Is drinking alcohol a sin in Christianity? I believe I'm not the only one who has heard this question being thrown here and there every now and then.
It is a popular question that always awaits a 'no, you can take but just a little' answer. Such can never be my response to this question. I will tell you why.
It is not uncommon to find certain Christians debating and striving to justify their thirst for alcohol. The popular rhetoric for justifying drinking alcohol in many Christian circles today is,"It is for the stomach sake."
I'm sure that many Christians already know it is wrong to be lukewarm. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, His promptings should always kick against the entrance of alcohol into your body system.
But those who are not willing and ready to step out of lukewarmness will always find excuses to justify why they must remain lukewarm. Lest we forget: Jesus Christ condemned lukewarmness.
Revelation 3:16 KJVSo then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Apostle Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach sake and infirmities, not because it was approved for every Christian.
The field of medicine (as of then) had not yet evolved and advanced like it has today. Alcohol was administered even in hospitals for the treatment of stomach-related problems.
But it was later discovered that it did more harm than good. It was from this medical standpoint, that Paul recommended to Timothy a little dose of wine (probably strong wine), to ease his persistent stomach cramps.
Let's get the facts right: Paul told Timothy, not all Believers. Today we have excellent medical knowledge and services to curb the least of stomach problems like ulcer.
We can further find in his letter to the Ephesians, that Paul did not approve of alcohol for Christians:
Ephesians 5:18 KJVAnd be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit And Alcohol Do Not Agree
If we are truly filled with the Holy Spirit, we will not be thirsty for alcohol. Real infilling of the Spirit of God evicts every thirst for alcohol.
Alcohol and the Holy Spirit will always repel against each other. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And the presence of alcohol in us grieves Him.
The Holy Spirit works to transform the Believer into the likeness of Christ. While alcohol strives to bring disorder to the life of everyone who loves it.
The Holy Spirit desires to make a person useful but alcohol strives to make them useless. I've seen alcohol wreck many lives. Alcohol opposes the work of the Holy Spirit in a Believer.
Here are a few questions we should all ask ourselves:
- Does alcohol make me more like Christ?
- Does it help me pray more or study the Word more?
- Does it help me get more full of the Holy Spirit?
- How does it help my spiritual growth?
- Does it help draw me closer to God?
Why A Christian Shouldn't Drink Alcohol
The priests under the Levithical Priesthood were instructed to not take alcohol:
Leviticus 10:9 KJVDo not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations.
In the old testament, The Nazarites like Samson were called to a special service to the Lord. One of the instructions that was given to them was to avoid alcohol.
This instruction was based on the reason that the Holy Spirit would occasionally come upon and use them.
Numbers 6:1-3 KJVAnd the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord : [3] He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
Samson's mother was instructed by an angel of the Lord to not drink alcohol, right from the time she was to conceive Samson.
Abstinence from alcohol was one of the consecration requirements for bringing forth such an Anointed vessel as Samson.
Judges 13:2-4,24-25 KJVAnd there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. [3] And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. [4] Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing : [24] And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. [25] And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Zecharias and Elisabeth (parents of John the Baptist) were given the same instruction concerning John:
Luke 1:11-13,15 KJVAnd there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
The Bible makes it clear to us in Revelation 6:1 and 5:20, that we are priests and Kings unto God. Now, see what instructions are given to Kings concerning alcohol:
Proverbs 31:4 KJVIt is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.
Proverbs 20:1 KJVWine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
If in days of old, those who were to be used of God—whom the Holy Spirit was to come upon for God's use, were instructed to avoid alcohol. How much more now?
How much more today that the Holy Spirit permanently indwells us? It can not be any different. As a matter of fact, the standard is supposed to be higher today.
Observe: you will never find a Christian who justifies drinking alcohol being filled with the Holy Spirit. They may claim they are but it is always evident in their lifestyle that they are not.
How To Stop Taking Alcohol
How can we stop the temptation of alcohol? Let's learn how a Christian can quit drinking alcohol below:
1. Genuine Repentance
If a Christian does not believe it is wrong for them to take alcohol, then they cannot get delivered from it.
One must know and acknowledge that taking alcohol is wrong, then they can go ahead to genuinely repent before the Lord and cry out to Him to help them out of it.
2. Stay Filled With The Holy Spirit
By our own strength, we cannot overcome any addiction or temptation. It is the Holy Spirit who supplies us the ability to live right and please God.
Everyone who seeks to be free from the addiction to alcohol should seek to be filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit daily. Start your day, each day with the Holy Spirit.
3. Self-Discipline and Self-Control
Just like every other addiction, self-discipline can go a long way in helping to prevent and stop the addiction to alcoholism. If we choose not to avoid temptation, then we will get tempted.
Sometimes, the Holy Spirit instructs people to pray because He sees impending danger or a snare ahead, but they disobey Him. This is due to lack of self-discipline.
With self-discipline we can always push ourselves to do what God wants us to do, when He wants us to do it.
Also, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us produces self-control—which is needed to help us avoid and overcome any temptation.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIVBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Prayer For Deliverance From Alcohol Addiction
- Having realised that alcohol is not part of your will for my life, Lord Jesus I submit myself to you. I ask that you forgive, cleanse and help me end this habit.
- Father I submit my entire being to You. I lay my life on the alter as a living sacrifice. Take absolute control over my spirit, soul and body. Remove everything thirst for alcohol from me in Jesus Name.
- Lord Jesus I ask that You fill Me with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me to the brim, even to the extent I lose every desire for alcohol.
- Holy Spirit of God, powerfully and totally rule over me. Submerge me in You, to the extent Your desires become my desires.
All these I ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
These prayer points should be prayed daily until the words manifest in the life of everyone who has a thirst for alcohol. Feel free to add yours as led.
Final Thoughts On What The Bible Says On Drinking Alcohol
If anyone must drink in this kingdom, let him drink the New Wine—the Holy Spirit. We cannot exhaust Him. We can always stay filled with more and more of Him everyday. Therefore, be not drunk with ordinary wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
God never said that drinking alcohol is a sin. But if it can lead people out of the narrow way to wreck their life and destiny, it is wise to avoid it. If it can cause another Believer to stumble, then it is unwise to take it.
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