What About Drinking Alcohol?

I recently read about the concern surrounding underage drinking in Algona. Many of the young people involved in this activity may wonder why if it is okay for someone over 21 to do it, why can’t they? They may even consider the older generation to be hypocrites. The older generation may argue that they have more experience and are able to act more responsibly. Sadly not everyone in the older generation does act responsibly. That is why organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving have organized to address the irresponsible behavior surrounding alcohol.
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So what does the Bible say to both young and old about drinking? First of all, God makes it clear that drunkenness is a sin. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:10).
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If drunkenness is sinful, why did Jesus turn water into wine when the men were well drunk? Actually the scripture does not say that they were drunk, it simply says that the governor of the feast noted that the best wine was saved till last when typically men waited to serve the best until after men were drunk. The fact that he could tell it was the best shows he was not intoxicated.
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In Bible times, just as today, not all wine had the same alcohol content. In fact, the term wine could include both fermented and non fermented fruit juices. Before refrigeration, fermentation was a means of preserving, but the understanding of the dangers involved with alcohol led to many warnings in scripture concerning this substance. For example, the job of the priest was so important that they were to stay away from wine when serving in the tabernacle. (Leviticus 10:9). Proverbs 20:1 as well warns about it, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
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So if alcohol is so dangerous, why didn’t the Bible just say to totally stay away from it no matter what? I believe the answer is found in the Apostle Paul’s advice to Timothy. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” (I Timothy 5:23) In that day, they did not have refrigeration nor many of the preservatives we now use, so fermentation into alcohol was an efficient way to keep fruit juices from spoiling. Further, many of the water supplies were contaminated and it was likely that Timothy was suffering from dysentery as a result. By drinking wine instead of the water, he could have some relief.
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So what should a Christian do about alcohol today. First of all, there is not a verse that says, “thou shalt not drink alcohol,” but we have already looked at just a couple of verses that warn against drunkenness. I must ask, how much must you drink before you are affected by the alcohol? The laws concerning drunk driving suggest that the amount is very low. I do not want to even come close to being drunk so I just abstain. Along with God’s warnings, consider the obvious sins that occur during drunkenness. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8)
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Because we have clean water and many ways to preserve our drinks I see no need to drink alcohol. Instead of being focused on getting my fill of wine, I want to focus on being filled with a submission to the Spirit of God. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).