Alcohol and the Bible: Guidance on Drinking, Drunkenness, and God’s Will

The Bible provides clear guidance on the use of alcohol, warning against its dangers while offering wisdom for living a life that honors God. Here’s what Scripture says about alcohol, drunkenness, and the alternative of being filled with the Spirit:

1. The Dangers of Alcohol

Alcohol can lead to poor decisions and moral failure.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." – Proverbs 20:1, RSV

Drunkenness is listed among serious sins.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." – Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV

2. The Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol can lead to poverty and ruin.

"Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." – Proverbs 23:20-21, NIV

Alcohol causes physical, emotional, and spiritual harm.

"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’" – Proverbs 23:29-35, NIV

3. Leaders and Alcohol

Kings and rulers are advised to avoid alcohol.

"It is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights." – Proverbs 31:4-5, NIV

4. God’s Blessings Without Alcohol

Pure grape juice is a blessing, not fermented wine.

"As the new wine is found in the cluster…one says, 'Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.'" – Isaiah 65:8, NKJV

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" – 1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV

5. Living for God’s Glory

Everything we do should honor God.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV

Choose to be filled with the Spirit, not alcohol.

"Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit." – Ephesians 5:18, TEV

6. Practical Wisdom for Christians

Avoid situations that tempt you to overindulge.

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." – 1 Corinthians 10:12, NKJV

Seek God’s strength to overcome temptation.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." – 1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV

Conclusion

The Bible warns against the dangers of alcohol and drunkenness, urging us to live in a way that honors God and protects our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. By choosing to be filled with the Spirit rather than alcohol, we can experience true joy, peace, and fulfillment in Christ.

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Discover what the Bible says about alcohol—its dangers, God’s warnings, and the call to live soberly for His glory.