The Scriptures present a balanced and beautiful vision of Christian freedom, one that neither forbids what God calls good nor ignores the dangers that come with living in a fallen world. Because of the gospel, Christians receive God’s gifts with gratitude and use them with wisdom, self-control, and love. Alcohol is one of those areas where the Bible speaks with both clarity and caution.
1. God Gives Wine as a Good Gift
The Bible never teaches that the mere use of alcohol is sinful. On the contrary, wine is repeatedly described as one of God’s gracious provisions for human flourishing.
- “He causes wine to gladden the heart of man” (Psalm 104:14–15).
- Jesus’ first miracle included turning water into wine to bless a wedding celebration (John 2:1–11).
- Wine is used in Scripture as a symbol of joy, abundance, and God’s covenant blessings.
Because of the gospel, we receive God’s good creation with thanksgiving. Christians may enjoy alcohol in moderation as an expression of gratitude to God and for the glory of Christ (1 Timothy 4:4–5 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. Drunkenness Is Always Sin
Even while affirming the goodness of wine, Scripture speaks with unmistakable severity about drunkenness.
- “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery” (Ephesians 5:18).
- Proverbs warns that drunkenness leads to poverty, confusion, violence, and spiritual dullness (Proverbs 20:1 and 23:29–35).
- Paul includes drunkenness among the works of the flesh, warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21).
The issue is not the substance itself but the loss of self-control and the surrender of sobriety. Both contradict the fruit of the Spirit. Because the gospel gives us new hearts and new desires, Christians approach alcohol with sobriety of mind, Spirit-enabled self-governance, and a desire to honor Christ.
3. Love Limits Liberty
Christian freedom is never exercised in isolation. The gospel shapes how we use our freedoms. Christ laid down his rights for our sake, and we gladly lay down our preferences for the good of others.
Paul instructs believers not to allow their freedom to become a stumbling block to a brother or sister whose conscience is weaker or whose temptations may be stronger (Romans 14:13–23 and 1 Corinthians 8:9–13).
This means:
- We gladly abstain when our drinking could pressure or tempt someone struggling with alcohol.
- We refuse to make alcohol a marker of maturity or spiritual freedom.
- We welcome those who abstain out of conscience or wisdom and honor their decision.
Because our public witness matters, this also includes obeying civil laws regarding alcohol. The gospel teaches us to respect and submit to the governing authorities God has placed over us (Romans 13). When the Bible gives freedom in an area, Christians should be careful not to use that freedom in a way that violates the law, harms our testimony, or brings reproach on Christ.
4. Wisdom for the Tempted
Some believers face frequent or intense temptation toward drunkenness. For them, drinking is not merely unwise. It may be spiritually dangerous. In love, the church encourages these brothers and sisters to embrace voluntary abstinence as an act of worship, wisdom, and protection.
No Christian loses anything spiritually by refusing alcohol. The gospel assures us that Christ himself is our truest joy, the source of deeper satisfaction than any earthly gift can provide.
5. Further Consideration for Those Who Differ
Faithful brothers and sisters have disagreed on this issue historically. We should not allow this topic to be treated as a core part of our faith. At the same time, we must take care that our position on alcohol never promotes or makes room for the sin of drunkenness.
Whatever our conviction, the gospel calls us to humility, unity, charity, and holiness.
Conclusion
Alcohol, like many of God’s gifts, is good when received with gratitude and used with self-control. Christians may drink, but they must never be drunk. Above all, our choices should be shaped by love for Christ and for one another and by a clear conscience formed by the gospel.
May everything we do reflect hearts made new by Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and committed to walking in love and holiness for the glory of God.