Does the bible teach against drinking?

Question

In drinking I am referring to alchoholic beverages.

Answer 1

Not explicitly, but it does warn that drinking can be dangerous and should be consumed in moderation. Many Christians and denominations choose to not drink in order to live a more Holy life, but that is a choice that they have made on thier own.

Answer 2

If it is well advised by an able physician, such as St. Paul speaking to Timothy to use "a little" to help with his weak constitution. A person in good health is asked to avoid it, the sick only a little for pain, and digestive aid by a wise physician.

Scientific research has already well pointed out that most people do not benefit in any manner from any strong drink, the exception being red wine, of no more than 2 glasses a day for the average size man, and less for woman because the effects are stronger and longer lasting in woman.

The "new wine" that is referred to is allegorical, it is what intoxicates to spirit of mankind, and enliven the mind with joy, and lucidity. Spiritual wine is indeed good because it uplifts the soul and spreads the increase of love thru gladsome manners, and attitudes, but physical wine inebriates the senses, and diminishes the will in even small amounts.

I have never met anyone who claims they handle drinking well, to perform tasks of meditation, contemplation, or any cognitive function necessary for a full spiritual life as well as they do before it, no matter how accustomed to it, and how little they've had. It is evident as a poison due simply to its effects on the liver and the person's ability to function. Besides that it is miscable with water, and by their joining the water is functionally lost and dehydration ensues. Coffee being a vaso-constrictor [narrows the blood vessels] can worsen it by expelling even more fluid.

If you are to drink at all, it should be wisely; drink only at meals, and let it be red wine, and limit it to no more than recommended by your physician. Do not fail to drink water, this is a must, especially before drinking the wine. If you notice it slows down your ability to process, or think, then cease. If the smell or taste has offended at any point from starting, even if only the first time, your body has smelled its poison.

No one has ever died from alcohol deficiency, but a great many have died to due its use, whether immediate, or delayed...

AA [Alcoholics anonymous] has called more people to being saved than A [alcohol] ever could...

Answer 3

The Apostle Paul said all things are good, in moderation.

The Bible also says a little wine is good for the body.

I guess if you don't get drunk you know, just drink wine with a meal. Maybe one or two hard
drinks then why not.

A quiick note: Jesus turned water into wine. It was considered new wine, or grape juice

Answer 4

Dang I was hoping on saying "Drinking what? Water? Soda?" but now I got to think of something else.

The Bible does not, to my knowledge, talk about total sobriety, at the most it condemns drunkenness. I believe there is even scripture in Psalms or Proverbs saying that if someone is suffering, give them alcohol. So it might be correctly said "You can consume alcohol, but it cannot consume you"

Answer 5

Scripture contains many warnings regarding the drinking of alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4,7,14; 1 Samuel 1:15; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4,6; Isaiah 5:11,22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12; Micah 2:11; Luke 1:15). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs “drink wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:11 encourages “yes, come buy wine and milk…”



What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or might encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say he is drinking alcohol to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).



Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation efforts, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but necessarily not to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. Again, Scripture does not necessarily forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is, rather, drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12).



Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful or addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Drunkenness and addiction are sin. However, due to the Biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to over-consumption of alcohol, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others – it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol.

Answer 6

Proverbs 20-
1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Ephesians 5:18

18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Answer 7

For the people who say That Jesus turned water into wine. Why don't you actually do some research before you use this. In the earlier times, wine was basically grape juice, then didn't let it set until much later.

And no it just says not to get drunk, but the thing we have a roblem with is it can destroy your body, and some people get additicted to it.

Answer 8

I don't think it Say's you can't drink,Jesus after all turned water into wine for a friends wedding when they ran out.But I do know we are not supposed to get drunk because then we are not in control of ourselves and anything can happen that we'll regret later.So drinking in moderation is OK but drinking excessively is not.

Answer 9

It teaches that the best wine comes straight from the fields of Glasgow! lol It teaches moderation and that wine as medicinal value.

Answer 10

No. It teaches against drunkenness though.

"But now I am writing to you to stop associating with any so-called brother if he is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunk, or a robber. With such a person you must even stop eating." (I Corinthians 5:11)

"Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)