Did Jesus Drink Alcohol?
In Scripture, we have several things said about alcohol. In answer to that question, 'Did Jesus drink alcohol?' we have to remember that in John Chapter 2, the first miracle that Jesus performed was to turn water into wine at the wedding of Cana. And, in fact, it was such good wine that at the end of this wedding feast, the guest came to the master of the feast and said, 'Usually you save the bad wine for last, but you've saved the best wine for last,' and this was Jesus' first miracle. So Scripture nowhere gives just a flat-out denunciation of alcohol. In fact, on the contrary, there are positive things that are said about wine. In Psalm 104, for example, says that God has given wine to gladden men's hearts. On the other hand, there are warnings about the abuse of wine and alcohol. Scripture over and again warns us against the dangers of drunkenness. You've got that in Proverbs 23; you've got it in Ephesians Chapter 5, 'Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
Should Christians Drink Alcohol?
So there are both positive things that are said and there are warnings about the abuse. So when Christians think about this issue of drinking alcohol today, we've got to consider both of those things. We've got to acknowledge, on the one hand, wine itself is a gift of God. That's what Psalm 104 says. There's nothing wrong with wine itself, and we could compare it to many other things that are gifts of God. Okay, so sex is a gift of God. Sex is a good thing, there's nothing wrong with sex. As Christians, we are not opposed to sex. Money is a gift of God, work is a gift of God. There's a godly ambition to work, produce, and be successful. These things are gifts of God. Relationships are gifts of God, food is a gift of God. But any of these things can be abused. We can make an idol out of any of these things. As Timothy Keller says, we can take a good thing and turn it into an ultimate thing, and then it becomes an idol.
And so when we take this good gift of wine, and we turn it into an ultimate thing, and we begin to use it in ways that God has warned us not to, we begin to use it in ways that God has forbidden us to use it, then it becomes very destructive. And in our culture, we see some of both. There can be ... We can see, at times, healthy uses of alcohol — it can be used in celebration in healthy ways, when there's moderation and restraint — and, of course, we see all kinds of devastation that results from the abuse of alcohol. And so, as Christians, we need to steer a careful course, that on one hand we don't denounce flat-out what the Bible says God has given as a good gift, and on the other hand, we don't fall into the excesses of our culture.
And then, for any particular Christian thinking about this, I think another thing that needs to come into play in our thinking is the principle in Scripture about love and liberty. We have liberty, we've been given freedom in Christ, but the New Testament clearly teaches that love for other people is always meant to trump liberty. So there will be times where there may be something that God will allow a Christian to do, abstractly considered, but there can be a situation where it would be unloving to do so, because it could lead another believer into sin, and so alcohol would be one of those cases.
You may have freedom to drink a beer. Nothing wrong with drinking a beer or drinking a glass of wine. But to do that in the presence of another Christian who comes from a background that entailed alcohol abuse, this person was addicted to alcohol before becoming a Christian, to drink alcohol in that person's presence could be presenting them with a temptation to sin that could be very destructive to that person's faith. And so, in a case like that, your love for that person will trump the liberty or the freedom that you have when you think about just alcohol in and of itself. So love trumps liberty. We always put the other person ahead of ourselves when we think about our freedoms, the things that God has given us.
What Does the Bible Say About Drunkenness
As we saw, when we look at what the Bible says about alcohol, we often see it presented in a positive light. Throughout Scripture, wine is frequently associated with joy and celebration. In Ecclesiastes 9, for example, the writer encourages us to drink wine with a merry heart, highlighting its connection to gladness. In the New Testament, Paul advises Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 to “have a little wine for your stomach,” showing that it was even recommended for practical and medicinal purposes. These passages demonstrate that, in the right context, wine can be seen as a gift from God.
At the same time, Scripture sets clear boundaries regarding alcohol consumption. Ephesians 5:18 warns us, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." This verse makes it clear that while wine itself is not sinful, drunkenness is. The concern is that alcohol can become a controlling substance, and as believers, we are called to be led and filled by the Holy Spirit—not by anything that would impair our judgment or control our actions. Our pursuit of God and how we live our lives should be directed by His Spirit alone.
The Bible gives us clear warnings about the dangers of drunkenness and provides guidance for those who want to honor God in their lives. Proverbs 20:1 tells us, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." Instead of chasing after temporary pleasures, God calls us to be filled with His presence and to live with self-control. 1 Peter 4:3 also encourages us to leave behind sinful habits, including excessive drinking, as part of our new life in Christ.
So how can we stay on guard and avoid falling into temptation? One of the best things we can do is set personal boundaries and know our limits. For some, that might mean choosing to stay away from alcohol completely, while for others, it might mean practicing moderation. Having a plan helps us avoid making impulsive choices that we might regret later. It’s also important to surround ourselves with godly friends and accountability partners who can support us and encourage wise decisions.
When we're in situations where alcohol is present, it’s a good idea to think about how our choices might impact others—especially those who have struggled with addiction. A simple act of consideration can go a long way in showing love and support to those around us. Most importantly, staying connected to God through prayer and His Word helps us develop wisdom and self-control. When we keep our eyes on Him and seek His guidance, we can approach the topic of alcohol with balance and conviction, making choices that reflect our faith and values.
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