Is It OK For Christians To Drink Alcohol?

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It’s not unbiblical to drink alcohol – however, it is unbiblical to drink alcohol to excess, and to get drunk:

• The Bible teaches that whoever gets drunk will be led astray:
• ‘Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise’ (Pr 20:1)
• ‘Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags’ (Pr 23:20-21)

• God’s Word also teaches that getting drunk leads to hallucinations and addiction to alcohol:
• ‘Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”’ (Pr 23:29-35)
• ‘Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands’ (Is 5:11-12)
• ‘Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks’ (Is 5:22)

• The Bible also teaches that getting drunk leads to sexual sin:
• ‘Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory’ (Hb 2:15-16)
• ‘Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit’ (Eph 5:18)

It’s OK to have a glass of wine with dinner, or a beer with your friends, but drinking heavily with the intention of getting drunk, is dishonouring to God and His Word.

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