In the Bible, the topic of drinking, particularly the consumption of alcoholic beverages, is addressed with both caution and moderation. The Scriptures provide guidance on the behavior and lifestyle of drinkers, emphasizing the importance of self-control and the potential dangers of excess.

Wine and Strong Drink

The Bible acknowledges the use of wine and strong drink in various contexts, including celebrations and religious ceremonies. In Psalm 104:14-15, wine is described as a gift from God that "gladdens the heart of man." Similarly, Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana involved turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), indicating that wine itself is not inherently sinful.

However, the Bible also warns against the dangers of excessive drinking. Proverbs 20:1 cautions, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse highlights the potential for alcohol to impair judgment and lead to reckless behavior.

Drunkenness

Drunkenness is consistently condemned in Scripture as a sinful behavior. Ephesians 5:18 instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the loss of control associated with drunkenness with the spiritual fullness that comes from living a life led by the Holy Spirit.

The consequences of drunkenness are illustrated in several biblical narratives. Noah's drunkenness led to shame and familial discord (Genesis 9:20-27), while Lot's intoxication resulted in immoral actions (Genesis 19:30-38). These accounts serve as cautionary tales about the potential for alcohol to lead to sin and personal downfall.

Moderation and Self-Control

The Bible advocates for moderation and self-control in all aspects of life, including the consumption of alcohol. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 advises that church leaders be "temperate, self-controlled, respectable," and "not given to drunkenness." This standard of moderation is not limited to leaders but is a model for all believers.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul writes, "All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. All things are permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." This principle encourages believers to exercise discernment and avoid being controlled by any substance or behavior.

Cultural and Social Considerations

In biblical times, wine was a common beverage, often safer to drink than water due to its fermentation process. However, the cultural context of alcohol consumption has evolved, and modern believers are encouraged to consider the impact of their drinking habits on their personal witness and the community around them.

Romans 14:21 advises, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble." This verse underscores the importance of being mindful of how one's actions may affect others, particularly those who may struggle with alcohol.

Conclusion

The Bible provides a balanced perspective on drinking, recognizing the enjoyment of wine as a part of life while warning against the dangers of excess and the loss of self-control. Believers are called to live lives marked by moderation, self-discipline, and a consideration for the well-being of others.Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
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Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
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1 Timothy 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.
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1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
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Titus 2:3
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
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Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
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1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
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Galatians 5:21
Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
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1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such an one no not to eat.
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5433a. saba -- to imbibe, drink largely
... root Definition to imbibe, drink largely NASB Word Usage drink heavily (1), drunkard
(1), drunken (1), heavy drinker (1), heavy drinkers (1). 5433, 5433a. ...
/hebrew/5433a.htm - 5k

8354. shathah -- to drink
... root Definition to drink NASB Word Usage certainly drink (2), drank (27), drink
(138), drink the will certainly (1), drink down (1), drinkers (1), drinking (18 ...
/hebrew/8354.htm - 6k

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... REVELLERS. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep, And howl, all ye drinkers of wine,
Because of the sweet wine; For it is cut off from your mouth! ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

A Sermon on a Text not Found in the Bible.
... But on the other hand, are not these drinkers paying too dear for their gladness?
Is it not a kind of delirium that shuts out the facts of the case? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xli a sermon on a.htm

For Thy Breasts are Better than Wine, and More Fragrant than the ...
... so sweet and pleasant, that they render Thy children, and even those who have yet
need of the breast, stronger than the stoutest men who are drinkers of wine. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/1 2 for thy breasts.htm

The Way of the Transgressor is Hard.
... He had a wife and children. He thought he could stop whenever he felt
inclined, but he went the ways of most moderate drinkers. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the way of the transgressor.htm

Aquarians.
... WATER-DRINKERS, a branch of the Encratites, a sect in the second century, who abstained
from marriage, wine, and animal food; who carried their aversion to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/aquarians.htm

The Doctrines of the Encratites.
... They suppose, that by meats they magnify themselves, while abstaining from animal
food, (and) being water-drinkers, and forbidding to marry, and devoting ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiii the doctrines of the.htm

Christian Meekness
... As Plato counselled the great revellers and drinkers of his time, that they should
view themselves in a glass when they were in their drunken humour, and they ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Index.
... United Society of Believers, 75. Universalists, 95, 331. Waldenses, 279. Water-Drinkers,
168. Watts, Isaac, 418. Wesley, John, 390. Wesleyan Missions, 343. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/index 2.htm

The Limits of Liberty
... you drink to God's glory when you know that drink is slaying thousands body and
soul, and that hopeless drunkards are made by wholesale out of moderate drinkers ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the limits of liberty 2.htm

Meanwhile, the Marquis Fontenelle had Been Nearly a Fortnight in ...
... Quietly laying down his newspaper, he sat very still in his chair, keeping his back
turned to the groups of wine drinkers who were gathering in large numbers ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxiii meanwhile the marquis fontenelle.htm

Drinkers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drinkers (3 Occurrences). ... Wail, all you drinkers of wine,
because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. ...
/d/drinkers.htm - 7k

Winebibber (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WINEBIBBER. win'-bib-er: In Proverbs 23:20, cobhe
yauin; in Matthew 11:19 = Luke 7:34, oinopotes, of habitual wine-drinkers. ...
/w/winebibber.htm - 7k

Drunkards (10 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Joel 1:5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of
wine, because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. ...
/d/drunkards.htm - 9k

Drinkest (2 Occurrences)

/d/drinkest.htm - 7k

Drinker (6 Occurrences)

/d/drinker.htm - 8k

Snatched (15 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Joel 1:5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of
wine, because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. (See NIV). ...
/s/snatched.htm - 10k

Joel (22 Occurrences)
... The extent of the disaster is vividly depicted by the singling out of the classes
on whom the calamity has fallen, the drinkers of wine, the priests, the vine ...
/j/joel.htm - 49k

Wake (34 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine,
because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. ...
/w/wake.htm - 17k

Wail (50 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). Joel 1:5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you
drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. ...
/w/wail.htm - 21k

Mouths (86 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:5 Come out of your sleep, you who are overcome with wine, and give yourselves
to weeping; give cries of sorrow, all you drinkers of wine, because of the ...
/m/mouths.htm - 32k

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