Alcohol: Is It the Devil's Brew?
Is it OK for Christians to drink?
Some argue it’s unbiblical to drink a sip of alcohol; while others claim that partaking of a little isn’t a sin.
Well, let's look at what the Bible actually states about drinking.
To Drink or Not to Drink?
Drinking alcohol isn't (necessarily) a sin. Let's dig into that.
Jesus never sinned. Hebrews 4 states that even though he faced every kind of temptation we do, he didn’t give in to sin.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. (NLT)
Again, in the explanation of the power of the Cross, we read that Jesus was without blame.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. (NLT)
The thought of a Christian who drinks, to some of us, is unthinkable. Some of you might even immediately think of excessive drinking. That’s not what this article is addressing. Instead, we're digging into if it's OK to drink a controlled amount of wine or beer or other alcoholic beverages.
Not only does the Bible say that Jesus drank wine at the Last Supper, but in Jewish tradition he would have done so at Passover each year as well. In understanding the culture and reading the accounts of Christ, can we presume to know that Jesus opposed alcohol? Especially when the first miracle he performed was to turn water into wine?
The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." (NIV)
This was the first time people saw Jesus' miracle power in action. So, why would He pick to create something that is innately sinful?
The Bible says God cannot stand to be in the presence of sin ( ) and that there will be no sin in Heaven. But, Jesus said at the Last Supper that we’ll be drinking with Him in Heaven. After passing the bread and the cup, Jesus says:
"I'll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I'll drink with you in the Kingdom of my Father." (The Message)
This same account is recorded two other times in the New Testament ( and ). Therefore, if there is no sin in Heaven, yet we will be drinking wine with Christ in celebration, how can drinking alcohol (in moderation) be a sin?
Walking the Straight Line
The argument is fairly cut and dry to this point. The danger is when we, in our humanity, become overzealous. Understanding our limit is the key. The simple fact is that God warns us against drunkenness (for our own good and the good of others).
Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome— a staggering drunk is not much fun. (The Message)
Simply because it isn’t a sin to drink does not give us license to abuse it. God doesn’t forbid us from eating. But, he warns against gluttony (eating excessively for pleasure). Also, if alcoholism runs in your family or it's been a problem for you, avoid drinking anything alcohol at all costs. Why set yourself up? (Check out CBN.com's article, "What the Bible Says about Alcohol and Alcoholism?")
In 1 Timothy 3, church leaders and followers of Jesus are told to avoid becoming "overfond of wine."
He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. (I Timothy 3:3, NLT)
This is a good rule of thumb for all of us, since we are God’s representatives in this world. If you don't drink, be careful not to condemn believers who do ( ). When in doubt, default your focus to Christ and follow Paul’s advice from .
Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. (The Message)
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