When Mark first became a Christian at age 28, he faced an unexpected dilemma at his best friend’s wedding. As the waiter offered champagne for the toast, Mark hesitated — was it okay for him to take a sip?
The Bible doesn’t outright prohibit alcohol, but it has a lot to say about how we approach it. Understanding the full picture of Scripture helps us make wise, God-honoring decisions.
The Bible mentions wine and strong drink over 200 times. Some passages celebrate it as a blessing, while others issue stern warnings.
In the Old Testament, wine is often associated with God’s blessings. Psalm 104:14-15 says God gives “wine that gladdens human hearts.” At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
Paul even advised Timothy to “use a little wine because of your stomach” (1 Timothy 5:23), suggesting a practical and positive use.
The Bible consistently condemns drunkenness. Proverbs 23:29-35 gives a vivid description of the consequences of too much wine. Ephesians 5:18 commands, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.”
Galatians 5:19-21 lists drunkenness among the “works of the flesh,” making it clear that losing control through alcohol is contrary to the Spirit-filled life.
Romans 14 teaches that Christians have freedom in areas not explicitly forbidden — but this freedom should be exercised in love. Paul writes, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else if it causes your brother or sister to fall” (Romans 14:21, NIV).
In biblical times, wine was a common part of daily life. Clean drinking water wasn’t always available, so diluted wine served a practical purpose. The wine was typically lower in alcohol content than modern wines.
Jewish tradition celebrated wine during festivals and Sabbath meals, and Jesus participated in these customs. However, the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) included abstaining from wine, showing that voluntarily giving up alcohol could also be devotion.
Here’s how to apply biblical wisdom about alcohol:
The question isn’t simply “can I?” but “should I, and how does this glorify God?” When we approach every area of life with that question, we’re on the right path.