Christians and Drinking – Focus on the Family
What does the Bible say about moderate alcohol consumption? I see an increasing openness to social drinking in our circle of Christian friends. In fact, this seems to be the new norm, but I’m not sure I feel comfortable with it.
Opinions about social drinking vary widely in the Christian community; equally committed believers find themselves on opposite sides of the question. But like you, we’ve noticed a trend toward accepting casual use of alcohol in evangelical circles — especially among young adults.
It’s not our place to lay down the law here, because this is one of those gray areas of Christian life and conduct where everyone needs to be “fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5, ESV). Still, we have a few thoughts that might be helpful as you draw your own conclusions.
Drunkeness vs. Self-Control
The Bible never gives detailed instructions about drinking. It does, however, give principles every Christian should consider. Bottom line: Scripture prohibits drunkenness, not drinking. If a Christian choosees to consume alcohol, they should do so with moderation and self-control.
- Several passages in God’s Word openly condemn drunkenness (see Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and 1 Peter 4:3). Most notably, Ephesians 5:18 prohibits intoxication, contrasting it with being controlled by the Holy Spirit: “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (ESV). In other words, Scripture warns us that excessive drinking can cause us to lose control of our minds and bodies. That is clearly sinful.
- But the Bible doesn’t say that all alcoholic consumption is wrong. Jesus didn’t hesitate to turn water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12). And Paul advised Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (I Timothy 5:23).
How does your drinking affect you — and others?
Christians have a responsibility to regulate all of their behavior in every area of life according to the law of love (James 2:8). So drinking should be handled with prayer and careful consideration.
- If someone does decide to drink, they should guard against the progressive nature of alcoholism (the tendency to move from a free choice to a chemical addiction). It’s particularly important to be aware of any family history related to alcoholism, as this can increase the chances of a person losing control.
- Minors should obey the law and abstain from any use of alcohol.
- Remember the advice Paul gives about stumbling blocks in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33: The question we should ask ourselves isn’t what may or may not be permissible — that’s a self-centered approach. Instead, we should ask how our choices (and how we communicate our perspectives) might impact other people (Philippians 2:3-4). https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/christians-and-social-drinking/
10 Reasons Why Christians Shouldn’t Drink
1. It ruins your testimony
It can ruin your testimony you have for Christ. How you can witness for Christ then go around taking a drink, even just a small drink. It looks bad on you and your witness for Christ.
2. It’s addictive
Drinking is addictive. Before you know it becomes an easy habit and you will always want to have a drink for one reason or another. Soon you will become dependent on the alcohol. We usually use drinking as an escape clause, instead of turning to Jesus. When we do this, we say Jesus is not important and not first in our life.
3. Imperative you
It can impair you, cause a cloud of judgement or thinking. You are not able to thinking straight, even with the tiniest amount of drink. It will cause you to stumble. It will cause you to say stuff you will regret, do stuff you regret too. Even one drink will weaken you.
4. Drink pleasures the flesh
Acts against the flesh is a sin. Drink is pleasuring the flesh. You begin to lust after the drink and want it more than you do anything with God. After all our bodies are a temp of God. God said be sober-minded!
5. Drinking leads to drunkenness
Drinking can lead to you wanting to drink more and more. The more you drink the greater the chances of you becoming drunk and wanting more to drink.
6. Destroys families/friends/relationships
It can destroy your relationships such as your friends and family. It can cause separation and anxiety between you and them. The drinking often will cause you to do things you don’t realize you did or say things you didn’t realize you said all because you are not being sober-minded and are impaired. Once we do things and or say things it is hard to take them back.
7. It can kill you or others
Drinking can lead to you killing someone else or you being killed. According to Project Know, there are 79,000 deaths each year in the United States dealing with Alcohol.
8. Lead others to drink
If your kids see you drink, they will drink. Also, how can you enforce or tell your children not to drink, when you drink yourself? You will be saying do as I say, not as I do. As a parent you have to set the example to your child. You cannot tell your child not to drink, if you are drinking yourself! Plus, if you claim that you are a Christian and other people see you drinking, they will think it is okay to drink too. They won’t see a difference between you and them.
9. Destroys body
It can destroy your body by damaging your kidneys, liver and other organs. Did you know that they use Aldehydes in most drinks, that is also used in formaldehyde which is a form of a liquid preservative animals and parts, but not our organs. It also dehydrates and takes stuff away from your body. Alcohol gets rid of the water supply, nutrients, B Vitamins, calcium, magnesium and even potassium too. It also affects your digestive system and blood system too. Plus damages your brain.
10. Cost money
It cost money, money. Money that could be well spent on the family, tithes, helping others that need help instead. Often people will buy a drink over buying needs for the home. Most would rather buy some booze over much-needed food. Not to mention, it is an expensive habit. We will tend to get behind on bills so we can have that next drink.
Bible references for 10 Reasons why Christians Shouldn’t Drink
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 23:31-35
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Isaiah 5:11
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them!
Proverbs 23:20
Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
Romans 13:13
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 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.
Ephesians 5:18
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 14:21 NKJV
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 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? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Ephesians 5:18
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Leviticus 10:9
“Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations,
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2 Corinthians 6:17
Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Philippians 2:15
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Closing
10 Reasons why Christians Shouldn’t Drink as listed above give us good reasons why we as Christians should avoid any kind of intoxicating drink(s).
Don’t buy the lies of the devil
The devil can and will use your impairment to his advantage and cause you to stumble even more too. Do not allow that to happen to you because it will ruin your testimony. By drinking it is the same thing as, dragging our Saviors name in the mud. Save your children and future generations of your family by simply not drinking! https://www.courageouschristianfather.com/10-reasons-why-christians-shouldnt-drink/