The Bible speaks clearly about drinking alcohol, or “strong drink” as it is
called in Scripture. Before I give an answer to this question, we must
search the Scriptures to determine what God says. Let’s begin by looking
at passages in the Old Testament. Then we’ll look at some in the New
Testament that address this issue.
By Shari Abbott, Reasons for Hope* Jesus

OLD TESTAMENT PROHIBITIONS
We find a specific prohibition in Leviticus when God instructed His people
about acceptable service in the Tabernacle. Speaking to Aaron, the High
Priest, the Lord said:
Leviticus 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with
thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall
be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
Another commandment prohibiting any consumption of wine or strong
drink was given specifically to those who took a Nazarite vow.
Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and
shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he
drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

NEW TESTAMENT PROHIBITIONS
The only mention of forbidding wine or strong drink in the Gospel
accounts is in reference to John the Baptist. When the angel Gabriel
spoke to Zacharias and proclaimed that the baby Elisabeth was carrying
would be named John, the angel also decreed that John would be under
the command of Numbers 6:3 , which not only forbid wine, but also
grapes and raisins. He was not to partake of anything of the vine.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer
is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call
his name John.
Luke 1:15 For he [John the Baptist] shall be great in the sight of the Lord,
and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the
Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
All of these specific commands about abstaining totally from wine or
strong drink were given under the Old Covenant (before the cross). They
were given to specific people, under specific circumstances and for
specific reasons.

THE CHURCH AGE
So what about blood-bought, Holy Spirit in-dwelt and sealed Christians
during this time in which we live? What does the Bible tells us about
alcohol consumption?
We must first remember that the passages above are not commands
given to New Covenant, Church Age believers who are in-dwelt with the
Holy Spirit. However, we must also remember that the Old Testament
writings (under the Old Covenant) provide us with a great deal of
instruction about responsible use of alcohol. We should never diminish
the instruction in righteousness that we find in God’s Word prior to the
cross. Paul was very clear on this.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope.
Under the New Covenant we have been given great liberty in Christ, but
along with that liberty comes responsibility. The apostle Paul was clear on
the fact that, even though something might be permissible for us, it might
not be beneficial for us.
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

The Bible’s AA: Alcohol Admonitions
THE CLEAR WARNING
The Bible clearly warns about the use of alcohol. Beginning in the Old
Testament we find many verses that are not a prohibition against strong
drink and wine, but are certainly an admonition against partaking or a
warning about the dangers.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 31:4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink
wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and
pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may
follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them.
Responsible Permissions
We also find verses that support responsible consumption of wine by the
people of Israel, and verses that remind us wine is a by-product of a fruit
of the vine. The grape vine and its fruit were given by God to His people,
and fermentation of the grapes into wine was the method of preserving
the juice of the grape from one harvest until the next.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with
a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Amos 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and
they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant
vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat
the fruit of them.
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that
hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Psalm 104:14-15 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for
the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine
that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and
bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
There are other verses that speak about wine consumption in the Old
Testament and each is important for our instruction, but let’s look at
verses that speak directly to Christians who are under the New Covenant.

PAUL'S WARNINGS
Paul’s letters tell us clearly that we are not to abuse alcohol and get
drunk. We are specifically told to be of sound mind and body at all times.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit.
Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the
power of any.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us
watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be
drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of
salvation

PAUL'S TEACHINGS
The biblical teachings about our minds and bodies are very clear:
We are not to be mastered by anything (i.e. addicted to anything), but we
are to live in submission to the Holy Spirit and God’s revealed will in the
Scriptures ( 1 Corinthians 6:12 , Romans 8:5 ).
We are to take every thought captive for Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ), and
not allow our minds to be taken captive by alcohol ( Romans 8:6 ).
We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to
God ( Romans 12:1 ).
A person whose mind and body is under the influence of wine (or any
alcoholic beverage) is neither holy nor acceptable. Holy means to be set
apart from the world and acceptable means to have a pure heart and
clean hands. Slurred speech and alcohol-influenced thoughts and words do
not glorify God. Instead, they often defame His name, misrepresent His
truths and damage our testimony. The apostle James speaks about the
tongue as a fire ( James 3:6 ). Do not flame that fire with the fuel of
alcohol.
While the New Testament gives similar warnings as found in the Old
Testament about excessive alcohol consumption, we also find words that
confirm that the responsible use of alcohol is permissible.
1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy
stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. [note: While this was
fermented wine containing alcohol, it likely did not contain the same level
of alcohol that many modern day wines contain.]
We also find nowhere in the New Testament where Jesus condemned or
prohibited wine or strong drink. In fact, Jesus turned water into wine at
the wedding in Cana ( John 2:1-11 ) and spoke of how to preserve wine
( Matthew 9:17 ) when teaching His disciples about the old and the new.

CONCLUSIONS
Is it a sin to drink alcohol? This question is not about whether alcohol
consumption is dangerous or if it can cause someone to sin. It asks if
drinking alcohol is a sin. My answer is no, it is not a sin. There is nothing
in Scripture that says it is, so we cannot make laws where God has not
done so. There was alcohol during biblical times and God did not forbid it,
except under certain circumstances and to specific people. Therefore, we
cannot tell our brothers and sisters in Christ (or non-Christians) that they
are sinning against God if they have a drink of alcohol. We can tell them
that they are sinning against God if the alcohol takes any control over
their mind or body. God clearly forbids that and declares drunkenness to
be a sin.
That said, I quickly add and warn that alcohol consumption can lead to
sin. Alcohol can be a gateway to engaging in sin. It is no different than
surfing the Internet. Surfing the Internet is not a sin, but it can be a
gateway to sin. Nor is owning a gun a sin, but it can be used to commit
sin, and therefore be another gateway to sin. Even watching TV. That is
not a sin, but with much of today’s programming it can cause someone
to sin. Most things are not sinful, in and of themselves or in the basic
nature of the activity.
JESUS' WORDS
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that
which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Remember that alcohol, and many other things, can be a door, or gateway,
through which sin can enter. A decision to
drink, or not to drink, alcohol is a very personal decision. One must
honestly discern their own ability to avoid consumption of anything that
will take control over their thoughts, words and actions.
With the understanding of the dangers of alcohol consumption, many
Christians feel it is best to abstain entirely. They understand that only by
abstaining can they fully protect themselves from opening a door to sin—
which grieves God and damages their testimony and their witness for the
Lord.
Remember, we are to keep our focus on Christ and be filled to
abundance with the Holy Spirit ( Ephesians 5:18 ). In Christ we find our our strength to live in a manner that honors and glorifies Him. It
should always be our goal to present ourselves in a way that we are a
testimony for Christ in all our thoughts, words and actions.
So while responsible, limited consumption of alcohol is not a sin, be very
discerning before you take any alcoholic drink and very cautious if you do
so. We have liberty in Christ to do all things… EXCEPT sin—and alcohol
consumption can very easily lead to sin.
If you are considering taking even one small drink, first remember this
verse:
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

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