Alcohol

A Biblical Perspective

What should be the attitude of a Christian toward the use of alcoholic beverages? This question frequently stirs the emotions of people on all sides of the issue. To some, the idea that a sincere follower of Christ would drink wine or beer is unthinkable. To these people, total abstinence is the only option for a Christian today. Others, while allowing a believer the option of using alcohol, would quickly add that abstention is a much better choice. Then there are those who feel that their fellow brothers and sisters who demand abstention are quite legalistic in their position. Who is right? More importantly, are any of the above positions right? We must be careful to answer that question from the perspective of God’s Word, not simply from the standpoint of tradition, culture or mere human logic.

Does the Bible address this issue? Indeed, we believe it does. There are well over 200 references to “wine” or “strong drink” in the Old & New Testaments. Some people argue that the “wine” used in Bible times did not have the same alcohol content as the products commonly used today, and therefore we are comparing “apples” to “oranges,” so to speak. Whether or not that is true, it is clear from the Biblical record that drunkenness was a common and well-known phenomenon from even the earliest times. The first recorded instance of drunkenness was that of Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:20-24). Likewise, Lot became drunk and committed incest with his daughters (Genesis 19:31-35). In later times the apostles were falsely suspected of being drunk on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13), and even Jesus Himself was accused of being a “glutton and a drunkard” by those who opposed Him (Matthew 11:19).

As we honestly seek to examine Scripture concerning this issue, the following principles seem to be evident:

Drunkenness is sin.

The Bible is quite clear in its condemnation of the excessive use of alcohol resulting in drunkenness. Believers are even warned not to keep company with those who are called “brothers” but are drunkards (1 Corinthians 5:11). A host of other scripture references warns against the dangers of intemperance in the area of “wine” and “strong drink” (Proverbs 20:1; 21:17; 23:20, 21, 31-35; Isaiah 5:11-12; 28:1-8; Hosea 4:11; Joel 1:5; Nahum 1:10; Habakkuk 2:15; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5: 19-21; Ephesians 5:18). There can be no debate on the issue of whether or not it is acceptable for the Christian to engage in the use of alcohol to the point of drunkenness. Drunkenness is clearly set forth as sin. Rather than being drunk with wine, believers are urged to be “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Scripture does not require the believer to abstain completely from the use of alcoholic beverages.

Those who promote the idea that a Christian should never drink will search in vain to find Biblical support for their position. To be sure, there were occasions when certain people were forbidden to drink, such as those who had taken the Nazarite vow, but these cases were not to be considered normative for everyone. The Bible warns against intemperance, but it does not demand total abstinence. This is not to say that many people might not be well advised to abstain completely in light of their own life situation or background, such as a past struggle with alcoholism. For many Christians, the decision not to drink at all may be a very wise choice. However, this decision is not required of all believers. Jesus Himself apparently was not a “teetotaler” (Matthew 11:19). In fact, His first recorded miracle was that of turning water into wine at Cana of Galilee. Paul advised Timothy to “... use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Elders and Deacons are not to be “addicted” or “given” to wine (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7), but nowhere are they prohibited from using wine in moderation.

True spirituality is not a matter of food or drink, but of the heart.

Jesus said, “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’,” and “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.” (Matthew 15:11, 18). Likewise, Paul tells us “... the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17). The type of food one eats, or the beverages one drinks, can never serve as a true measure of that person’s spiritual condition.

Believers are not to use their freedom in such a way as to cause a brother to stumble.

Paul’s exhortation to the believers at Rome was that “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:21). It is important to note that Paul does not say that we should seek to avoid doing anything that our brother might disagree with. Such a task would be impossible! The exhortation is that we are not to cause our brother to stumble or become weak. For example, there may be two different people in the church who take issue with the use of alcohol. For one person the problem is that he or she has a history of struggling with alcoholism. For the other person, the issue is that he or she holds to a personal conviction that a Christian should never use alcohol. In other words, for the first person the issue is one of experience, while for the second person, the issue is one of belief (or doctrine). A careless use of Christian liberty on my part may well be a cause of stumbling for the first individual, while for the second individual it might simply highlight a disagreement over what constitutes appropriate Christian behavior.

We ought to welcome all true believers, regardless of their choice regarding this issue.

Romans 14 makes it clear that in areas of personal conviction and preference “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5). Furthermore, Paul asks us the penetrating question, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (v.4). Each of us will give account of our own actions before God, and whether my brother chooses to use alcohol or not use alcohol is in reality an issue between himself and God alone. While all of us have the responsibility to warn an erring brother who we know to be living in a way that violates Biblical standards, none of us has the right to impose our own personal standards on a fellow believer. The Christian who chooses to abstain from drinking should not consider himself superior to the one who chooses to drink in moderation, nor should he who chooses to use alcohol feel superior to he who does not.

Christians are to submit to civil government, and obey its laws.

God has ordained civil government for the purpose of maintaining an orderly and safe society in which to live. Government authorities have the right and responsibility to create and enforce laws that promote the general safety and welfare of society. As Christians, we are to submit willingly to civil authority (unless that authority is in direct conflict with God’s commandments). To disobey a legitimate civil ordinance is tantamount to disobeying God, since He has appointed and sanctioned the institutions of civil government (Romans 13:1-7). Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by those who are under the legal age limit, or driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit are not only crimes against the state, but also against God Himself.

Conclusion

We must emphasize that we do not expect all believers to arrive at the same conclusion concerning how they might best please the Lord in this area. It seems abundantly clear that the Biblical mandate is one of temperance, moderation, and self-control. For many people, total abstinence provides a safeguard against a tendency to overindulge. Those who do choose to use alcohol in a responsible manner should guard against allowing their exercise of freedom to become an obstacle for a weaker brother. As a church body, we must always respect each individual’s right to follow the dictates of his or her own conscience. The guiding principle for the life of our church ought to be in keeping with the motto: “In essential things, unity; in doubtful (indifferent) things, liberty; in all things charity (love).”