What does the Bible teach about drinking?

The topic of whether or not believers should drink alcoholic beverages gets a variety of answers in churches. The answers often range from believers having no limitations on drinking alcohol to the opposite extreme of total abstinence from alcoholic beverages and not supporting businesses that sell alcohol.  Many churches have lifestyle covenants or membership commitments that you must sign and agree to follow when becoming church members, with verbiage such as – demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from destructive substances (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, etc.). Obviously, many churches have policies or covenants about the drinking of alcohol.  However, what does the Bible actually teach about drinking?  Are believers permitted or even allowed to drink alcoholic beverages?  If so, how much is acceptable?

 

In the Old Covenant, you find there was a stringent ordinance against the priests drinking any wine or fermented drink whenever entering into the Tent of Meeting, with the consequences of dying.  The Aaronic priests needed to distinguish between the holy and the uncommon, since they taught the Israelites all of the decrees the Lord gave them through Moses. (Leviticus 10:8-11)  Even the Nazirites – Israelite men and women who made a special vow of separation, before bringing an offering to the priests at the entrance to the Tent of the Meeting – were required to abstain from drinking any wine or fermented drink during the length of their vows. (Numbers 6:1-3)  The angel Gabriel also gave similar instructions to Zechariah concerning his son John (the Baptist), before he was born, in that John was never to consume any wine or fermented drinks, as he would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. (Luke 1:13-16)

King Solomon also taught against the pitfalls of letting wine and alcoholic drinks get the upper hand on your better judgments in properly handling situations. (Proverbs 23:19-21, 29-35)  King Solomon even mentioned how kings or rulers should not drink wine or alcoholic beverages, for the fear that they drink too much and forget their responsibilities for protecting the rights of the oppressed.

“It is...not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” (Proverbs 31:4-5 NIV)

 

However, King Solomon did not teach abstinence from alcohol for all people.  He only warned leaders to use caution when consuming alcohol in that it could distort their judgments in making important decisions.  On the contrary, King Solomon actually spoke about how some people should use alcohol for medicinal purposes, to help alleviate pain and suffering.  The Apostle Paul gave similar instructions for Timothy to drink a little alcohol for his physical ailments.  Likewise, Jesus Christ gave a parable about the Good Samaritan using oil and wine to help heal the wounds of a person beat up by robbers.

“Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7 NIV)

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (I Timothy 5:23 NIV)

”’A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.’” (Luke 10:30, 31-34 NIV)

Obviously, there are various verses that include drunkenness among the lists of sins.  However, these lists always emphasize the sin as being drunkenness or drinking too much wine or alcoholic beverages – not drinking wine or alcoholic beverages.

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived:  Neither the sexually immoral…nor drunkards…will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV)

“But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or…a drunkard….” (I Corinthians 5:11 NIV)

There are no direct commands saying that believers must completely abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages.  On the contrary, there are several passages that teach believers should use caution in the consumption of wine and alcoholic beverages, and to even use discretion with the use of such beverages while in the presence of others who may become offended or even weak due to alcoholic tendencies.

“’Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial.  ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive.  Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (I Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-33 NIV)

Overall, Scripture commands individuals to refrain from the excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.  However, believers are permitted to drink alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner and in moderation for medicinal and/or dining purposes.  On the contrary, Scripture teaches that believers who drink alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner may have situations where they may refrain from drinking, such as being the presence of individuals who may be tempted, offended or made weak by the presence of alcoholic beverages being consumed.

In summary, as believers mature, they will understand the importance of responsibly using alcohol as well as being concerned with the welfare of others whom may or may not consume alcoholic beverages.  Likewise, believers in leadership positions should heed the advice of many Biblical leaders who taught the importance of using caution with the use of wine and alcoholic beverages…especially since they are held to a higher standard due to their direct sphere of influence on many believers.  As for whether or not believers should drink alcoholic beverages, the decision should be left up to individual believers as the Lord guides them according to their unique situations and spheres of influence.