This is a question that always seems to draw a huge debate when Christians are witnessing around places that serve alcoholic beverages.
Those who want to debate the consumption of alcohol are usually not those who are “unbelievers,” but rather those who “claim” to serve God. So, what does the Bible say about this issue? You’ll find that the issue is not really a “debateable” issue. The Word of God is very clear.
Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Strong Drink = shekar (Hebrew) = an intoxicant; fermented liquor
Led Astray = shagah (Hebrew) = to be deceived by; to err through drunkenness; to be misled mentally
Not Wise = lo-chakam (Hebrew) = without wisdom; not following wise instruction
So, Proverbs 15:5 says, “A FOOL despises … instruction…”
NOTICE: Once a person opens the door to any intoxicating drink, they become “foolish” in their actions. They will often act in ways they wouldn’t when in their “right mind.”
They get loud. They get rude. They cast off restraint. They lose their moral inhibitions. They progressively become more and more likely to do more, say more, and go further than they would ever hope to. They cease to act wisely … and become foolish!
Didn’t They Drink Alcoholic Beverages In The Bible?
YES – many people did. But there are also instances where people committed murder, lied, had illicit affairs, and did other offensive things. These things are written as a matter of record, and not a matter of righteousness.
The Question:
What was God’s intention regarding the consumption of alcohol by those who follow Him?
The Answer:
Leviticus 10:9-10 “Do not drink wine nor strong drink … lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations… that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”
NOTE: The people being addressed here are those who are being identified with the priesthood. This statute would be one that would continue forever!
They were those who had a responsibility to the “Temple of God” and were told they had to establish an obvious difference between themselves (holy & clean) and anyone else who would not walk in righteousness toward God (unholy & unclean).
How Does That Apply To “Christians” Today?
1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But YOU are a chosen generation, a royal PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God…”
1 Corinthians 3:16-19, “Know ye not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself … For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…”
Jesus Turned Water Into Wine!
But what was the composition of this “wine?” Was it an “intoxicating” fermented beverage with the properties necessary to get the wedding party drunk? This could not be the case for several reasons.
Historical Reason: The Jewish culture in which this occurred was not an alcoholic culture as ours is today. That is, it was always frowned-upon for anyone to get intoxicated.
The “wine” of that day would be mixed 1/3 wine and 2/3 water in order to insure that any that may have become fermented would be “cut” to the degree that it would not intoxicate.
When Jesus turned “water into wine,” He was consistent with this process (even in the miracle) by telling them to…
John 2:6-7 “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews,… Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water, and they filled them up to the brim.
NOTICE: This miracle was done “after the manner of purifying” and not after the manner of fermenting.”
This purifying is the word “katharismos” which means to “follow the Levitical practices” (which we saw in Leviticus 10:8-9, forbidding the drinking of anything intoxicating!).
The pots were filled with water to the brim and NOT just part of the way up. Instead of “fermented wine” being diluted down with water, this was water supernaturally given the taste of grapes.
There is NOTHING in the passages of John that would even remotely suggest that Jesus broke from Levitical law and provided six barrels of “booze” for the people to get drunk on!
Much to the contrary…. It is obvious that He went overboard in assuring that this wine was NOT “alcoholic” in composition.
Need More Evidence?
1 Corinthians 6:10 tells us that “no drunkard will inherit the Kingdom of God (drunkard = methusos = one intoxicated)
Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery…” (debauchery = asotia = unsavedness)
Isaiah 5:11 “Woe to those who … run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.”
God calls the drinking of intoxicating drink “evil” and says that those who consume it have no place in His Kingdom (heaven) but rather a place in HELL.
God would NEVER allow or make something for your consumption that would put you in a place of temptation.
James 1:13 declares, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”
If you want to drink alcohol, go right ahead. But know that in doing so, you have violated God’s law and that you knowingly and willingly reject His salvation, and set yourself up for eternal judgment.
If you are a TRUE FOLLOWER of Christ, then stop sinning and ask for His forgiveness, and stay away from those things God has condemned!
