I received an email this week about whether or not a Christian should engage in social drinking.  The question stems from last Sunday’s message on self-control.  It is a great question and one that I get asked often as a pastor.  Let me give you a few of my thoughts on this matter.

Is Drinking a Sin?

There are several sides to this issue.  Many would argue the point that to take any drink, of any alcoholic beverage, is a sin.  The problem with this view is that one cannot argue it from Scripture.  The Bible, aside from drunkenness which is clearly prohibited, simply does not make such a statement.  Therefore, in seeking to let Scripture form my beliefs, I cannot, in good conscience say that taking a drink, in and of itself, is a sin.

Are Christians free?

On the other side of the spectrum are those who argue for “Christian liberty.”  Many in this camp believe that because the Bible does not call drinking a sin, Christians are free to drink as long as they don’t get drunk.  Such a view of Christian liberty is also unbiblical.  One should never make an “argument from silence,” namely that since the Bible does not specifically prohibit something, we are therefore free to partake.  To do so is very dangerous. 

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything."Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"---and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (1 Cor. 6:12-13)

Paul, in the passage above, is quoting those who argued an unspiritual view of Christian liberty [“All things are lawful for me”…”Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food.”]  Paul balances that argument with “but all things are not helpful” and “I will not be enslaved by anything” because the body is for the Lord.

"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (1 Cor. 10:23-24)

Later in chapter 10, Paul adds (quoting the same people) that just because something is “free” or “lawful” does not mean that it is helpful.  In fact, Paul addresses here that the attitude of “I can do what I want because I am free” is spiritually arrogant.  Paul encourages believers to not seek their “own good” but the good of their neighbor.

In light of the last statement, one should also consider Romans 14.

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. (Rom 14:20-21)

Paul here is trying to keep peace between those who think that meat offered to idols was to be considered unclean while others did not consider it unclean.  Paul makes clear in the context of this passage that people were free to eat the meat.  However, whether one could eat or not eat was not the bigger issue.  The bigger issue was the work of God and the relationship between other believers.  Once again we see the spiritual arrogance of eating and drinking while disregarding what such a testimony and witness can do on others.  There are parents who may chose to drink and disregard the message they are sending to their children, there are Christians who willingly drink without any regard of what kind of a witness that gives to others.  As a result, one must be very careful how far they take the argument of Christian liberty. 

The Way of Wisdom

In addition to a Christian view of liberty, one should also consider the wisdom of indulging in, even moderately, that which can be addictive in nature.  We are not as strong as we think we are and can fail to realize the grip things have in our lives.  John Piper talks about the “wisdom of abstinence” because alcohol is an addictive and potentially mind-altering drug.  He writes, “Is it really so prudish, or narrow to renounce a highway killer, a home destroyer, and a business wrecker?”  Realizing that alcohol is responsible for 40 million addicts in America, is the number one drug among teenagers, and is a leading cause in the destruction of families, is it really such a stretch to ask Christians to abstain in wisdom? 

Now one could easy respond, “But can’t you make a similar argument for food addiction or sexual addictions?”  Yes, but one major difference is that you do have to eat to live and God has specifically designed sex for procreation (Genesis 1).  Alcohol, on the other hand, is not necessary for life and therefore the argument is not quite the same. 

WWJD?

There are also those who argue that Jesus drank wine.   The Bible is clear that Jesus did drink wine, and I believe that the wine in Jesus’ day had fermentation.  However, I believe it is historically foolish to think that wine in Jesus’ day was “strong drink” as it relates to our day. The term “wine” [Greek word oinos] was a wine mixed with water.  Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist theological seminary, points out that “to consume the amount of alcohol that is in two martinis by drinking wine containing three parts water to one part wine [a common ancient ratio], one would have to drink over 22 glasses.” 

Final Thoughts

Though I cannot in biblical conscience or with biblical grounds say that taking a drink of alcohol is categorically a sin, I think there is clear, firm, and significant biblical evidence for why Christians should absolutely abstain from drinking.  I agree with John MacArthur when he says, “Can I say that it is always a sin to take a drink? No.  Can I say it is almost always ill-advised?  Yes, because it violates the biblical principles of wisdom and witness.”

I would also encourage those who do not drink to avoid being spiritually arrogant towards those who do, as though you are somehow spiritually superior.  Such arrogance is no different that the arrogance of Christian liberty mentioned above. 

Therefore, without a heart of legalism, without making Scripture say something it does not say, I believe that the wisest path for Christians to walk is the one of abstinence. 

It is, in my opinion, the sober thing to do. 

Walking and Working Together,