Should Christians Drink Alcohol?
- Elijah Murrell
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
This question has been debated in the church for centuries. But what does the Bible say?
Let’s start with Ephesians 5:18:
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”
1. Don’t Get Drunk—Be Filled With the Spirit
Paul didn’t say, “Don’t drink.”He said, “Do not be drunk.” Why?
Because whatever fills a person controls a person.
The word “dissipation” is the same Greek word used to describe the prodigal son’s wild lifestyle in Luke 15:13
It means reckless, wasteful living—out of control.
So, Paul is saying: Drunkenness leads to the same kind of destructive lifestyle the prodigal son lived.
Being drunk leads to reckless living, but being filled with the Spirit leads to purpose and power.
2. God Gave Wine
Psalm 104:14–15 (NKJV)“[God gives] wine that makes glad the heart of man…”
Yes, wine was created by God. Even Paul told Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). Back then, wine was often diluted and used for health reasons, not for partying. There was no tequila or Bud Light.
3. Leaders Must Not Be Controlled by Wine
1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV)“[An overseer must be] not given to wine…”
Paul wasn’t against all drinking, but he warned against addiction. Leaders should never be controlled by alcohol.
Paul says a church leader must be “not given to wine.”The Greek word is paroinos, which means “to stay near wine” or “to linger beside wine.”
It’s not about a casual drink—it describes someone who is frequently drinking or controlled by alcohol.
Remember: God gave wine to man, but man should never be given to wine.
Paul was calling for self-control, especially for leaders in the church.
In Isaiah 28:7–8 (NKJV) God's priests stumbled in their judgment because of wine. Drunkenness clouds judgment and leads to spiritual error.
The Bible calls us to be sober and vigilant 1 Peter 5:8
4. Think About Others
Romans 14:21 (NKJV)“It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles…”
You may have the freedom to drink, but if it causes another Christian to fall into sin, don’t do it around them.
Final Thoughts
🍷 The Bible doesn’t say drinking is a sin.
🚫 It does say getting drunk is.
❤️ Walk in love, and let the Holy Spirit lead you.,
Remember: Whatever fills you, controls you.
Let it be the Spirit, not spirits.
Cheers.
📌 Want more?
Check out the full teaching on this topic from the Greater Than Podcast.
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