Bible and Alcohol

Time and again a Christian is subjected to the dilemma of alcohol consumption and whether or not it is prohibited by the Bible. Recently I came across a very influential non-Christian speaker who claimed that he was a better Christian ‘than most Christians’ because he did not consume alcohol. According to him, and many other people, the Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol. And therefore, the people who drink them, be it wine or any other ‘strong drink’ (as referred to in the Bible) are breaking a direct command of the Lord almighty. This would mean that several Christians are now at a spot of extreme discomfort because they have been drinking wine and other alcoholic substances. However, would it be a consolation if one were to think about how Jesus himself drank wine, or at least aided in supplying ‘good wine’ to the guests at the wedding feast in Cana? Here then lies another conflict that certain non-Christians would point to in order to demoralize Christianity, that Jesus himself broke the commandment of the Bible by consuming wine.

What if the Bible never prohibited alcohol consumption in the first place? What if many people had the faulty assumption that the Bible prohibited alcohol? What if many Christians themselves were unaware of what the Bible actually told about wine or alcohol?

Let it be clear that the Bible DOES NOT prohibit wine or alcohol consumption, nor is it mentioned in any book (of the Bible) that wine is not to be consumed (context to be noted if said otherwise).

It is important at this juncture to acknowledge the fact that wine was a very important part of the Jewish tradition and culture (Jesus was a Jew, just in case you were not aware of it). It was served at all important functions like weddings, circumcisions and the like. It also formed an integral part of the daily meals on the table. Quite incidentally the first miracle performed by Jesus involved turning water into wine. Moving on, let us now look into what the Bible says about drinking. Most people who claim that the Bible prohibits wine quote the following verses: 

1. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.’ (Proverbs 20:1) 
2. ‘Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit…’ (Ephesians 5:18) 
3. ‘It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.’ (Romans 14:21)

The Bible provides so many more verses in this regard and it would only take a mouse click for one to browse through the biblical verses about alcohol.

A very basic knowledge of the language would make it clear that the Bible is not prohibiting alcohol in anyway in the above verses; rather, it is a warning against being ‘led astray’, or getting ‘drunk’. Since it was obvious that too much of wine would get us drunk, God was merely warning us that wine was dangerous when consumed to such an extent that one cannot differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. This brings us to the third verse mentioned above, that it would be better not to drink wine if we would be led astray by it and pose a threat to our brother or sister. There is absolutely no problem in drinking wine or alcohol however, one should pay heed to the fact that when we consume wine we need to be aware of our own selves and ensure that we do not lose consciousness of who we are and where we are, thereby, we should be able to differentiate between what is good and what is wrong (by biblical standards of course).

Moreover, the Bible clearly states that ‘If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.’ (1 Corinthians 3:17). This would very simply mean that, one who indulges in wine or anything that is a threat to the body and mind, the gift of God, are committing a grave sin and will face the penalty, in this case, destruction.

Also, when any substance/person becomes more important to us than God, then we break the first commandment of the Lord ‘I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me’.

In several cases, drinking wine becomes an addiction and this addiction, many claim, is a means of recreation or space to cope with one’s problems and the like. However, God is the help that we need to seek at such times and replacing God with alcohol or any other such object would be synonymous to worshiping a different god. Meanwhile, it could pose serious biological and psychological problems that would lead to the defilement of the temple of God, our self.

Consuming wine does not guarantee that we are walking towards addiction and breaking God’s commandments, however, one should drink wine with caution and ensure that we have complete control over what we are engaging with.

Very interestingly the Bible goes on to say that ‘No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.’ (1 Timothy 5:23). That would mean that the Bible does recommend wine in case of ailments. This should lead us to the fact that Bible has never prohibited wine; instead it has recommended wine (of course for a specific purpose).

Hence, the simple point that I would like to make is that the Bible has not prohibited consumption of alcohol but only given restrictions and warnings so that one may not get addicted to this substance. Anyone who claims that Christians are not supposed to drink alcohol, have wrongly interpreted the Bible. One is always free to choose to drink alcohol or not, as long as it does not affect one’s body and mind or replace God in anyway. However, if drinking alcohol or spending time amidst those who indulge in alcohol would invite trouble or cause one to sin, it is always better to stay away from it. After all Jesus said, ‘And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.’ (Matthew 5:30). In the context of this discussion, if alcohol or people who drink alcohol ‘causes you to sin’, it is better to avoid it altogether. No harm will come out of it. Prevention is always better than cure.