Do Christians Commit A Sin If They Drink Alcohol? (2)

By James Quansah, Pastor

WE LEARNT in Part One that Scripture does not necessarily urge Christians never to drink alcohol at all, but that they should do so in moderation when need be. For instance, Paul asked Timothy to drink a little wine for the medicinal purpose of improving his health. This might be the appropriate use of alcohol.

In their commentary on Proverbs 20:1 the translators of the NIV Study Bible point out that, “alcoholic drinks have been given as blessings from God for our enjoyment, refreshment, happiness, and even health. In the Old Testament, wines are often included in lists of produce. Wine was praised by the psalmists. In the New Testament, Christ’s first miracle turned water into wine.”

The scholars assert, “But in the Bible, this happy picture is balanced by a realistic assessment of the dangers of alcoholic drinks: excessive drinking can loosen morals, destroy health, impair judgment, inflame tempers, tear apart families, lead to poverty and heartache, and cause disharmony within the Church.”

They further state, “For a child of God drunkenness is forbidden. Some maintain the only option for a believer is a total abstinence; others, however, stress moderation as the Biblical standard.” But Paul, the apostle insists, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Now, the Bible has more to teach us about the dangers of getting drunk. Scripture may not specifically state that drinking alcoholic beverages is sinful, but it does strongly warn us about its destructive effects on our health, judgments, decisions and actions within the Church, community in which we live and in our relationships.

The Bible warns us about the evil consequences of drunkenness. “These also reel with wine and stagger .with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment” Isaiah 28:7

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine: those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

In the end it bites like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. They struck me,” you will say, but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” (Proverbs 23:29- 35).

It has already been pointed out that taking in alcoholic drinks is not specifically stated as being sinful. But it is hazardous to human health if the temptation to drink it immoderately and its addictive power are not overcome and brought under control. Alcohol is very addictive which leads one to become drunkards.

A Facebook post has observed, “Drunkenness is wine to excess. Drunkenness is never right as a solution to deal with your problems. Drunkenness is only for losers (Pr. 23:20-21, 29-35). If you have problems that you cannot cope with, the solution is the Holy Spirit of the living God (Ephesians 5:18).

Humble yourself before God, depend on His Holy Spirit, and take up singing, instead of drinking (Luke 11:13). Let Him be the strength of your heart,”

Certainly, it is difficult to pinpoint any meaningful benefit of drunkenness. Drunkenness is evil. It loosens morals thereby influencing people to make bad decisions concerning marriage, finance, career, employment among others. 

Drunkenness influences people to practise sexual immorality, engage in foolish acting, become poor, makes them jobless, sick and even sometime leads to death. Besides, drunkards have no respect in society. Their views are not considered as important.

In his article, J Lawrence Burkholder says, “Christians who do not commit to a principle of total abstinence should follow a guideline that would represent both discernment and Christian freedom by allowing limited use, now and then, within the context of family, friendship, religious celebration, and diplomatic protocol.”