“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV)
In his Biblical 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” expresses the general idea of moral corruption- and alcohol’s role in that regard is recognized among those who have seen or experienced its effects.
The Scriptures offer a glimpse into this harsh reality with the record of an incident in the life of Noah. Noah was a God-honoring man who once got so drunk that he passed out naked (Genesis 9:18-22). We can find another example in the book of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk (see Habakkuk 2:15-16) as well as the shockingly immoral account of Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38).
Although the Scriptures do not mandate complete abstinence from alcohol (John 2:1-11), 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 agree that the Bible clearly condemns alcohol abuse. We find one such condemnation in 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).
Therefore, we would be well-advised to follow the Bible’s counsel regarding alcohol consumption…
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery (or corruption), not in dissension and jealousy… Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life… Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (Romans 13:13 [NIV], Luke 21:34 [CEB], 1 Peter 1:13 [NIV]).