately alcohol abuse affected my mom and her mom, so out of my own protection, I choose to avoid it. The body is a temple, and should be well maintained. That being said, I think sodas are consumed far too much. You won’t get inebriated by drinking too much soda, but it can cause health problems, just like alcohol can. I’m not exactly a health-nut/fitness guru, but I think moderate exercise is good, and so are watching what you consume, and not just the beverage choice. Tea is my beverage of choice. :) You can’t get good tea at most restaurants or fast food places either. Usually the stuff made by soda companies. :P So I drink a lot more water when dining out or getting something quick to eat.-Marlena
Some good insight! This is why in my opinion it is better to avoid it altogether. Like you said, being drunk is folly and a sin and due to its addictive nature and the way it evidently controls people (not just alcoholics, even party goers who think they ‘know their limits’) it’s best just not to touch it.
I’m not sure that “getting buzzed is a sin” can be defined by a DMV slogan. I think the point of the slogan is whether you are buzzed or drunk it is illegal to drive. This should not be used to prove the biblical definition of drunkenness. With that said, don’t drink and drive.
We are called to live by the laws of the land unless they are against biblical beliefs. If the land states that “buzzed driving is drunk driving,” then yes it’s a sin.
Because we are called to live by the laws of the land. That being said…. If our government calls “buzzed” driving “drunk driving”… We are to withhold that standard.
Because people like to Justify why it’s ok they can get “buzzed,” I will use a different example.
i think this is an excellent representation of the Christian faith as it relates to drinking. well done, Jarrid. i did a lot of research on this subject for a debate in college and found a lot of the same points and convictions that you did. thank you for making such a bold but well-researched statement about such a gray area for us Christ-followers. you’re an inspiration!
Thanks Rachel! Means a lot.
I am a recovering alcoholic myself, and saved by the Blood of Christ. I haven’t consumed a drop of alcohol in 14 months now by the Grace of God. My question is how do you interpret Proverbs 31:6-7. I understand this of course was NOT a teaching of Jesus nor Jesus Himself, but I do believe what is in our bible is there for a reason and we are meant to take something from it. What do you take from it?
Hey Brandon, I believe that verse is reference “beer” or “wine” as an end result, to engage in the drunkenness it offers as “your end.” But, I totally get where you are coming from!
I think the Scripture is best to follow here.
There is a reason that The Lord said for elders to be of no wine and deacons to be of little wine.
If all wine is taboo, The Lord would not have said for deacons to be of “little” wine.
And if this wine did not have any alcohol….the Lord would have not said that elders to be of no wine.
Ya, I totally see where you’re coming from. I know through scripture that scholars believe some variations of wine would be non-alcoholic, but obviously in the scripture you pointed out… there was alcohol present.
Now I can completely understand why Elders are against drinking. The damage to families is terrible.
But the damage to the Gospel is worse when individuals start adding man made rules.
I am impressed that you are willing to brave this subject as it can be so very devisive in the body of Christ. As an alcohol/drug counselor with a history of struggles with alcohol, I personally hate the stuff. I’d prefer my children choose to live without it because there definitely are great risks BUT I’m tired of living my life by “adding to these words” by trying to act as if Scripture says it is always a sin. We cannot make our own convictions into doctrine. I truly don’t believe that anyone left alone to read a Bible cover to cover would walk away saying it is a sin for any person to ever have a drink. I fully agree with your statements on drunkenness, being of age etc. I always held to Rom 14:21: “lest your brother may stumble” as an argument but God opened my eyes to the fact that the chapter starts out about vegetarians (v 10 – “but you who eat vegetables only”). If God was saying believers should never partake “lest their brother stumble” then they were being told to all give up meat BC the vegetarians might be offended. The chapter definitely doesn’t say this! It says “Therefore, we must not pass judgement on one another”. They chapter speaks of not placing an obstacle or trap for a brother so I appreciate when those who do drink are respectful of those like myself and don’t just flaunt their liberty without consideration. I am so thankful to now be in a body of believers that fully respects different convictions on these NON-essentials. Fellowship has been so damaged and relationships damaged by judgementalism and self-righteousness. GRACE must abound!
Agreed. Love your heart Kim! Definitely areas of scripture were people can take advantage of freedoms.
Good stuff. But IMHO, being a former blackout drinker- alcohol is very deceptive in how it becomes a “vice” – even people that never had a problem with it can find themselves unable to stop – not to mention all of the harm that it causes to families – it is a destructive substance and biblical wine was most likely much different than the wine we know today.
Love your honesty man! And yes, it can be very destructive. Praying for you bro!
I completely agree with you! Its very deceptive proverbs 23:31-32 talks about it seeming to sparkle and go down smooth but bite you in the end.My father and brother struggle with alcohol and I almost lost my brother to its destruction last year.Alcohol has done some serious damage to my family…I myself struggle with the idea that it’s okay to have a little I just feel that nothing good comes out of drinking it. Even in moderation it just opens the door to further problems
Rather strange comment there Carter, my avatar is an open field in the middle of Ireland, my comment wasn’t deleted. Having read some of Jarrid’s blog posts, and met him in person, I hardly think a comment would be deleted for that.
———
I just wanted to thank you again Jarrid. For months I’ve been wanting to do an apologetics type of a study group at the church I attend, and just found out several others from my church have also been thinking of doing this. If you could pray about this, much appreciated.
-Marlena
Thanks for this post Jarrid. Very gently but truthfully written. I’ve got 2 questions, I’m from the U.K. so could you explain what the term buzzed means? When you meet people and they ask you why you personally don’t drink what do you say to them?
Hi Jarrid and everyone,
I’d like God to change me. I feel like my way of opening myself up to being changed means removing things in my life that block His presence. I do feel like alcohol is one of those things. We gravitate towards intoxicants because they promise some kind of elusive “freedom.” But I would like to attain freedom through God. Having a drink is ok once in a while but if it becomes symbolic of “freedom” and “being yourself” then there’s a problem. Relying on a drink becomes an act of doubting God…of blocking out God. God frees. God directs us to become who we truly are. I feel the need to keep stopping to ask directions.
I appreciate what you say Steve:
Bottom line–what is the Spirit saying to you, and do your actions (about anything, not just alcohol) cause your witness to be ruined? But it’s when we start implementing rules that we are basically saying we don’t trust the Holy Spirit to lead people into truth about this.
I’ve just discovered your writings and thoughts Jarrid. Hello from Delhi, India. I’ll be watching to enjoy more of your insights. love, Tara
Wanting to have God give you the freedom to be is an awesome place to be! I’ll be keeping you in my prayers! God bless you!
Thank you so much for this post. It is something I have been struggling with lately & have a hard time explaining to non-christians my reasoning behind it because they always counter with “the bible doesn’t say you can’t drink” or “they drink in the bible”. This post has given me some good places in scripture to start digging further and given me more to think about. Thanks!
Hey Jarrid. I definitely agree with this post. Teenagers today really need to read this and think about it. Too many of them are going out nearly every weekend and getting wasted and calling it a “good time” or “fun.” It’s really upsetting to hear that and definitely shows that they would rather feel good instead of feeling great with Christ.
Take it all in perspective, it’s a judgement call. But if you aren’t glorifying God while drinking, why drink? The only scenarios that can ensue ‘righteous drinking’ are communion and to better minister to unsaved people who drink. You can make someone feel more comfortable by ordering a beer with them rather than a Mountain Dew. But otherwise I don’t see how you can justify drinking if it isn’t glorifying God
My dad almost died from serosis of the liver, he started drinking since he was 13 years old ( sorry not sure how to spell serosis, i guess) but if it wasn’t for God he would have died :( The Lord did a miracle in my dad’s life!! … I know it, <3.. he was told by his doctors that he didn't have a cure, but God had different plans for him…i am so greatful to God for what He has done to my dad's life, doctors were amazed how his life got turned around …God is with us when we ask for help, what a amazing God we have!! <3 I am so greatful!!..
Praying for your family, and I appreciate you honesty.
I really appreciate this post.
In the last six years my father has completely disappeared from my family’s life due to his life-long struggle alcoholism.
It is very refreshing to look back at the scriptures and try understand what God really had in mind regarding alcohol. I still drink on occasion, not condemning alcohol because it is abused. In tandem with this view, I feel it is so important to be educated to navigate our choices in a godly way if choosing to drink.
Thanks for the reminders.