Excessive use of alcohol can lead to many short and long-term health problems as well. Sports teams, some religious orders, and many other organizations all have forbidden drinking alcohol. One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Pauls admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons: No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. Leave a comment below! This teaching is echoed in the New Testament . Paul also exhorts Christians to abstain from drinking alcohol in situations where doing so could cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom. Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. How would you have answered these questions: Is drinking a sin? A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life and with respect to his impact upon others. Part of developing into a mature Christian is recognizing that we are given both freedom and responsibility. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. To sum it up, God created wine and drinking for our enjoyment. Or are we kind of beating a dead horse here? There are people in our life that we have the opportunity to positively influence. Of course an organization has every right to forbid underage drinking, or even drinking at all. All Rights Reserved. There is very good reason to detach young people from giving such over reaching authority to the State. Alcohol is complicated, and today many dont know what the Catholic Church teaches about it. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you dont slip into drunkenness. Andrew Swafford is Associate Professor of Theology at Benedictine College. A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. (Matt. Each person is in a unique situation and will have to determine this themselves. It is my opinion that our young people will face much greater moral difficulties than we can presently imagine. I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. However, as per the virtue of temperance in CCC 2290, excessive use of tobacco is sinful. As Catholics, we are required to respect the civil governing authority assuming that they are working for the common good and that the law is not unjust. Something else to consider is the health effect of smoking. 20:1), Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. It can cause us to lose control of our free will and reason when we drink to excess. Psalms 104 says that wine gladdens the heart of main. There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. Moreover, you might want to be careful not to build your social life around drinking. So, why do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when its not in the Bible? It is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? We believe everyone should have access to this, which is why we offer so many of our resources for free. Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? If Jesus is really Lord of my entire life, then the question is simply this: am I willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel? Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? It is illegal to run a red light. In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. Absolutely not. Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. (Eph. We should be okay with a little grey. But whether its a venial sin or a mortal sin depends on the circumstances. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. Lets hear from you! Help us continue providing authentic Catholic spirituality! Is it only a near occasion of sin? What does the Bible say about drinking? For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? He lives with his wife Sarah and their four children in Atchison, Kansas. The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14 says that wine is a blessing from God and a few chapters later it says having no wine is a curse (Deuteronomy 28:38, 51). Which view is correct? Try finding a Super Bowl party where alcohol isnt part of the festivities. Catholic Prayers For Protection From Evil, 9 Catholic Saints To Pray To For Fertility, Signal Graces: What They Are and How To Spot Them, 7 Saints Considered to be the Patron of Sailors, Catholic Prayers to Restore a Childs Health. Also, wine isnt the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. I think the scripture has this, near occasion for sin. The law is very clear in stating the speed that is legal in that area. But, if other people see you drinking or purchasing alcohol, and by that are led to go against . There are certain cultures and countries where drinking would prohibit the spread of the Gospel. Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. Sometimes you have to give up something so that you can gain influence in someones life to help them see the change they need to make. In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you. Well deal with those in the next point. Paul told Timothy, Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness (1 Timothy 5:23). Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. It might seem that up to this point that as long as you dont get drunk or become addicted its okay for Christians to drink. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (. In extreme cases, it can even lead to sexual harassment and murder. 10:31). Even though these actions were done out of your own free will because of your drunkenness, you are still held responsible for them, as you chose to be in the state of intoxication deliberately. 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. That it is always a sin to break a law of the State is believed by the majority of Catholics because, as the late Cardinal George once said, American Catholics are Puritans who go to Mass on Sunday. In the moral realm Americans tend to adopt toward State law a puritanical thinking sometimes mixed with small amounts Jansenism. Why? Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. But I wanted to address it from the other side. One common argument is that wine in the Bible is really nothing more than grape juice. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. But if you abuse it, you are no better than the people who waste their life on worldly pleasures. What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol? Throughout the Old Testament alcohol is seen as a blessing from God. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Many years ago it was not uncommon for a Diocese to ask their newly ordained priests not to drink for the first five years or so of their priesthood. For example, in the Proverbs verse above, its talking about drinking too much wine because the next few verses describe things that typically happen during drunkenness like, Your eyes will see strange things and your heart utter perverse things. that are put in place for our protection in Gods providence (Rom. The problem, however, comes when one abuses alcohol. Thats why Paul said,I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.(1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Why would a State that allows 19 year old people go to war, have abortions, smoke marijuana, have a sex change operation, marry and divorce, not allow 19 year old people to have a drink at a bar? This does have its good points, a people who slavishly follow the laws of the State make for a well ordered society, and it does help keep people from being lax and disregarding State law as unimportant. If your drinking hinders someone coming to know Jesus than we should abstain. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. The spread of the Gospel is more important. So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. Instead of condemning them, Jesus understood, which earned Him the ire of the self-righteous Pharisees. Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022March 22, 2021 | Featured, What Does the Bible Say About What does the Bible say about drinking? To use the argument that the State says it is illegal and thus a sin may be easier and more effective, but it does in fact stunt a students moral growth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in the United States each year. Its sort like of this: if you want to be a Jediif you want to go all in with Christthis is what it takes: for at that point, there is no aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. And lets not forget that Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine And no it wasnt grape juice. Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! We should keep a close eye to make sure nothing takes the place of God in our life. For example, dont drink when hanging out with a friend who struggles with alcohol. Thats not a matter of moderation. For a sin to be mortal, it has to be grave, you have to know its wrong, and you have to do it willingly. Some Christians think it is perfectly fine to drink alcohol, while others believe it is sinful to partake. We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. The Bible holds drinking in tension. Commercials, advertisements, social media, movies, and television heavily promote beer, wine, and liquor as means to having a fun and active social life. In this state, not only does the drinker pose a risk to themselves but also to others. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. What if the State forbid celebrating Mass (Saudi Arabia)? But drinking was such a part of peoples everyday life back then. Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion. Why Is June the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? you had no idea the punch at the party was strong), thats a venial sin. Does that mean that even an occasional cigar is a sin? With all good things, we must practice moderation. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. Living a life dedicated to God makes as much sense as the sunshine in our world. I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? In some cases there are benefits to drinking. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. The same teaching shows up in 1 Corinthians 8, where the issue is whether or not Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. and Is Manifesting a Sin? age restrictions for alcohol consumption, intoxication level limits while driving a vehicle, etc.) This means that when one starts to feel it, its time to slow down or back off. If alcohol is not controlled in your country, then feel free to drink. It may sound simple but practicing temperance requires a will of steel. The apostle Peter reminds believers, Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. Here are two Bible verses that warn against excessive use of alcohol: Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 4). Even in light of the many biblical warnings regarding the abuse of alcohol, Christians have the liberty to enjoy this gift from God within the boundaries of Gods moral law. How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles? In fact, I would wager that I have almost never (if ever) seen a student involved in underage drinking who is totally on fire for Jesus. The reality is there isnt a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.. Some people think that its a necessary evil and that celebrations arent complete without alcohol. Or if youre an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying Ill just have one is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. And this, according to St. Peter, isnt the true mark of a Christian: For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 1 Peter 4:3. Where in the World Can I Find Authentic Joy. But in the first century there were certain benefits to light drinking. The Bible talks about the medicinal qualities of alcohol. We should strive for unity rather then create division. It wasnt until recently that Christians started to ask, is drinking a sin? Another possible explanation for the apparent acceptability of alcohol consumption in the Bible is that the wine back then most likely contained lower levels of alcohol and was therefore less intoxicating. Fasting means taking a break from it for a time to grow closer to God. A little one here could refer to age or ones spiritual state. While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. It might actually help your witness to have a beer with your neighbor and break down some of the misconceptions about Christianity. No, I think that youre correct. In some states like Texas its perfectly legal to drink with parental supervision. If you knowingly drink alcohol to the point of intoxication, then thats a mortal sin. As the popes have pointed out many times, the modern age has lost its sense of sin. Alcohol is bad when abused. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. Thats not to say theres no warnings. But the case is different with underage drinking: in the vast majority of places across the country, one certainly would not drink underage while standing next to a police officer. Over time and as such a culture becomes predominantagain, amidst otherwise serious Catholicsthe general temperature of their zeal for holiness begins to go down; they often still go through the Catholic motions, but the vigor and vitality that comes from knowing Jesus personallyto the point where one gives him their entire lifesubsides. Or even more important and moral, I would not want to put the police officer in the awkward position of feeling obligated to chase me down for something that hurt no one if in fact he thought he actually had a moral responsibility to do such a trivial thing. In the New Testament, Jesus not only turned water into wine. In this latter case the intoxication would be a venial sin. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isnt a sin, but overindulging in it can be. Is drinking a sin? Ive seen numerous articles written on this topic. But in some topics the Bible just doesnt do that. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement.
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