The topic of “alcohol” can be (and often is) controversial in many churches. Below are a few of my thoughts as well as Scripture about alcohol, wine, and application for the local church today.
Wine was consumed daily at meals in Israel (Luke 7:33-34) and was often mixed with water (20 parts water, 1 part wine; or 3 to 1 as a way to purify the water for safe drinking)
What The Bible Says about Alcohol
- Our Body is a Temple. 1 Cor 6:19–20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (NASB).
- Don’t be drunk and don’t be inhibited. Eph 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,” (NASB).
What That Means for Us
- Moderation. If you do decide to enjoy alcohol I think it’s good to have a one drink policy. One beer. One glass of wine. One drink a day or per meal.
- Consideration. If you do decide to enjoy alcohol you need to be considerate of others and their relationship to alcohol. If others you know have had a trouble with drinking excessive alcohol, don’t drink around them, don’t show them it, don’t keep it in the house.
Why I Don’t Drink
- Family. I did not grow up with family that drank alcohol. (I think I’ve seen my dad have a beer twice, and I’ve never seen my mom sip alcohol.) We’ve had extended family members that were severely and negatively affected by alcohol in their lives, and this is one the reasons I chose not to drink alcohol.
- Ministry. I want to have integrity and be above reproach. For me as a pastor and as a spiritual leader, I’ve decided it’s one of those things I am not going to participate in. I don’t want there to be any doubt about me and my character.