“Now the works of the flesh are evident… envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19, 21 ESV).
The next to last item on the list of negative characteristics given to us above is drunkenness.
In his New Testament letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul the Apostle offered the following guidance regarding alcohol abuse: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Debauchery is a word that expresses the general idea of moral corruption- and alcohol’s contribution in that regard is well-known among those who have seen or experienced it’s effects.
Modern medical professionals classify alcohol as a depressant, and alcohol abuse serves to depress one’s capacity for self-control, good judgment, and wise decision-making. The Scriptures offer a glimpse into this harsh reality with the record of an incident in the life of Noah. Noah was an otherwise God-honoring man who once got so drunk that he passed out naked (see Genesis 9:18-22). We can find another example in the shockingly immoral account of Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38).
Although the Scriptures do not mandate complete abstinence from alcohol (see John 2:1-11 and 1 Timothy 5:23), a decision to voluntarily limit one’s freedom in this area will often prove to be the wisest course of action. While two Christians of good conscience may differ regarding the propriety of alcoholic beverages, each should be able to agree that the Bible alerts us to the dangers of alcohol abuse in the passage quoted above and the cautionary message of Proverbs 23:29-35…
“Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.
You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, ‘They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?'” (NLT).