Bible Questions and Answers

Is there a direct prohibition against drinking any alcohol at all? No. However, drunkenness is a sin. A person with a pre-disposition to alcoholism must, with God's help, deal with his or her addiction. We all have predispostions to things which are not good for us.  Alcoholism and other forms of addiction are among the most difficult of sinful behaviours to change. However, just because it is difficult does not excuse us from trying our best with God's help to overcome them.

Does the Bible forbid the drinking of alcoholic beverages? It does not. In fact, wine is considered to be a blessing - Deuteronomy 7:13; 33:28; Psalm 104:15; Proverbs 3:10; John 2:3-10; 1 Timothy 5:23; Ephesians 5:18.

However, the Bible does condemn drunkenness - Proverbs 23:21; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Galatians 5:21. Although hard liquor [AV "strong drink"] is not forbidden, there are ample warnings against its dangers. Passages such as Deuteronomy 14:26 indicate that drinking "strong drink" is not wrong in itself but the warnings against over-indulgence are clear. See Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:11,22; 28:7. Alcoholics, with God's help, must overcome their addiction. That's the bottom line. It is not a sufficient excuse for continual bouts of drunkeness. See 2 Corinthians 12:9

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Mike