Drinking alcohol is not a sin in itself. The Bible never makes a blanket command against drinking, and it even describes wine as a gift. But Scripture clearly condemns drunkenness, and it warns against being controlled by anything. Drinking also becomes sinful when it breaks the law, harms the people we love, or becomes our way of coping with stress instead of turning to God.
The Bible Doesn’t Forbid All Drinking
Many Christians grew up believing any alcohol was off-limits. But we want to know what the Bible says, not just what tradition says. Scripture never commands everyone to avoid alcohol. In fact, Solomon described wine as part of a joyful life.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Paul even told Timothy to drink a little wine for his health.
1 Timothy 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
Jesus himself drank wine at the Passover meal with his disciples, and his first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). The wine of that time was often weaker than today’s, but it was still wine.
Drunkenness Is Clearly a Sin
While drinking isn’t forbidden, the Bible is not ambiguous about drunkenness.
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Scripture warns that drunkenness leads to poverty, conflict, and foolish choices (Proverbs 23:20-21).
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
The Bible also shows the brutal consequences of drunkenness. Noah and Lot both made shameful choices after drinking too much (Genesis 9:20-23, 19:30-36). Paul lists drunkenness alongside other sins that have no place in God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Don’t Be Mastered by Anything
Even if you stop short of getting drunk, alcohol can still become a problem. If you need a drink to get through the day, or if alcohol is your go-to when you’re stressed or frustrated, it has too much control.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
This principle isn’t unique to alcohol. Anything that controls us, whether coffee, sugar, or social media, can become sinful. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). When we’re stressed, God wants to be our refuge (Psalm 91:1-2). If you’re struggling, read Steps to Recovery: Moving Out of Denial.
When Drinking Is Unwise
There are many situations where drinking would be sinful, or at least unwise:
- When it’s against the law, such as underage drinking.
- When you have a tendency toward addictive behavior.
- When your spouse prefers that you don’t drink.
- When you’re struggling financially or in debt.
- When drinking would cause someone else to stumble.
Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), and church leaders are called to be above reproach and not given to drunkenness (1 Timothy 3:2-3). Freedom in Christ is never an excuse to ignore the people around us.
The Takeaway
Drinking alcohol is not a sin in itself, but drunkenness is. Christians must not be mastered by alcohol or use it to cope instead of turning to God. Before drinking, consider the law, your own tendencies, your family, and the people around you.
