Is Drinking Alcohol A Sin? What The Bible Says About Drinking Alcohol

Have you ever wondered if it’s okay for Christians to have a drink of alcohol? It’s a question that comes up a lot, and let me tell you, it can bring out all sorts of opinions and strong beliefs among God’s people.¹ It’s one of those topics where good, faithful folks might see things differently. Some feel it’s best to stay away from it completely, while others believe that enjoying it in a balanced way is perfectly fine.¹ Today, we’re going to explore this together. We’ll look into what God’s Word, the Bible, says. We’ll see what Christians in the past have taught. And we’ll discover some good, practical principles to help you make choices that you feel good about, choices that honor God. Some things in our Christian walk are as clear as day – right is right, and wrong is wrong, like God telling us not to harm others or steal. But when it comes to alcohol, the Bible’s guidance has a few more layers, so it’s really important to take a closer look and understand it well.²

Is Just Drinking Alcohol a Sin for Christians, According to the Bible?

When people ask if drinking alcohol is a sin, they’re often wondering, “Is taking even one sip of an alcoholic drink something that God sees as wrong?” Well, the Bible doesn’t say that just drinking alcohol, by itself, is a sin.³ You won’t find a rule in Scripture that says, “No Christian can ever drink alcohol.”

Actually, there are times when alcohol, especially wine, is talked about in a good way. For example, Psalm 104:14-15 tells us that God gives us wine to make our hearts happy – it’s a gift from Him! 4 And in the book of Ecclesiastes, it encourages us to enjoy the good things in life, including having some wine with our meals. It says, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).⁴ The prophet Amos even talks about a future time of God’s blessing when “new wine” will be flowing abundantly.³

And think about this: Jesus Himself performed His first miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding party in Cana (John 2:1-11).¹ He did this at a happy, social event, which shows us that wine itself isn’t an evil thing. Plus, the Apostle Paul gave some advice to his young friend Timothy. He said, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses”…source(http://al-franzmeier.blogspot.com/2008/01/) 5:23).¹ This shows that wine was even used as a kind of medicine back then.

These examples show us that the Bible doesn’t just say “no” to alcohol. The important thing the Bible focuses on isn’t the alcohol itself how it’s used – or, more to the point, how it’s misused. If just drinking it was a sin, then all these positive mentions and examples wouldn’t make sense; it would be like the Bible was contradicting itself. Instead, God’s Word consistently points to a different problem: the sin of getting drunk.² Understanding this difference is key to seeing the Christian view on alcohol. A lot of disagreements happen when people don’t clearly separate the drink itself from the wrong behavior of abusing it.

What’s the Difference in the Bible Between Getting Drunk and Drinking a Little?

Even though the Bible doesn’t say you can’t ever drink alcohol, it comes down strong, again and again, against getting drunk. That’s a very clear line God’s Word draws. One of the most direct instructions is in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit”.¹ This verse is so powerful because it shows the difference between being controlled by alcohol and being controlled by the Holy Spirit. It tells us that getting drunk leads to losing control and doing wild, reckless things, and that, is sinful.¹

Many other parts of the Bible warn us about how dangerous and wrong it is to drink too much. For example:

Romans 13:13 tells us to live right, “not in carousing and drunkenness.”
Galatians 5:19-21 lists “drunkenness” and “orgies” as “acts of the flesh,” and says that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”.¹
1 Peter 4:3 reminds believers that they’ve already spent enough time in the past living in “debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry”.¹
Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise”.⁴
Proverbs 23:20-21 warns, “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”.⁴
The Bible also says that people who keep getting drunk and don’t change their ways won’t be part of God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).⁹

The Bible describes being drunk not just as passing out by things like being confused, not being able to walk straight, starting arguments, or slurring your words.⁵ Proverbs 23:29-35 paints a vivid picture of what happens when you get drunk: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine… In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things”.⁵ These consequences show that God’s warnings aren’t just random rules; they’re there to protect us from the bad things that happen when we lose control because of alcohol.

But, instead of condemning all drinking, the Bible encourages us to be moderate and have self-control if a Christian decides to drink alcohol.¹ These are such important qualities for us as believers.² Church leaders, especially, are told to be “temperate, self-controlled,” “not given to drunkenness,” and “not dependent on much wine” (1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8; Titus 2:2-3).¹ The real problem with drunkenness is losing that self-control, which stops a believer from being guided by the Holy Spirit and from making good choices.⁵ When Ephesians 5:18 tells us to be “filled with the Spirit,” it’s calling us to be under God’s good influence, not the influence of something that messes with our ability to think clearly and do what’s right. Maintaining moderation and self-control is essential for believers to shine as examples of God’s love and grace in the world. When we prioritize being led by the Spirit, we can truly reflect Christ’s character and live out our faith in practical ways. This is how we can “be the light explained,” illuminating the path for others to follow in faith and righteousness.

The Bible doesn’t give us a specific amount for what “moderation” means. This means that what’s moderate for one person might be different for another, and it takes careful, prayerful thought for each of us to decide, especially with all the different strengths of alcoholic drinks we have today. The Bible’s descriptions of drunkenness give us clues about the behavior the goal is to not even get close to that point.

Did Jesus Drink Wine? What Can We Learn from Him About Alcohol?

Yes, the Gospels clearly show us that Jesus did interact with wine. His very first miracle that’s written down was when He turned water into a whole lot of good-quality wine at a wedding party in Cana (John 2:1-11).¹ This amazing act not only saved the hosts from being embarrassed but also showed His power and blessed the celebration.⁷

Later on, during the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus used wine as a beautiful symbol of the New Covenant. He took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and shared it with them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20; see also Matthew 26:27-29).⁷ This act has given wine a very special and holy meaning in Christian worship, especially when we celebrate Communion or the Eucharist. The significance of wine in this context is further emphasized in various Christian worship practices explained throughout history, demonstrating its role in helping believers connect with the sacrifice of Jesus. During Communion, the act of consuming the bread and wine serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s presence and the unity of the church. This reverence for wine as a sacred element continues to shape the spiritual experience of worshippers today.

Jesus also talked about Himself in a way that showed He took part in normal everyday life, which included eating and drinking. He said, “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” (Luke 7:33-34; Matthew 11:18-19).¹² This tells us that Jesus’s lifestyle was different from John the Baptist, who lived a very simple life. When people called Jesus a “glutton and a drunkard,” those were mean, false things His enemies said about Him.¹⁴ They weren’t saying it because Jesus was actually overdoing it they were trying to make Him look bad, partly because He spent time with people who were considered “sinners” and didn’t follow all the strict fasting rules that some religious leaders did back then.¹³ The fact that they could even make up such a lie, though, suggests that He did eat and drink at social events always perfectly, without any sin.

We can learn so much from Jesus’s example. Because He was willing to make wine and use it in a holy ceremony, it shows that wine (and alcohol in general) isn’t automatically evil or bad. If all drinking was a sin, Jesus, who was perfect and sinless, wouldn’t have used it or provided it. His actions challenge the idea that every believer must completely stay away from alcohol. The false things said about Him really show how prejudiced His accusers were, not that He did anything wrong.¹⁴ They were just looking for reasons to reject Him, just like they rejected John the Baptist for the opposite reasons! Finally, Jesus’s example is one of perfect balance and control. He lived His life completely for God, and His actions show us how to use our freedom responsibly. Using wine in the Lord’s Supper, especially, lifts it up beyond just a drink to a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and our fellowship with Him. It’s hard to believe that wine itself could be sinful when it’s used in such a sacred way.

Was Wine Back in Bible Times Different from the Drinks We Have Today?

It’s good to understand what wine was like in Bible times so we can apply God’s wisdom to how we think about alcohol today. There’s some discussion and a few different ideas about how ancient wine stacks up against what we see on the shelves now.

Some folks say that alcoholic drinks back then, including wine, usually weren’t as strong – meaning they had a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) – than many of the drinks we have today.¹⁵ It was also very common in the Greek and Roman world (which influenced Jewish culture when the New Testament was written) to mix wine with water before drinking it.¹⁶ They might mix several parts of water with just one part of wine.¹⁶ In fact, drinking wine straight, without mixing it, was sometimes seen as something only uncivilized people did.¹⁶ One expert even estimated that the strongest wine people usually drank, after it was mixed with water, might have only had about 2.²⁵ to 2.⁷⁵ percent alcohol.¹⁶ That’s a lot lower than most wines today, which can be 11 to 15 percent alcohol or even higher.

But, we also need to be careful not to make it sound like Bible wine wasn’t intoxicating at all. The Bible clearly warns people not to get drunk from wine (Ephesians 5:18).⁷ If wine was just grape juice, or if it was so watered down that it couldn’t make anyone drunk, those warnings wouldn’t make any sense, would they?⁷ The idea that wine in the Bible was always just unfermented grape juice isn’t what most history and Bible experts believe.⁷

The Bible also uses different words for different kinds of grape products and alcoholic drinks:

The Greek word oinos and the Hebrew word yayin are general words for wine, and they usually mean fermented grape juice.⁷
The Greek word gleukos (you see this in Acts 2:13) and the Hebrew word tîrôsh are often translated as “new wine” or “sweet wine.” These could also make you intoxicated.¹⁶ Some think tîrôsh might have been fresh grape juice that would ferment quickly, or it could be boiled down into a thick syrup that wouldn’t be intoxicating, which could then be stored and later mixed with water and fermented.¹⁶
The Bible also talks about “strong drink,” from the Hebrew word shekar or the Greek word sikera. This probably meant drinks made from fermented grains (like beer from barley) or other fruits. These could have had a good amount of alcohol, maybe like some beers today (perhaps 6 to 12 percent alcohol).⁷ And guess what? The Bible also warns about misusing this “strong drink” too.⁷

So, Although It’s likely that the everyday wine people drank in Bible times might have been weaker than many of the straight, undiluted wines we have today (especially strong fortified wines or hard liquors, which weren’t common back then), it was definitely alcoholic and could make people drunk. Mixing it with water would have made it less strong the Bible’s warnings still apply.

This history helps us think about how we, as Christians today, can apply the principle of moderation. If “a little wine” or “moderate” drinking in the Bible often meant a drink that was less strong or mixed with water, then being moderate with today’s stronger, usually unmixed alcoholic drinks might mean drinking a smaller amount to get the same effect, or more importantly, to make sure we don’t get intoxicated. The main thing the Bible teaches is to avoid getting drunk and to stay in control. The exact amount of alcohol that makes someone lose control will be different for everyone and depends on how strong the drink is. Christians today have to be especially careful and thoughtful about what “moderation” means when we have drinks that can be much, much stronger than what people commonly drank in ancient times.

What Did the Early Church Leaders Teach About Christians and Alcohol?

The early Church Fathers – these were wise Christian leaders and thinkers in the first few hundred years after the apostles – mostly carried on the same understanding about alcohol that we see in the Bible. They generally agreed that wine is a gift from God, something He created for us to enjoy with balance and moderation that getting drunk is a sin we need to stay far away from.¹⁵

Wine was commonly used in the early church. They even used it when they celebrated Communion (the Lord’s Supper), and they often mixed it with water, which was a common custom back then.¹⁷ There’s an early Christian writing called the Didache, which might have been written as early as the late 1st or early 2nd century. It even tells believers to give some of their wine to support true prophets, or if there weren’t any prophets around, to give it to the poor.¹⁷

Several important Church Fathers talked about this:

Clement of Alexandria (who lived around 150 to 215 AD) had a thoughtful view. He really admired people who lived a very disciplined, simple life and encouraged people to “flee as far as possible from wine.” But, in one of his books called “The Instructor,” he also wrote about using wine properly and even the joys of drinking wine in moderation.¹⁷ This shows he respected it when people chose to live a very strict life he also saw that it was okay for others to drink moderately.
St. John Chrysostom (around 347 to 407 AD), who was a famous preacher, talked a lot about Paul’s advice to Timothy to “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23). In one of his sermons, Chrysostom really focused on the words “a little wine.” He explained that Paul wasn’t just saying “drink wine,” but was giving a prescription for moderation. It was meant to help Timothy’s health, which had apparently gotten worse because he was being too strict with himself (only drinking water).⁶ Chrysostom warned that drinking too much wine could lead to many problems, both for the body and the spirit. He said that wine was given by God not to make us drunk to bring gladness and to help us be sober-minded. He famously said, “Wine makes not drunkenness; but intemperance produces it. Do not accuse that which is the workmanship of God accuse the madness of a fellow mortal”.⁶ That’s a powerful way to say that the problem isn’t the good thing God made the sin of misusing it.
Basil the Great (around 330 to 379 AD) and Gregory of Nyssa (around 335 to 395 AD) actually defended the use of wine against some groups who had wrong ideas, like the Marcionites. These groups thought some parts of God’s creation, including wine, were bad or polluted.¹² Gregory of Nyssa said that wine could be a good medicine for sadness he specifically meant “not the wine which makes one drunk, deceives the senses and destroys the body”.¹²
St. Benedict of Nursia (around 480 to 547 AD), who wrote a very influential Rule for how monks should live, allowed monks to have a certain amount of wine each day. He thought that completely forbidding it for everyone was “unreasonable,” even though he encouraged abstaining if someone felt strong enough to do it.¹² And you know what? Throughout the Middle Ages, monasteries became famous for making really good wine and beer. They used it themselves, used it in the Eucharist, and even sold it to support their work.¹²

So, while moderation was the main teaching, choosing not to drink at all was also seen as a good and respected choice, especially if someone wanted to do it for spiritual discipline or if they found it hard to drink moderately.¹⁵ The ancient Canons of the Apostles even said that church leaders and members could choose to abstain from wine for self-discipline they shouldn’t hate it or think it was evil, because that would be like insulting God’s good creation.¹⁵

What these Church Fathers taught shows us that for many centuries, the main Christian understanding was that wine is a good gift from God that should be used responsibly. The fact that they accepted moderate wine use, and even included it in holy rituals like Communion, really cemented its place in Christian tradition for a long, long time. This history helps us understand later changes, like when the Temperance Movement came along and started pushing for everyone to completely abstain. That was a big shift from this long-held view, especially in some Protestant groups.¹⁷ The Fathers’ teachings show there was room for different practices – from moderate use to choosing not to drink at all – without saying that wine itself was bad.

What Are the Main Different Views on Alcohol Among Christians Today (e.g., Moderation, Abstinence, Prohibition)?

When you look at Christians today, you’ll find there are generally three main ways they think about alcohol: moderation, abstention, and prohibition.¹⁵ Different churches and individual believers hold these views, and it often comes down to how they understand the Bible and what they’ve learned from history.

Moderationism:

What They Believe: These folks believe that alcohol is a gift from God that can be enjoyed responsibly and in a balanced way. They don’t see drinking alcohol itself as a sin they do believe getting drunk is.
Why They Believe It: Moderationists often point to Bible verses where wine is seen as a blessing (like in Psalm 104:15), to Jesus’s example of turning water into wine and drinking wine Himself (you see this in John 2 and Matthew 11:19), and to Paul’s advice to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23). They emphasize that the Bible consistently speaks out against drunkenness, not against drinking moderately. This view fits with the general Hebrew idea that everything God created is good.¹⁵
Who Typically Believes This: This has been the most common view in Christianity around the world for a very long time. You’ll find it among Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Anglicans (Episcopalians), Lutherans, many Reformed churches (like Presbyterians), and Jehovah’s Witnesses.¹⁵

Abstentionism (often called Teetotalism):

What They Believe: Abstentionists believe that even though drinking alcohol might not be a sin in every single situation, choosing to completely stay away from it is the wisest, safest, and most loving thing for Christians to do today.
Why They Believe It: They have several reasons for this:
They want to avoid any chance of getting drunk or becoming addicted.
They’re concerned about being a “stumbling block” to others, especially people who struggle with alcohol or who have a more sensitive conscience about it (like Paul talks about in Romans 14).
They want to send a clear message against the harm that alcohol abuse causes in our society.
They believe that many alcoholic drinks today are stronger and more dangerous than the ones in Bible times.
Some may just feel that God is personally leading them to abstain. Abstentionists choose not to drink because they think it’s the most careful and loving way to live out their faith in the world we live in now.¹⁵
Who Typically Believes This: This view is common in many Evangelical churches, including many Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Pentecostal groups, and the Salvation Army.¹⁵ Some of these churches might not say you have to abstain to be a member they often expect their leaders to.

Prohibitionism (also a form of Teetotalism):

What They Believe: Prohibitionists believe that the Bible actually forbids drinking alcohol for everyday purposes. They see it as something that is inherently sinful or harmful.
Why They Believe It: This view often interprets the Bible’s warnings against wine and strong drink as applying to any use at all. Some prohibitionists argue that when the Bible talks positively about “wine,” it’s really talking about unfermented grape juice.¹⁵ They focus on how destructive alcohol can be and see any drinking as something that doesn’t fit with a holy life. Prohibitionists abstain because they believe it’s a divine law.¹⁵
Who Typically Believes This: You’ll find this stance in denominations like certain Methodist groups (for example, the Evangelical Methodist Church Conference, and the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection), the Seventh-day Adventist The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and some Baptist groups.¹⁵

It’s interesting to look at the history here. For most of Christian history, moderation was the main view.¹⁵ The big movements that pushed for total abstinence and prohibition really got going in the 1800s and early 1900s, mostly because of the Temperance Movement. This movement was especially strong in Protestant churches in North America and parts of Europe. It started because of serious social problems linked to alcohol abuse, often involving new, strong distilled spirits that were becoming common.¹⁵ This historical shift helps explain why you see more abstentionist and prohibitionist views in certain churches today, especially those that came out of these revival and reform movements. Meanwhile, older traditions like Catholicism and Orthodoxy have generally stuck with a moderationist view.

It’s also good to see the difference between “abstentionism” (not drinking because it seems wise) and “prohibitionism” (not drinking because you believe it’s forbidden by God’s law). Both mean not drinking the reasons behind it can change how people with these views see those who drink moderately. A prohibitionist is more likely to think any drinking is a sin. An abstentionist might see it as unwise or potentially harmful to someone’s witness not necessarily sinful if it’s done responsibly by someone with a clear conscience who isn’t causing others to stumble.

Here’s a little table to help see the differences:

View	Core Belief	Primary Rationale/Biblical Focus	Typical Adherents (Denominations/Groups)
Moderationism	Alcohol is a gift from God; drinking in moderation is permissible. Drunkenness is sin.	Creation is good; Bible condemns drunkenness, not drinking; Jesus’s example; positive mentions of wine.	Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, many Reformed churches, Jehovah’s Witnesses.15
Abstentionism	Abstaining from alcohol is the wisest and most loving choice in present circumstances.	Prudence; avoiding addiction/drunkenness; concern for “weaker brother” (stumbling block); public witness.	Many Evangelicals, Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Pentecostals, Salvation Army.15
Prohibitionism	The Bible forbids all ordinary consumption of alcohol; it is inherently sinful or harmful.	Alcohol is intrinsically evil; biblical “wine” was grape juice (some argue); focus on negative consequences and warnings.	Some Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, some Baptists.15

And remember, even though we can talk about what denominations generally believe, what an individual person believes can still vary, even within these groups.¹⁸

Why Do Some Christian Groups Say “No Alcohol at All”?

When some Christian groups and churches encourage complete abstinence from alcohol – whether they believe it’s the wisest path (abstentionism) or that it’s a divine command (prohibitionism) – they do so for some very heartfelt biblical, ethical, and practical reasons. These reasons often come from a deep desire for personal holiness, a concern for the well-being of others, and a passion for their Christian witness to be effective in a world where alcohol abuse causes so much pain.

One of the biggest reasons is the Bible’s clear condemnation of drunkenness and the fact that alcohol can be addictive. Since getting drunk is definitely a sin that the Bible says can keep someone out of God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 6:10), and since alcohol has a high chance of leading to addiction, some argue that the safest and smartest thing to do is to avoid it completely.³ As one writer powerfully put it, “If something can lead me to an eternity of torment, under what circumstances would I give it a place at my table?”.²¹ This view really emphasizes avoiding risk to protect one’s spiritual life.

Another common argument is that alcohol itself is deceptive and dangerous. Proverbs 20:1 tells us, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise”.²¹ This verse is used to suggest that alcohol has a tricky quality that can cloud our judgment, lower our good sense, and lead us into foolish or sinful actions.²¹ Some also look at Proverbs 23:31, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly,” and see it as a direct command to not even think about intoxicating drinks.²¹ others might see this as a strong warning rather than a rule for everyone for some, it’s a clear scriptural reason for abstinence.

The terrible consequences of alcohol abuse in our society and in people’s lives also fuel the arguments for staying away from it.⁹ Alcohol is linked to broken families, violence, poverty, health problems, and tragic accidents. From this perspective, choosing abstinence is a way to stand against these evils and protect oneself and one’s family from their devastating impact.

The “stumbling block” principle from Romans 14:21 (“It is good not to… Drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble”) is a very important reason for many who choose abstinence.³ They decide not to drink because they’re concerned that their actions might negatively affect another Christian. This could be someone new in their faith, someone who has a “weaker” conscience about alcohol, or someone who is recovering from alcoholism. They don’t want to lead that person into sin or doubt.

Abstinence is often seen as vital for a Christian’s witness and example.¹⁵ In a world where alcohol is so often linked with going too far and ungodly behavior, not drinking can be a clear statement of a Christian’s commitment to a sober, self-controlled life. This is considered especially important for pastors and church leaders, who are called to be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8).²⁰

Some also refer to the teaching that a believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).²⁴ The idea here is that putting potentially harmful or mind-altering substances like alcohol into our bodies doesn’t line up with honoring God’s temple. But as we’ll talk about later, that passage is primarily about sexual sin, and applying it to other things needs careful thought so we don’t become inconsistent.

Historically, some arguments for prohibition also included the idea that wine in Bible times was different – maybe it was unfermented grape juice, or much weaker than the alcoholic drinks we have today.³ While many scholars don’t agree with these claims about biblical wine 7, they have been used to argue that the Bible’s permission for wine doesn’t apply to modern alcohol.

Many of these reasons for total abstinence today are also shaped by what happened historically with distilled spirits (hard liquor) and the widespread social problems that came with stronger and more available alcohol, especially during and after the Industrial Revolution. These experiences had a huge impact on the Temperance Movement.¹⁵ Although the biblical principles of avoiding drunkenness and caring for others are timeless, the strong push for total abstinence has often been intensified by these more recent historical events and the devastating effects of alcohol abuse we see in modern society. So, these views are often rooted in a sincere desire to live a life fully dedicated to God and to protect both individuals and society from the dangers of alcohol.

How Does “Your Body Is a Temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Relate to Drinking Alcohol?

When the Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” – that was a powerful, uplifting truth about how sacred our physical bodies are as believers! This passage sometimes comes up when people talk about drinking alcohol.

It’s so important to first understand what Paul was primarily talking about when he said this. In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul is speaking very strongly and directly against sexual sin, especially warning believers not to join themselves with prostitutes.²⁴ He argues that doing so is a sin against one’s own body, which is united with Christ and is a dwelling place – a temple – of the Holy Spirit. So, the immediate message is a call to run from sexual sin because it defiles this holy temple. Paul’s warning underscores the gravity of the choices we make regarding our bodies and their spiritual significance. While the Bible does not explicitly mention oral sex in the Bible, the principles established in these passages can be applied to all forms of sexual conduct. Believers are called to honor their bodies as sacred vessels and to seek holiness in every aspect of their lives.

But, even though the direct topic was sexual purity, the wonderful principle of honoring God with our bodies can be applied to other areas of our lives, including our choices about things like alcohol. If drinking alcohol leads to drunkenness, which the Bible clearly calls a sin (Ephesians 5:18), or if it leads to addiction where our body is “mastered” by a substance (1 Corinthians 6:12), or if it causes serious harm to our physical health and stops us from serving God effectively, then you could say that using alcohol in that way is not honoring God’s temple.⁸ The call is to be good stewards, good caretakers, of the bodies God has blessed us with, because they belong to Him.²⁷

But we need to be careful not to misuse this verse as a simple reason to forbid anything that could be seen as potentially “harmful” without thinking it through carefully. As one person humorously but wisely pointed out with a story about Charles Spurgeon and D.L. Moody, if this verse means we can’t have any substance that could harm the body, then to be consistent, things like caffeine, sugary foods, or even having jobs with physical risks might also be forbidden.²⁴ If we take it too broadly, it can lead to legalism and not making sense.

The argument that “your body is a temple” is generally stronger against abusing alcohol – which clearly harms the body, clouds judgment, and can lead to spiritually damaging behavior – than it is against moderate drinking that doesn’t lead to those bad outcomes. Being a responsible steward of your body doesn’t necessarily mean you have to avoid everything that has any potential risk. It means making wise, self-controlled choices that help your overall well-being and don’t lead you into sin or dishonor God.

So, when we think about alcohol, the “body is a temple” principle encourages us to ask questions like:

Does my use of alcohol make me lose self-control, which goes against being led by the Spirit who lives in me?
Is my drinking harming my physical health in a way that dishonors the body God gave me?
Am I becoming dependent on alcohol, letting my body (God’s temple) be controlled by a substance instead of by Christ?

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then using alcohol in that way would be going against honoring God with your body. This verse calls us as believers to avoid sinful uses of our bodies and to practice wise stewardship, rather than being a blanket rule against anything that isn’t perfectly “healthy” or completely risk-free.

Conclusion: A Matter of Conscience, Wisdom, and Love

when we ask if drinking alcohol is a sin for Christians, the Bible doesn’t give us a simple, one-answer-fits-all, except for this: getting drunk is clearly condemned. Scripture teaches that drunkenness is a sin and we should stay far away from it, because it leads to losing self-control and many other harmful things.¹ But the Bible doesn’t forbid drinking alcohol in a balanced, moderate way. It even talks about wine as a gift from God that can bring joy and be used to help with sickness.⁴ As Christians navigate various choices in life, questions arise beyond just the consumption of alcohol. For instance, many ponder whether is astrology against Christian beliefs, as it involves looking to the stars for guidance rather than relying on God’s divine plan. Ultimately, seeking wisdom from Scripture and prayer can help believers discern the best path forward in aligning their actions with their faith.

The key biblical principles that should guide every Christian’s decision are the call to self-control, the command to love others (which includes not being a stumbling block to a fellow believer), the importance of having a clear conscience before God, and the big goal of doing everything for God’s glory.¹ There’s an old Latin saying, abusus non tollit usum, which means “abuse does not invalidate proper use.” This is relevant here. Just because alcohol is often misused doesn’t automatically mean all use is wrong it does mean we need to be extremely careful and wise.²

Christians, by prayerfully studying God’s Word and honestly looking at their own hearts, will come to different personal beliefs about alcohol. Some will choose to completely abstain, believing it’s the wisest and safest path for them and a way to care for others. Others will believe that moderate drinking is okay within the boundaries of Christian freedom and responsibility. It’s so important for us as believers to respect these different beliefs, just as Romans 14:5 advises that “each person should be fully convinced in his own mind”.¹

In the end, the decision about whether or not to drink alcohol, and how to do it if you choose to, is a matter of your personal conscience, informed by God’s wisdom and guided by your love for God and for others. The goal isn’t to win an argument or to insist on your rights to live a life that honors Christ, strengthens your fellow believers, and shines as a positive witness to the world.