Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Alcohol consumption is a recognized global public health issue. But is it an issue for you? The argument I hear most often from people defending their right to drink alcohol is something similar to, “Alcohol might be a problem for others, but not for me. I can handle my alcohol.” Certainly, Christians wouldn’t have a problem with alcohol, would they? Or do they? For many self-proclaimed Christians, alcohol consumption simply isn’t a big deal. Is it a big deal? Should Christians drink alcohol? The topic of alcohol consumption has been largely debated amongst Christians for a long time. I personally know a pastor from a Baptist church who says that preaching on alcohol is “meddling” and shouldn’t be done. But is it meddling? If it actually does concern me, can it be considered meddling? If it concerns everyone I love, can it be considered meddling?

I will openly admit that the issue of alcohol consumption is not an essential doctrine that needs to be defended. I don’t need to convene another council to attain clarity on the matter, nor could another council enforce the right decision. For this decision can only be made out from love. However, because of the reasons that will follow, I do believe this subject matter must be considered as something of great importance that warrants investigation and examination.

First, I shall present the case as to why alcohol is not bad in and of itself. Then, I’ll present my case as to why Christians should not consume alcohol and why they should eliminate it from their lives. All I’m asking you to do is to commit yourself to being open-minded and to prayerfully ponder on every word I spent hours of my time to write. And why did I write this? Because I love you. Because you matter to me and you matter to GOD. So, before you decide to defend your right to consume alcohol, please consider all that follows.

In reference to foods, Paul wrote, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1Timothy 4:4-5). This indicates that no category of food is off limits in principle. In fact, some medical studies have declared that ingesting small amounts of alcohol (such as wine) can lead to moderate health benefits. Moreover, references to wine in the Bible are sometimes presented positively (Psalm 104:15; 1Timothy 5:23). Further, Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-12). Will taking a drink of alcohol send you to Hell? No.

Nonetheless, GOD has called us to be Holy (Leviticus 10:10; 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7,26) and to make wise decisions (Proverbs 3:21-23). Some Christians insist on their right to indulge in alcohol, noting that the Bible gives them the freedom to do so (1Corinthians 10:23-24). But Romans 14 reminds us that our consumption choices have an impact on those who are observing our Christian witness, gauging whether the Christ we serve makes any difference in our lives and possibly patterning their own lives on the decisions we make. Therefore, Paul warns, “If your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love… It is a good thing not to… drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble” (read Romans 14:13-23). For if a Christian’s casual drinking contributes to someone falling into alcoholism, that is a very serious matter indeed. GOD’s Word tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Corinthians 10:31). Also, consider all that follows.

Underage drinking is illegal. Minors are still subject to the authority of their parents and law enforcement officers. Further, growing humans should not hinder their growth. Typically, minors don’t make the best decisions and alcohol wouldn’t help them make good decisions. That’s true for minors, but what about adults? When has alcohol ever helped adults make good decisions? The Bible repeatedly states that drunkenness is a dangerous and foolish sin (see the “Purity” article in the conclusion). It is wrong to be addicted to or mastered by any substance, including alcohol (see the “Break Every Chain” article in the conclusion). Many people, in fact, are prone to alcohol addiction. It’s a simple truth that those who never drink can never become addicted.

The use of alcohol has been linked to multiple adverse side effects: traffic accidents, birth defects, public embarrassment, broken marriages and/or families, and deaths caused by people under the influence of alcohol. What goes into the body can profoundly impact a future shaping thoughts, influencing career goals, contributing to choices, and even impacting overall health. I have yet to hear from anyone who drinks how alcohol actually enhances or advances their lives or how it blesses anyone in their lives. Max Lucado said, “One thing for sure, I have never heard anyone say, ‘A beer makes me feel more Christlike’… Fact of the matter is this: People don’t associate beer with Christian behavior.” I’ve yet to see how alcohol improves someone’s testimony or makes anyone a more effective witness for Christ. Quite the contrary, like Richard Roberts (Oral Roberts’ son), who was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, driving under the influence, the result doesn’t enhance your testimony; rather, it takes away from what testimony you had.

For a moment, let us forget about making a definitive case for or against ‘drinking’ from the Bible. Here’s the truth from logic and real life. Who begins drinking alcohol with a goal of becoming an alcoholic? Many people claim that they are only social drinkers, but whoever claimed that it was his/her ambition to someday lose his/her job, health, self-respect, marriage, and/or family? I’ve never met one alcoholic who told me that his/her childhood goal was to be dependent on alcohol to get through the day. Yet, this is the destination at which several millions of people have arrived. Why do you suppose that is? For reasons I will later list, it is evident that people are being indoctrinated into believing that alcohol consumption is normal and should be accepted and integrated into our daily lives. Alcohol is promoted and elevated as a normal/sophisticated activity in life. It is the most dangerous legal drug; it is also expensive, addictive and enslaving. And just like all illegal drugs, alcohol — though legal — still finds its way into the body, the bloodstream and the brain of the user/abuser. Legalizing a drug doesn’t alter its function and main objective.

Could you live with the knowledge that your dangerous exercise of Christian liberty factored into your children’s ruin? Or, if your loved one is killed some day in a head on collision by a driver under the influence who crossed the center line, will you still defend the consumption of alcohol? All the horror stories I have ever experienced, read, and heard regarding alcohol could fill countless pages in a book: the teenaged girl losing her virginity while under the influence, the college student brain-damaged after a fraternity initiation, the young minister involved in a terrible wreck after having just a couple of beers to relax, and scores of others. It is no coincidence that one-third of suicide attempts are alcohol related. In fact, a guy I knew recently died from his consumption of hand sanitization liquid. And no — his childhood dream was not to inadvertently kill himself through his alcohol addiction. But he had grown up believing that alcohol was a normal part of life and that there’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol. Why did he believe this? Why does the majority of America believe this?

The alcohol industry spends about $2 billion dollars on advertising each year to encourage the consumption of alcoholic beverages! If they are able to spend that much money to merely advertise their products, they must make a lot more off sales, correct? Examine yourself! Do you know what $2 billion could do for the people living in this world who are without food and shelter? Americans spend over $90 billion dollars total on alcohol each year. $90 billion!!! On self-destruction! Now, let’s add that total with the amount that people spend on cigarettes and drugs… There is no other way to say it — it is heartbreaking! Devastating. Infuriating. If only we could unite together and use that money to help others instead of feeding our selfish desires, then it could very well be possible to have peace on Earth. Many people are choosing to live in ignorance so that they may selfishly pursue pleasure over purpose. What could $90 billion do for those living without enough food or without shelter? How many lives could be changed for the better with $90 billion? But instead, that money has been wasted on selfish desires. We must look at the big picture, not just the here and now. We must consider the ramifications of our actions. We are meant for so much more than what we are currently seeing. But it is because of what we are seeing that alcohol has ruined the lives of many! What are seeing?

“Doom to you who use lies to sell evil, who haul sin to market by the truckload.”
(Isaiah 5:18) -MSG

When I read this paraphrased version of Scripture, it conjured up hundreds of images I’ve seen in the form of advertisements. It also called to mind that warning in Revelation 18 when the world will mourn Babylon’s fall and the merchants will lament their losses. From the many available images to analyze, it is evident that these advertisements act as a façade and hide the truth. Like blood from a crime scene that gets covered over by paint, a great deal of advertisements are lies covered over with glory. But just as blood can be revealed with Luminol, lies can be revealed in light of GOD’s Word. Let’s take a look at some examples and analyze the lies of some advertisements:

Men: Gorgeous women want men who drink beer. The more beer you drink, the more attractive you become. Real men drink beer because attractive women want men who drink beer. And once you’re a real man who drinks beer, it won’t be your bottle you’ll find in her hand.

Females: Do you want men to like you? You must drink beer, be naked, or both. Men like beer, so you better get with it. Men like sex, so you better get naked. This is normal.

This ad states, “Vodka is treasure. Absolut Vodka should be valued at the same worth as gold or even diamonds. You will be blessed to have it. However, this bottle is a limited edition and you will miss out on a great treasure if you don’t get it. Hurry! Don’t miss out! Get the treasure!”

This ad states, “To have this alcohol is to be in Heaven – it is that amazing.”

This ad states, “No matter what happens in life, alcohol is most important. As long as you have alcohol, you will always be happy. Alcohol is the normal that helps us find happiness.”

Let it be known that all of those advertisements are lies covered by glory. And all of the people responsible for creating and condoning the advertisements that mislead people from the truth will be held accountable and will have to answer to GOD-Almighty sooner or later. Don’t be fooled by an advertisement’s icing of humor and glory that covers its cake of lies and death. No advertisement is just a ‘cool ad’ – no, we must be aware of what lies beneath the surface. Analyze! Use critical thinking and critical reasoning to scrutinize every scenario. Do not accept anything based on what you see from the surface.

Examine 76 Celebrities That Have Been Arrested For Driving Under The Influence (DUI). In fact, challenge yourself to try an experiment. Carefully read a city newspaper for the next seven days. Make note of all the stories of tragedy and heartache that somehow involve alcohol. Then, against that backdrop, try to defend its use and justify your desire. Alcohol has many defenders, but no defense. But I do have many legitimate reasons for excluding alcohol from my life and I pray that you will consider these reasons for yourself:

1. Alcohol has an assignment: destruction.
2. Alcohol is a drug — a mind-altering substance. Alcohol literally causes your brain to malfunction. It’s like disconnecting the wires of your computer and expecting that computer to function properly.
3. Alcohol is a depressant. GOD desires to lift us up and propel us forward in righteousness; in stark contrast, alcohol seeks to bring us down.
4. Alcohol literally attacks your liver and your brain and can transform adults into giant infants without any sensibility. To drink alcohol is to be self-destructive.
5. GOD instructs us to be sober-minded (1Thessalonians 5:5-8; 1Timothy 3:2,11; 2Timothy 4:5; 1Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8). We cannot be sober-minded if we are not sober.
6. Alcohol skews judgment. Even in low doses, alcohol significantly impairs your judgment and coordination.
7. Alcohol leaves us worse, not better.
8. Acceptance and integration of alcohol into my life can easily promote and condone alcohol consumption for others’ lives.
9. What I do in moderation, my children just might do in excess.
10. Even the unsaved know I shouldn’t drink and they are quick to point out a hypocritical Christian who does drink. A Bible in one hand and an alcoholic drink in the other? Any unsaved person could point this out as a confusing contradiction.
11. Drinking alcohol doesn’t bring that person closer to the Lord, only farther away. So, how could I bring someone closer to the Lord unless my actions bring me closer to the Lord?
12. I have yet to see someone intoxicated (whether in the Bible or in my personal experiences) to be a chosen vessel for the Holy Spirit.
13. Jesus told us to be ready for whenever He returns. How can we be ready unless we are sober-minded and alert?
14. I challenge you to show me a family for whom alcohol has made a positive difference in their lives. The only example one could come up with is if they were the ones selling the alcohol and they became rich from the sales. But profiting off the downfall of others is evil.
15. I want to avoid all appearances of evil. I desire to be an accurate reflection of GOD’s love.
16. Alcohol makes it much more difficult for me to practice the fruit of self-control than if I were sober.
17. Alcohol could cause me to lose my filter.
18. Alcohol is addictive.
19. Alcohol is a numbing agent for pain and sorrow of which only Jesus can heal. Alcohol is a counterfeit and provides a false peace.
20. Many regrets originated from alcohol consumption.
21. No one has ever said, “If only I had drank that alcohol, things wouldn’t have gotten out of control.”
22. The Bible says that no drunkards will enter the kingdom of GOD. Being drunk starts with one drink. I don’t want to see how far outside the lines I can color when eternity is at stake.
23. GOD calls us to be holy and righteous. To live a holy and righteous life, we need to practice a holy and righteous life. Not just on Sundays when we go to church, but every second of every day. Michael Jordan became a great basketball player because he practiced basketball. Likewise, Christians become better at being holy and righteous by putting holiness and righteousness into practice.
24. Alcohol is a waste of money, gifts and talents, time, destinies, etc. What else could you spend your money on that could benefit others? How else could you use your time that could better benefit others?
25. Alcohol has been attributed to a high percentage of violent crimes.
26. Alcohol distracts and derails you from living the victorious life for which Christ died. Jesus died for you. How can you live for Him?
27. Alcohol has been a contributing factor to many failed marriages and broken families.
28. The only influence I should be “under” is the Holy Spirit.
29. If I don’t start drinking alcohol, I’ll never have to stop; if I don’t start drinking, I can’t become addicted.
30. Alcohol and prayer don’t mix.
31. Alcohol and Bible study don’t mix.
32. Alcohol lowers my resolve to resist temptation.
33. Alcohol = Brokenness (broken lives, health, dreams, etc.)
34. When the world sees us drinking, it sends the message that Jesus isn’t enough. I can confidently say that Jesus is more than enough.
35. Moderate drinking? How about moderate pornography or moderate heroin use or moderate lying or moderate adultery? If it’s not good, stay away! Don’t do it!
36. A question to those who call themselves moderate drinkers: If the ‘small’ amount or ‘few’ drinks didn’t affect you, then why drink them at all? And if you say for the taste, there are multiple flavored beverages that do not contain any alcohol. What is the real reason you drink alcohol?
37. Christians are called to live a life of total surrender to GOD’s will and separation from the world’s ways.
38. Alcohol can cause memory lapses. It can make people forget that they are married, saved, etc. And alcohol can quite literally cause someone to forget what they did the night before.
39. Wisdom is the principle thing that I need to pursue at all cost; however, alcohol only makes me stupid.
40. I don’t want to make my brother or sister stumble in the name of exercising my “Christian liberties.” My choice to drink could lead to someone’s demise. And I love people too much to do anything that can cause them to slide into sin and fall away from salvation.

Conclusion:

GOD’s Word commands us to be Holy and righteous because we are not to cause others to stumble. Read my other article, “Purity.”

GOD’s Word tells us not to be slaves to our desires. Are you a slave to your desire to drink alcohol? Does it affect your decisions? Do you alter plans to accommodate your desire to drink? Read my other article, “Break Every Chain” and put alcohol into proper perspective.

The advertisement industry doesn’t sell intoxication, but fantasy; it doesn’t sell reality, but fiction. Ads for alcoholic beverages tout happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, virility, creativity, and sexual satisfaction — but these are the very things alcohol abuse destroys. Read my article, “Reflection and Direction” and see if you can identify the lies you have believed about alcohol.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
(Proverbs 1:7) -ESV

The fullness of wisdom is found in the Lord. What did our Lord instruct us to do? Who does the Lord desire us to be?

“ ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’ ”
(Matthew 22:36-40) -ESV

The bottom line: The question isn’t “Can a Christian drink alcohol?”; rather, the question is “Should a Christian drink alcohol?” Just because something can be done doesn’t mean that it ought to be done. You’re allowed to drink alcohol, but is it beneficial? Does it enhance or advance your life in any way? How will alcohol consumption affect everyone around you? How does it affect how others view Christianity and Christ Jesus? Are you an accurate reflection of Christ’s sacrificial love? Is your reflection going to send people in the right direction?

“My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love.”
(Galatians 5:13) -NIRV