12 Bible Verses About Drinking Alcohol

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
Published on:

Looking for guidance on drinking alcohol from a biblical perspective? This article provides twelve powerful Bible verses about drinking alcohol, including warnings against drunkenness and encouragement for moderation and self-control.

Additionally, the article suggests four Bible chapters to read for further insight on how Christians should approach the consumption of alcohol and emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects God’s values and principles.

Discover ideas and concepts related to drinking alcohol that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

Bible verses about drinking alcohol

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about drinking alcohol:

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

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

3. “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.” – Romans 14:21

4. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” – Proverbs 23:29-30

5. “And that ye put a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;” – Leviticus 10:10

6. “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.” – Luke 5:37-38

7. “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 5:11
8. “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.” – Proverbs 23:31
9. “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.” – Psalm 104:15
10. “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” – Proverbs 23:21
11. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8
12. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” – Ephesians 5:18 (repeated for emphasis)

What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol?

The Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol, but it does warn against drunkenness and the negative consequences that come with it.

It also encourages moderation and self-control in all areas of life, including drinking.

Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the importance of not causing others to stumble or be led astray by our actions, including our drinking habits.

Ultimately, the Bible teaches that our focus should be on glorifying God and living a life that reflects His values and principles.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about drinking alcohol?

1. Proverbs 23 – This chapter warns against the dangers of excessive drinking and the negative consequences that can result from it. It also emphasizes the importance of self-control and moderation.

2. Ephesians 5 – This chapter encourages believers to live a life of purity and to avoid behaviors that can lead to sin. It specifically mentions drunkenness as one of these behaviors and urges believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead.

3. 1 Corinthians 6 – This chapter addresses the issue of sexual immorality and how it is incompatible with the Christian faith. It also mentions drunkenness as a sin that can lead to other sinful behaviors.

4. Galatians 5 – This chapter contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. One of the works of the flesh listed is drunkenness, while one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control.

These chapters are relevant to drinking alcohol because they provide guidance on how Christians should approach the consumption of alcohol. While the Bible does not explicitly forbid drinking alcohol, it does warn against the dangers of excessive drinking and encourages believers to exercise self-control and moderation. These chapters also emphasize the importance of living a life of purity and avoiding behaviors that can lead to sin.

Ideas and concepts related to drinking alcohol that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

The Bible talks about several concepts related to drinking alcohol, including:

1. Drunkenness: The Bible warns against getting drunk and losing control of oneself. This is because drunkenness can lead to sinful behavior and can harm one’s relationships with others and with God.

2. Moderation: The Bible encourages moderation in all things, including alcohol consumption. It advises people to be self-controlled and to avoid excess.

3. Temptation: The Bible acknowledges that alcohol can be a temptation for some people, and advises them to avoid situations where they might be tempted to drink excessively.

4. Addiction: The Bible recognizes that alcohol can be addictive and advises people to be cautious and to seek help if they struggle with addiction.

5. Social drinking: The Bible does not condemn social drinking, but advises people to be mindful of their behavior and to avoid causing others to stumble.

Overall, the Bible teaches that alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation, but that excessive drinking and drunkenness can lead to sin and harm. It encourages self-control and caution when it comes to alcohol consumption.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.