What does the Bible say about alcoholic drinks and drugs?

Author: BibleAsk Team


The Bible – Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs

The Bible is filled with instruction on avoiding all addictive harmful substances such as alcoholic drinks and all drugs. The use of addictive drugs that alter the awareness and destroy brain cells is a snare of the devil and should be shunned. The word of God says, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 9:20-21). In this passage, the word sorcery implies “the use or administering of drugs,” from the original translated Greek word pharmakeia, according to Strong’s Concordance.

The Bible also clearly warns us from using alcoholic drinks in all its forms: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1); “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:31, 32); “Neither fornicators … nor drunkards … shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10); “For if they drink, they may forget the law” (Proverbs 31:5); “Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting?  Who is always complaining?  Who has unnecessary bruises?  Who has bloodshot eyes?  It is the one who spends long hours in taverns, trying out new drinks” (Proverbs 23:29-30); “in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:32).

Christians, therefore, should not use any harmful substances in their bodies. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17). And they are commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by any addictive substance (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). The truth is no one can wholeheartedly serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).

The apostles exhorted the believers to remain sober-minded and alert in order to be able to fight temptations and overcome sin (1 Corinthians 15:34;1 Thessalonians 5:4-8;2 Timothy 4:5;1 Peter 1:13;4:7;5:8). In summary, the Bible teaches us that we should deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts” and that we “should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12).

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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