Is it A Sin To Drink? (occassionally)?

Question

I have heard so many Christians debate over this issue and I have heard "its a sin to drink and Christians should not partake in it" but on the other hand I have heard "its not a sin as long as you dont get drunk". When I use the scripture Ephesians 5:18 when it says "and be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit, I get a response like "it said wine not beer and liquor". So I just wanted to hear from you guys because you all answered the other question so nicely.

Answer 1

It is a sin to be drunk, not to drink. However, this comes with some other issues, such as....does your drinking cause a problem for other folks. If so, then it becomes sin, because you are causing a weaker soul to stumble.
As Paul said, you were freed to be free, but when your freedom runs over anothers weakness then you are sinning.

Answer 2

My friend this is a conscience question: If you can thank God for whatever you are drinking and give Him the honor and glory for what you are about to do... it is not a sin. If you cannot with a good conscience honor God with it: To you it is a sin. It is not what goes into the stomach that defiles, it is that, which comes from the heart that is either good or evil. If you can drink alcohol and do the will of God, go for it. If you are ashamed for anyone to smell it on your breath while you witness for Christ then it is a conviction and to you it is a sin.

Personally I don't feel that I could win too many people over to what I believe about being a Christian if I went to them with an intoxicating drink in my hand and the smell of alcohol on my breath. Would you listen to someone like that? On the other hand, drinking alcohol or wine for medication or for the stomach's sake (as the Bible puts it) is not a sin. In Proverbs it says wine and strong drink is for those who are sick and those who are approaching death. If you took a drink and went to bed and you didn't cause anyone any harm it would be innoscent and not a sin. Unless you drank too much and harmed your body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit: Then it would be a sin against God. For He has bought your body with a great price. This of course, is another story.

Answer 3

An occasional drink isn't a sin. That's not what scripture says. The book basically says don't be a lush. Jesus drank wine and his first (recorded) miracle was turning water into wine, remember? Drinking isn't bad. Excess is bad (with anything).

Answer 4

Well this is going to sound hypocritical...Nut I am a christian and I drink like socially. And I agree with you when it says wine and not beer or liquor. But I don't think it is a sin.

Answer 5

Sin is in the heart so there are various factors here. For what purpose is the drink (ing)? It can be for selfish or other sinful purposes or out of a good motive such as good fellowship at a dinner with others. Also as to unbelievers it is always sin as they do nothing for the glory of God.

Answer 6

snuggableteddyb,
I have the same message for you as I have for most people:
Keep your eyes on Christ, live your convictions.

Many Christians these days are thinking that Chirstians in Jesus time never did anything wrong. They attach names to their names that weren't there before. ST. Paul, ST. Peter, etc. As if they were all pure and wonderful and never would so anything that was wrong ever in their whole life after they were saved.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. They were sinners until the day they died, and some of those are recorded in the Bible. But that didn't mean that they died in their sins. What was it that saved them? What did Jesus say?
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

If you want to use the New Testament as another unbending Law that we must abide by, then what of faith?

Here is the crux of the matter:
Did God move you to abstain from anything that you might enjoy?
If He did, you'd better listen to Him. If it's like most people, He doesn't give a wit what you drink, He's not on that issue with you. But the real problem here is two-fold:
1) You are so out of touch with God because you are allowing Legalists to tell you what God wants you to do, instead of you being sure and ready to be blown about with every wind of doctrine,
2) You have lost sight of what it is you are supposed to be focusing on, faith in Jesus. Instead you are focused on yourself. God can handle you! If He wanted you to change something you do, don't you think that He would do it? It seems like most of the Christian world is stuck on how they look to others, and caring less for how they look to God. God is impressed by faith. It's what makes us recipients of the Holy Spirit, it's what connects us to His grace, it's what we are to live by, in Jesus name.

Answer 7

we all was born in sin so sin is in us. to me we all sin be it drinking,smoking, fornication,or killing. so, to make things right with god is to pray and ask for forgiveness. once you have done this you need to live according to his word. so to answer your question yes if it other than wine because wine is considered his blood which cleanses the soul

Answer 8

Romans 14, 22-23

22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If you drink with a clear and peaceful heart and share your time with others and with faith in Christ, then nothing is sin except what you think is sin becomes sin for you.

Answer 9

No.Getting drunk is. Jesus converted water to wine once.

Answer 10

Put your hand in the hand of Man who stlled the water.