Alcohol
Is it wrong to drink
alcoholic beverages?
“Wine
to make us happy, olive oil to make us cheerful, and bread to give us
strength.”—Psalm 104:15, “Good News Translation.”
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
In many homes, alcoholic
beverages are virtually a staple taken with meals. In other homes, drinking is
strongly disapproved of. Why the different viewpoints? People are influenced by
various factors, such as culture, health concerns, and religion.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible condemns
drunkenness and overindulgence but not the moderate consumption of alcohol. (1 Corinthians
6:9, 10) Indeed, from time
immemorial, men and women of God drank wine, a beverage mentioned over two
hundred times in the Bible. (Genesis 27:25) “Eat your food with rejoicing and drink your wine with a good
heart,” says Ecclesiastes 9:7. Because wine contributes to a joyful spirit, it was usually
served on festive occasions, such as wedding feasts. It was at such a feast
that Jesus Christ performed his first miracle—turning water into “fine wine.” (John 2:1-11) Wine was also used for medicinal purposes.—Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:23.
Does
the Bible set limits on how much to drink?
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Each year, countless
families suffer because one or both parents abuse alcohol. Excessive drinking
also contributes to innumerable falls and other accidents, including road
accidents. And in the long run, alcohol abuse can damage the brain, the heart,
the liver, and the stomach.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
Moderation in both drinking
and eating is a fundamental requirement of God. (Proverbs 23:20; 1 Timothy 3:2, 3, 8) The lack of self-control brings his disapproval. The Bible
states: “Wine is a ridiculer, intoxicating liquor is boisterous, and everyone going astray by it is
not wise.”—Proverbs 20:1.
One
way that alcohol can lead the unwise astray is by eroding their moral fiber.
Says Hosea 4:11: “Wine and sweet wine are what take away good motive.” A man
named John learned this the hard way. *
After an argument with his wife, he went to a hotel, drank too much, and
committed adultery—deeds he later profoundly regretted and resolved never to
repeat. Abuse of alcohol can harm us physically, morally, and spiritually, and
the Bible states that drunkards will not get everlasting life.—1 Corinthians
6:9, 10.
When is drinking
inappropriate?
“Sensible
people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk
right into it and regret it later.”—Proverbs 22:3, “Good News Translation.”
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
“Alcohol is a powerful
drug,” says World Book Encyclopedia. Hence, there may be circumstances or times when even the
moderate consumption of alcohol would be unwise.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
People often “walk right
into [trouble]” because they drink at the wrong time. “For everything there is
an appointed time,” the Bible says, including a time to stay away from alcohol.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1) For example, a person may be legally too young to drink, he
may be a recovering alcoholic, or he may be taking medication that does not
interact well with alcohol. And for many people, the “appointed time” to
abstain is before they go to work and while they are at work, especially if
they operate potentially dangerous machinery. To be sure, wise people view life
and health as precious gifts from God. (Psalm 36:9) We show our respect for those gifts when Bible principles
guide our attitude toward alcohol.
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