Today we’re starting a new series called, “Is it a sin?” We’re looking at behaviors and habits that I would think most people in the church have historically looked upon as sinful. As always, we want to know what the Bible says about it, not just what tradition says. Are they sinful? Are they always sinful, sometimes sinful? If they’re sometimes sinful, what makes them that way sometimes but not at other times? Today’s topic – drinking alcohol.
There is no place in scripture that makes a blanket statement forbidding everyone from drinking alcohol. Solomon encouraged his readers to drink their wine with a happy heart. Paul encouraged Timothy to drink a little wine for the sake of his stomach.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!
1 Timothy 5:23 Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.
- Clearly there is a medicinal purpose that Paul has in mind, but he’s still encouraging Timothy to drink wine. It’s widely believed that the wine in Jesus’ time was weaker and Jews often diluted it with water. But it’s still wine.
Isaiah 25:6 In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
- Jesus drank wine at the Passover meal. Jesus was perfect, sinless.
- Jesus said he wouldn’t drink from the vine until he drank it anew in the kingdom of heaven.
Drunkenness
Drunkenness is clearly a sin. The bible is not ambiguous about it. In addition to its prohibition in Scripture, we see the consequences of drunkenness can be brutal.
Proverbs 23:20-21 Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, 21 for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
- Those led astray can not be wise.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Consequences of drunkenness can be brutal
- Jacob married Leah instead of Rachel. Wives were veiled during the ceremony. Scripture says Laban prepared a great feast. Wine certainly would have been present. I think this had to play a role in Jacob not knowing it was Leah until in the morning.
- Lot sleeping with his daughters
Drinking when it’s against man’s law
- Underage
- Open container law
Even if you stop short of getting drunk, if you have to have a drink to make it through the day, or if alcohol is your “go to” when dealing with stress or frustration, that is sinful.
1 Corinthians 6:12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
- Alcohol isn’t unique – anything that controls would be sinful – coffee, sugar, social media. We are told not to be a slave to anything. Self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Psalm 91:1-4 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 This I declare about the Lord:He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
There are a lot of situations where drinking alcohol might be sinful, and at the very least, it would be unwise
- You have a tendency towards addictive behavior.
- Your spouse prefers you not drink.
- Ephesians 5 – we’re called to love our wives like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
- You’re struggling financially or in debt.
- Church leaders are called to be above reproach 1 Timothy 3:2
