whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1
Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:20-21
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 1 Corinthians 5:11
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
Nowhere does the Bible tell us not to drink wine or
beer, but it does tell us not to drink too much! The Bible says very clearly alcohol can make
you do some pretty stupid things (like we needed the Bible to tell us that), so
it says don’t get drunk.
Jesus drank wine. When the Pharisees saw Him
hanging out with sinners, they accused Him of drinking with them. They weren’t
talking about grape juice, but fermented wine served at parties.
Heaven will contain wine too. Jesus told his
disciples at the last supper that he will not drink the wine of the communion
again until all his followers are in heaven.
Many on earth, though, have made vows never to
drink again and that’s great, especially for those in ministry. People could
see them at a restaurant with a glass of wine and believe it’s okay for all
Christians to drink. However, some Christians have problems with alcohol.
Leaders don’t want to be stumbling blocks to other believer’s sobriety.
The Bible does not tell us we have to drink, but
sometimes it may be wiser that we don’t.