I want to preface this with two caveats.  One, I am coming at this from a biased position.  I want it to be wrong to drink (because it appears to me to be a sinful behavior and is an offense against God in my opinion), and so that makes it really hard to see this issue clearly.  While trying to study this out from a neutral stand point, I recognize that I am trying to make the Scriptures prove my point.  When one has a preconceived opinion, it becomes very hard to rightly divide the Word and not to interject your own position and to twist the Scriptures to fit your position.  So I need you all to read my conclusions VERY carefully to see if I am discerning what the Scriptures really say, or if I am twisting them to favor my position.  If I am not seeing this clearly, please pray that God would grant me repentance. 

And two, I am spiritually undecided on this topic and freely admit that I could be wrong.  I am intellectually persuaded, but not spiritually.  What I mean by that, is that logically, my conclusions seem to make sense to my thought process.  But God has not specifically revealed the truth to my inner man.  When God tells you something, it is absolute.  Then we stand in faith and never waiver, never back down, never surrender.  Once God has revealed a truth to our hearts, it is impossible to be persuaded of anything else.  For God is true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4)!  But when we are merely intellectually persuaded and not spiritually enlightened on a topic, there is a chance for error.  No matter how reasonable, logical, or intellectual, we could be wrong.  Our minds and our thinking are fallible.  Unlike God, we deceive ourselves and make mistakes.  So while I am intellectually convinced (some-what…I definitely can see the other point of view), I have had nothing revealed spiritually.

With all that said, I want to look at several verses on this topic.  Keep in mind, that when I am looking at these verses, my first thought is, “What kind of writing is this?”  That is, is this historical narrative, in which we are simply being informed of something that occurred in history, or is it doctrinal teaching, that is, instructions for living a righteous life.  Often men confuse the two, I think.  They read a historical narrative and derive teaching from it.  That CAN work on general moral issues, but is not necessarily wise in all issues.  It would be like reading a history book on America and coming to the part where they owned slaves, and then concluding, “See, it’s ok to have slaves.”  No!  Historical narrative does not equate to doctrinal teaching.  Instead, we look to clear teachings we have on the issue, like the 13^th Amendment of the Constitution, which clearly forbids slavery.  So it is with the Scriptures.  Sometimes we read of something that occurred in history and erroneously conclude that that is a teaching we should abide by.  This can sometimes lead us in the wrong direction, especially if we have direct teaching verses that prove otherwise.  So before scrutinizing each verse, I will determine whether or not it is a teaching verse, a historical narrative that we can derive moral teaching from, or just an eye witness account of something that occurred in history.

1^st Thessalonians 5:6-8 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.⁷ For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

I don’t think these verses are actually talking about alcohol consumption, but rather about being serious minded, calm and collected, and temperate.  It uses the analogy of alcohol because drunkenness leads to the opposite of this type of behavior.  Drunkenness leads to uninhibited behavior, which violates our command to be sober and temperate.  But that would be drunkenness, not necessarily drinking alcohol in general.  Since the opposing argument is usually that drunkenness is the sin, not consumption of alcohol in general, we have to conclude that this verse does not offer persuasive information one way or another. (1^st Peter 1:13; 4:7; and 5:8 also speak of this “soberness.”)

1^st Timothy 3:2-3 and 8 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;³ Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;…8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”

Here we have clear teaching that deacons and bishops must be sober and not given to wine.  Two arguments can be made here.  One, this is for deacons and bishops, not the general populace, and two, given to much wine means drunk, not general consumption.  Against the first argument, I would counter that this is indeed directed towards deacons and bishops, but why?  What is the purpose of these commands?  Is it not for righteous living?  Are these not instructions on holiness? And if so, why would they not apply to ALL the Saints?  We are ALL commanded to be holy and righteous.  Deacons and bishops firstly, but also every Saint.  If these are steps towards righteousness, they are steps that we must all take if we truly desire to live in holiness. 

To the second point, I would ask, what is ‘drunkenness?’  The word means intoxicated.  So with such a loose definition, how do we determine what that is?  At what point of drinking do you become drunk?  How many drinks are permissible before drunkenness takes place?  One shot can cause light headedness.  Is that drunkenness?  When a person is “buzzed,” is that considered drunk?  A beer contains 4-6% alcohol.  Is that enough to cause “drunkenness?”  Just because the modern world has defined drunk as inebriated, does not mean that is what is actually considered drunk.  It is an undefined term and it would not be wise to draw too close to it without knowing what it is or when it occurs.  Considering that temperance and sober mindedness are the goals of the Christian life, anything that inhibits that would most likely be considered “drunk.”  The uninhibited behavior exhibited in those who have only had MILD alcohol consumption would seem to indicate that drunkenness occurs much earlier that what we have recently defined “drunk” as.  I would suggest that “drunkenness” is not inebriation, but a lack of temperance.  One modern alcoholic drink could lead to that. (Titus 1:7 and Titus 2:2-6 have similar instructions and Galatians 5:21 explains that drunkenness is a work of the flesh)

Leviticus 10:9 “Do 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:”

We find here a similar teaching for the priesthood in the Old Testament, that we find for Bishops and Deacons in the previously discussed Timothy verses.  But these verses instruct us even further than the Timothy ones, in that not only is being drunk forbidden, even DRINKING wine or strong drink is disallowed!  Again, we must ask why?  Is it not for holiness sake?  They were going to enter the tabernacle.  And to disobey was a sentence of death.  The implication being that not only was drinking wine sin, it was worthy of death!  And if this type of holiness was required of the priests, why not us?  Isn’t holiness all of our goals as Saints?  Aren’t we all desiring holiness and righteousness?  We must all seek to go as high up the mountain of righteousness as grace will allow.  I have heard it said (and it is a true sentiment), that Christianity is not an attempt to find legal “loop-holes,” whereby we may participate in the pleasures of the flesh, but it is a pursuit of holiness and righteousness.  If you disagree, perhaps there is a need to examine your heart to see if you are in the faith? 

Proverbs 23:20-21 “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”

Here we have no specific instructions regarding alcohol consumption, but rather we are warned to stay away from drunkards. 

Proverbs 23:29-31 “ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?³⁰ They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.³¹ Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”

In my personal opinion, these are the most convincing verses that we have on the issue (and this is where I am intellectually persuaded, not spiritually).  I believe that these verses are speaking of fermentation when it says “when it is red…gives its color in the cup…and moves itself aright.”  If that is the case, then wine can refer to unfermented fruit drink (specifically grape).  Once it is fermented (or alcoholic), we aren’t even supposed to look at it, let alone drink it!  There is also a spiritual analogy here between the fruit of the Spirit and the “fermented” fruit of false teaching.  Those wrapped up in false teaching appear to have a “spiritual drunkenness” about them.  As if they are intoxicated by the poisonous fruit of Gnosticism!  But that is another story.  In this case, I think we are specifically warned to avoid fermented fruit juice.  For it leads to woe, sorrow, contentions, babblings, and wounds.  And common sense and experience PROVE this point!  Are these not the very qualities we see in those who drink?  The parties or bars we once attended in our former lives, did they not come with woe, sorrow, fights, loud and obnoxious speech, and injury?  If nothing else, these verses alone persuade me that Christians should not even look at alcoholic drinks.

Matthew 11:19 “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Luke 7:34 as well)

This is certainly one of the most problematic verses for my position.  For it seems to imply that Jesus drank wine.  And if that is the case, it cannot be a sin to do so, for Jesus never sinned.  However, I have a few counterpoints to this argument.  One, this is historical narrative, not a direct teaching.  It is simply telling us what happened, not instructing us on how to live.  In other words, even IF this was showing that Jesus drank, it does not permit us to in light of Scriptures to forbid us from doing so.

Two, it says that He came eating and drinking, not drinking alcohol.  We certainly can’t infer that alcohol is meant here, and beyond that, we certainly can’t build doctrine off of this inference!  Some may say, “If He was just drinking grape juice or water, than why did they call Him a winebibber?”  Again, we are inferring into this historical narrative and it would not be wise to build doctrine or behavior off of this narrative.  The fact that Jesus was often seen ministering to drunkards, revilers, and whoremongers, could certainly lead to being unjustly accused of participating in their behaviors.  If your enemies saw you coming out of the bar often, they might certainly label you a drunk!  Even without knowing your intentions for being there.  The fact that Jesus was often ministering in these situations, could lead to accusations from His enemies.

So, I am left to say that this historical narrative is inconclusive and certainly cannot be used to justify drinking.  We do not know what Jesus was drinking.  We do not know that His accusers were accurate in their accusations.  And I, for one, must believe that Jesus did NOT drink alcohol in light of Scriptures like Proverbs 23:31.  He would not violate His own commands.  But this verse is not enough to persuade one way or another.  We must rely on the other and clearer Scriptures that we have.

1^st Timothy 5:23 “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”

Again here, wine could certainly refer to unfermented juice (especially in the light of Proverbs 23:31), but even if it didn’t, this does not present an allowance to drink for drinking’s sake.  The rational for allowing the drinking of wine is the fact that Timothy suffers from some sort of health issue.  So the wine is used for medicinal purposes, not leisure or pleasure.  In that case, I certainly would see no issue in drinking wine.  If a health professional advises you that a glass of wine is needed for medicinal purposes, than by all means drink that glass of wine.  It’s the same principal as taking something like Tylenol PM.  If it is needed for medical reasons, than use it.  But if you are using it for the pleasure, you are abusing it and stepping into pharmekia.   I would not have a qualm against someone who is advised by their physician to have a glass of wine.  However, I would use extreme caution.  If doing so violates your conscience, or causes you to become intoxicated/inebriated, it may not be wise or lawful to do so.  I guess this would be an area that I am not sure about and it would require diligent and personal prayer.  It’s the same principal as to whether or not it would be ok to use morphine or laughing gas.  It’s a difficult situation and I’m not sure where I stand on it, so I will leave it alone for another time.  In any case, we do not have a verse here that permits recreational consumption of alcohol.

John 2:1-10 “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:² And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.³ And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.⁴ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.⁵ His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.⁶ And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.⁷ Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.⁸ And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.⁹ When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

¹⁰ And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

I don’t think that we have any reason to assume that this is fermented/alcoholic ‘wine’ in these verses.  Especially in light of Proverbs 23:31.  But even if we did, this is a historical narrative, not a teaching.  The verses do not expressly state that it is ok to drink alcoholic wine.  To infer that because of something that was done historically is not wise.  Just because something happened, does not permit us to partake in the event being described.  Jesus as one point, entered the temple and flipped tables and made a whip to drive people out.  Does this mean that we are permitted to enter false churches and to chase people out with a whip?  Especially in light of verses that command us to be gentle and peaceable and yielding and to obey the laws of the land?

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

Galatians 5:21 [works of the flesh are…]“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1^st Corinthians 6:9-10 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Isaiah 5:11 “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”

Isaiah 5:22 “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:”

Again, who determines when “drunk” occurs?  Woe’s are pronounced upon it, it disqualifies from the Kingdom of God, it is a work of the flesh, and shows a lack of wisdom.  With all of these severe warnings against drunkenness, and with us being so unsure as to when drunkenness occurs, isn’t it prudent, wise, and necessary to avoid the cause of drunkenness (alcohol) altogether!  A person can certainly continue to argue that the consumption of a “drink or two” is permissible, because drunkenness is the sin and not general consumption, but again, where is the wisdom in that?  And what about the command to not even look at it!  That person must carefully examine their own hearts and discover why it is that they desire to drink an alcoholic beverage.  In all sincerity, is it not for the “feeling” that it produces?  And how can you be assured that that is not what is meant by “drunk?”  For those who argue that they simply like the taste, are you truly being sincere?  Is that really the case?  Are there not better tasting drinks that do not contain alcohol and that do not risk the sin of drunkenness?  Sobriety is such a major issue throughout the Scriptures.  Temperance and self-control are necessary fruits of the Spirit.  Why persist in such a dangerous pursuit, when it is so unclear on when you pass from pleasure to sin?  Is it not wiser to avoid it?  If you are not persuaded by all these Scriptures, I leave you with one more.

Romans 14:21 “ It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

This issue obviously causes stumbling for many brethren.  And it is a horrible witness to the lost world.  Even the heathen consider it a sin.  As such, to publicly display this behavior IS a sin.  It is unloving, unkind, and improper for a Christian to drink, or discuss drinking, alcohol in the public atmosphere.  If you are truly born again, and have not been persuaded that drinking alcohol is wrong, and for some reason insist on partaking in this behavior, you must do so in private and keep the behavior private.  And if you are truly born again, and this really is sin, the Lord will eventually convict you.  Until then, for the sake of your brethren and the glory of the Lord in the lost world, keep this behavior to yourself.  But I would issue a stern caution if you do this in private.  Remember the serious and dire warnings against drunkenness.  PLEASE be very careful to not fall into this sin.