What Does the Bible Say About Alcohol? Is Drinking It a Sin?

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The Bible’s answer

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It is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation. The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. (Psalm 104:14, 15; Ecclesiastes 3:​13; 9:7) The Bible also acknowledges the medicinal value of wine.​—1 Timothy 5:​23.

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Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. (Matthew 26:29; Luke 7:​34) In one of his well-known miracles, Jesus turned water into wine as a generous gift at a marriage feast.​—John 2:​1-​10.

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Dangers of over drinking

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While the Bible mentions the positive aspects of wine, it condemns over drinking and drunkenness. Thus, a Christian who chooses to drink alcohol would do so only in moderation. (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 2:​2, 3) The Bible gives several reasons to avoid over drinking.

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●        It impairs thinking ability and judgment. (Proverbs 23:29-​35) An intoxicated person cannot fulfill the Bible’s command to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.”​—Romans 12:1.

●        Over drinking removes inhibitions and “the motivation to do what is right.”​—Hosea 4:​11; Ephesians 5:​18.

●        It can lead to poverty and serious health problems.​—Proverbs 23:21, 31, 32.

●         Heavy drinking and drunkenness displease God.​—Proverbs 23:20; Galatians 5:​19-​21.

 

How much is too much?

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A person has had too much alcohol when his drinking puts him or others at risk of harm. According to the Bible, drunkenness is identified, not by a person’s passing out, but by such behaviour as being disoriented, walking unsteadily, becoming contentious, or having slurred speech. (Job 12:25; Psalm 107:27; Proverbs 23:29, 30, 33) Even those who avoid getting drunk can still become “weighed down with . . . heavy drinking” and experience its serious consequences.​—Luke 21:34, 35.

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Complete abstinence

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The Bible also identifies times when Christians should avoid drinking alcohol altogether:

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●         If others would be stumbled by it.​—Romans 14:21.

●        If drinking alcohol violates the law of the land.​—Romans 13:1.

●         If a person cannot control his drinking. Those who suffer from alcoholism and other forms of alcohol abuse must be willing to take drastic action.​—Matthew 5:​29, 30.