Should Christians Drink or Not Drink?

To answer this question we will omit personal CONVICTIONS & OPINIONS because we should know by now that what the Instruction Manual (Bible) says it’s FINAL. In the Gospel of John 2 we read a story of JESUS converting water into wine which is a GOOD thing (saving the best for last). We read in Ecclesiastes 9:7 to eat food/drink wine with gladness for God has APPROVED (Celebration Occasion) and in Psalm 104:15 where it says, “and wine that makes glad the heart of man” so in essence it’s a good thing. However, it can also become a DESTRUCTIVE thing as God’s Word warns us “IF” it’s abused. Scripture over & again warns us against the dangers of the Sin of Drunkenness mentioned in Proverbs 20:1, 23:21, Romans 13:13 & Ephesians 5:18. This is what we teach at our Miami Dade RiseUp Outreach Church which has Biblical Teachings and are a Holy Spirit filled congregation.

So if there are POSITIVES & NEGATIVES to this what should a Christian do? Christians are commanded NOT to allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (2Peter 2:19). JESUS drank wine, but He never got drunk. In Luke 7:33-44, we discover JESUS contrasting John the Baptist’s “personal conviction” decision not to drink wine by Him drinking. JESUS goes on to respond to the religious leaders who falsely accuse Him of being a drunk; yet, JESUS was neither a glutton nor a drunk because He was sinless (1Peter 2:22). Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to drink wine for his ailing stomach (1Timothy 5:23). Let me be perfectly clear; drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive and if you cannot control it you definitely should not even have a sip. The Bible also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin (stumbling stone) so we must be watchful NOT to drink around those who struggle with it. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that drinking in moderation is a sin.

Additionally, the Bible does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is NOT in itself tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from. Alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor 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. Thank you JESUS! It’s actually better than SODAS which has a Top-5 rating of producing cancer and diseases. Drunkenness and addiction are a sin; so is dishonoring your body with overeating (gluttony), junk food lifestyle and sex which was created by God, but performing it in a disorderly way. SEX in itself is not a sin “IF” its in the parameters of MARRIAGE. In the City of Miami, there is a lot of drunkenness and overeating so the church has to set the example to impact those without self-control.

There are both positive things that are said and there are warnings about the abuse of alcohol. So when Christians think about this issue of drinking alcohol today, we’ve got to take both of these things into account. We’ve got to acknowledge, on the one hand, wine itself is a Gift of God. We’ve got to consider if it’s going to control you; to apply the WARNINGS by not drinking it at all. Sex, Money Relationships, Work & Foods are also a GIFT from God, but if ABUSED or taken out of order or if we make them an idol – it’s a SIN! It’s all about BALANCE (1Peter 5:8 AMP). Living with moderation and restraint in the freedom of Christ is a beautiful thing. Living reckless is not. So be CAREFUL you do not conform to the culture; instead live with DISCIPLINE & SELF-CONTROL as His Word commands.

In conclusion, you may have freedom to drink beer. Nothing wrong with drinking a beer or drinking a glass of wine, but to do that in the presence of another Christian who comes from a background that entailed alcohol abuse and drinking in that person’s presence is insensitive, selfish & it could present them with a temptation to sin that could be very destructive to their faith. So again, please be watchful! The question you personally have to ask yourself is “Is it really worth the risk?” You know yourself more than anybody. The Bible says in 1Corinthians 10:23 – “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying.” No one can deny that alcohol is associated with a bunch of negative consequences as many have wasted their lives away hurting many. So I say this, if you have a family history of alcoholism or if you’ve struggled with it in the past; you absolutely should NOT be drinking. However, if you’re someone like me…with no history of alcohol problems and quite frankly very little desire to drink anyways, the risk really isn’t big enough for me to worry about it. It’s actually BEST not to drink at all if you are debating between the two options and cannot draw the line. Btw, if you choose not to drink it doesn’t make you “more holy” so get off your high horse. I have my own struggles and temptations, but alcohol simply isn’t one of them. Just please be extra considerate if you are having lunch or dinner with a known alcoholic, a new Christian, a young adult or someone who would be easily offended or affected. At the same token, I don’t believe that means I can never drink because *someone* out there *somewhere* might see me drinking and suddenly turn into an alcoholic or relapse. The bottom line truth is that I have a RESPONSIBILITY to be a good steward of my life and set a good example, but the CHOICES people make are ultimately their own. Thank you for reading!

Consider visiting our South Florida Church located in West Kendall Miami for more Biblical teachings with the presence of the Holy Spirit.