Is it a sin to drink alcohol

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

MOC

Member
Mar 20, 2020
84
69
18
#1
God's word has much to say about the consumption of fermented and unfermented wine. In ancient times wine could be fermented grape juice mixed with water, thus making it somewhat diluted. Fermented wine could also be made without adding water and making it more intoxicating. The Bible often describes this type of wine as "strong drink". Without question the Bible condemns drinking to the point where a person is drunk. As Christians we are commanded to not let our bodies be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6: 12) and getting drunk with alcohol would certainly fall under this category. Christians should not do anything that hinders the Holy Spirit's influence on us. A person who consumes alcohol to the point where they are drunk has let the alcohol influence their decision making instead of being "filled by the spirit". Alcohol by itself is not tainted by sin, it is the drunkenness and addiction to it that a Christian must absolutely stay away from. Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or anything else containing alcohol in it. As a matter of fact, there are times the Bible speaks of alcohol in a positive light.

Ephesians 5:18 "be not drunk with wine where in excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit." This passage of scripture is warning us to not be "drunk" or drinking to the point where it is to much or "excess". Drinking to much leads to intoxication, which leads to bad decisions. God wants us to be filled by the Holy Spirit which leads and guides us into making better decisions in life.

Exodus 32:6-7 The people were so intoxicated with wine that the Lord said, "they have corrupted themselves."
Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." To be led astray is to be led by the intoxication of wine, where God wants us to be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 31:4-7 verse 4 says that it is not for kings to drink wine. If the king is drunk and is under its influence, he may forget the law, his morals, or himself. A drunken king will use bad judgement when making important decisions concerning his kingdom. A king who stays drunk all the time cannot lead his people or country. Now notice in verse 6 this passage is actually giving permission to drink intoxicating wine. "strong drink" to those who are about to die and may need it for pain and "wine" who have a heavy heart and is afflicted with anxiety, nervousness, or something troubling them emotionally.

Final thoughts
It is incorrect to say that wine in the Bible was just simply grape juice, but equally incorrect to say that wine was fermented the same as modern day. It has been clinically proven that a glass of red wine soothes the stomach. The drunken state is what the Bible most warns about. The fact is, many people have a problem with having just "one glass" of red wine and want to keep going until it is too late. They become enslaved by the alcohol and do and say things they normally wouldn't. For these people it is a good idea to stay completely away from any kind of alcohol beverage. Keep in mind, back in ancient times the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. It is still true today in some third world countries where immediately after you step off an airplane they tell you not to drink the water! Regarding alcohol and its effects it has on people, the easy temptation to consume more than one can handle, and due to the possibility causing another brother or sister stumbling in their walk with Christ, it may be best for a Christian to abstain from drinking all together.
God bless everyone!
 
Jan 4, 2020
1,506
266
83
66
washburn Tn
#3
God's word has much to say about the consumption of fermented and unfermented wine. In ancient times wine could be fermented grape juice mixed with water, thus making it somewhat diluted. Fermented wine could also be made without adding water and making it more intoxicating. The Bible often describes this type of wine as "strong drink". Without question the Bible condemns drinking to the point where a person is drunk. As Christians we are commanded to not let our bodies be enslaved by anything (1 Corinthians 6: 12) and getting drunk with alcohol would certainly fall under this category. Christians should not do anything that hinders the Holy Spirit's influence on us. A person who consumes alcohol to the point where they are drunk has let the alcohol influence their decision making instead of being "filled by the spirit". Alcohol by itself is not tainted by sin, it is the drunkenness and addiction to it that a Christian must absolutely stay away from. Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or anything else containing alcohol in it. As a matter of fact, there are times the Bible speaks of alcohol in a positive light.

Ephesians 5:18 "be not drunk with wine where in excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit." This passage of scripture is warning us to not be "drunk" or drinking to the point where it is to much or "excess". Drinking to much leads to intoxication, which leads to bad decisions. God wants us to be filled by the Holy Spirit which leads and guides us into making better decisions in life.

Exodus 32:6-7 The people were so intoxicated with wine that the Lord said, "they have corrupted themselves."
Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." To be led astray is to be led by the intoxication of wine, where God wants us to be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 31:4-7 verse 4 says that it is not for kings to drink wine. If the king is drunk and is under its influence, he may forget the law, his morals, or himself. A drunken king will use bad judgement when making important decisions concerning his kingdom. A king who stays drunk all the time cannot lead his people or country. Now notice in verse 6 this passage is actually giving permission to drink intoxicating wine. "strong drink" to those who are about to die and may need it for pain and "wine" who have a heavy heart and is afflicted with anxiety, nervousness, or something troubling them emotionally.

Final thoughts
It is incorrect to say that wine in the Bible was just simply grape juice, but equally incorrect to say that wine was fermented the same as modern day. It has been clinically proven that a glass of red wine soothes the stomach. The drunken state is what the Bible most warns about. The fact is, many people have a problem with having just "one glass" of red wine and want to keep going until it is too late. They become enslaved by the alcohol and do and say things they normally wouldn't. For these people it is a good idea to stay completely away from any kind of alcohol beverage. Keep in mind, back in ancient times the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. It is still true today in some third world countries where immediately after you step off an airplane they tell you not to drink the water! Regarding alcohol and its effects it has on people, the easy temptation to consume more than one can handle, and due to the possibility causing another brother or sister stumbling in their walk with Christ, it may be best for a Christian to abstain from drinking all together.
God bless everyone!
Read proverbs 20:1, GOD bless as HE sees fit for you ALL
 

Melach

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2019
2,055
1,524
113
#4
no its not and anyone who claims it is is adding traditions to bible

this idea of new wine being non alcoholic is already refuted when they mock people in pentecost and say "These are full of NEW WINE" i dont think they meant grape juice.

i say bring back wine for communion lets stop listening to holier than thou church ladies and salvation army. lutheran style


and before someone says it i already say: i dont drink at all right now, so im not a drunkard.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
#5
Exodus 32:6-7 The people were so intoxicated with wine that the Lord said, "they have corrupted themselves."
you don't think the golden calf idol they made to worship in verse 4 - before they sat down and started eating and drinking - has anything to do with them being corrupted?
you think it's probably just the wine, actually?


:unsure:
 

Melach

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2019
2,055
1,524
113
#6
Yes.
Yep. Are you interested in my indepth study on that subject?
you havent done much in depth study.

God telling people they can buy wine AND strong drink:
Deu_14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,


new wine is alcoholic too:
Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.


Jesus turning water into wine after people are well drunk:
Joh 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.


Deuteronomy 14:26 whatever you claim the wine is, it also says strong drink and thats not no grape juice....... give it a rest guys. we arent muslims here
 

WithinReason

Active member
Feb 21, 2020
929
136
43
#7
you havent done much in depth study.
I'll wait for those interested in my study and say, "Yes" to my question, before presenting it. Thank you for your opinion.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
#8
NO.

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is far from thee, where the Lord thy God shall choose to set His name, when the Lord thy God shall bless thee, then shalt thou make it in money, and take the money in thine hand, and go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thine heart desireth: whether it be ox, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatsoever thine heart desireth: and shalt eat it there before the Lord thy God, and rejoice, both thou, and thine household.
(Deuteronomy 14:24-26 gnv)



Yep. Are you interested in my indepth study on that subject?

nope, not interested in copy-pasted walls of false doctrine, however subtil they may be.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
#9
you havent done much in depth study.

God telling people they can buy wine AND strong drink:
Deu_14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,


new wine is alcoholic too:
Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.


Jesus turning water into wine after people are well drunk:
Joh 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.


Deuteronomy 14:26 whatever you claim the wine is, it also says strong drink and thats not no grape juice....... give it a rest guys. we arent muslims here
lol i am 3 minutes behind, apparently
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
#11
Sounds like fear to me, but as scripture says, 1Co_14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
this explains why you thanked Melach for what you called the 'opinion' without having any regard for the scripture they gave.
 

WithinReason

Active member
Feb 21, 2020
929
136
43
#13
without having any regard for the scripture they gave
Aprioric assumption, baseless in evidence, merely accusatory. My study, indepth, addresses all of it., but you will never know it, as you stated you did not desire to know it.
 

Whispered

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2019
4,551
2,230
113
www.christiancourier.com
#15
No, it is not a sin to imbibe. (drink alcohol) If it were, Jesus sinned at the wedding in Cana so as to perform his first miracle of changing casks of water into wine.
It is a sin to become drunk on alcohol.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,061
3,175
113
#16
Sounds like fear to me, but as scripture says, 1Co_14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Your and my ideas of what constitute "fear" are very different.
The role of the lone enlightened martyr condescending to others is a common and overplayed one here. It won't further your message in the slightest.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,598
17,062
113
69
Tennessee
#17
The first recorded miracle that Jesus performed was to change water into wine at the request of His mother at the wedding of Cana. The chief wine steward taste tested the wine and said that the best was saved for last. The irony is that even though the wine was made strictly from water it was not watered down. It was a choice vintage, albeit a limited one. It is also certain that this wine was not unfermented grape juice. Nobody drinks that at a wedding celebration.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
#18
Aprioric assumption, baseless in evidence
you're not as smart as you present yourself to be, m8.

direct observational evidence: your response disregarded all the scripture in Melach's post, and in summation called it '
opinion'
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#19
If you (whoever "you" are) think that it is a sin to drink alcohol, then don't drink alcohol, because it is a sin for you. Whatever is not of faith is sin. "Your" view doesn't make it a sin for "me" though.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#20
Keep in mind, back in ancient times the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants.
Not really true.
They knew how to dig wells both deep and not so deep.

The water was very drinkable

As well alcoholic wine does not purify water.