Heres Ephesians 5:18. The Powerful Meaning Of Psalm 121 (my help comes from the Lord), How To Know When To Leave A Church (and 5 things to do before changing churches), The REAL Philippians 4:13 Meaning (I can do all things through Christ). What does the Bible say about alcohol? Excessive drinking, defined as "binge drinking" or. In State laws that are meant to protect the common good it would be a sin only if the action does in fact hurt the common good. I know this makes some uncomfortable; we like to know exactly where that line is. Ive drank too much in my life, but Ive only been drunk once in my life, and that was when I had heard that you had to try Sangria, its really good. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). Father. The apostle Peter reminds believers, Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. In fact, the Bible says. In some cases there are benefits to drinking. Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). Enjoy wine, beer, or any other alcoholic beverage if you so choose, but only as is honoring to Christ and your fellow human beings. However, sins of priests and bishops that were not crimes were easily overlooked. Lets take an absurd case. And in so doing, it often leads us to more sin such as violence and fornication. What does the Bible say about drinking? God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. How should we approach alcoholic drinks as Catholics? No, I think that youre correct. If they are dulled, then the overall spiritual ethos of campus goes way down. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very concise on this point, and simply says, The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Weve already touched on this a little above. The Bible holds drinking in tension. In the seminary, I came across a book of no small thickness explaining how Jesus did not use fermented wine at table. Heres what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the issue (CCC 2290). How would you have answered these questions: Is drinking a sin? All Rights Reserved. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldn't be a sin. 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. God gave us a community to help us strive for holiness. So when I was in Spain, I ordered a Sangria. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. The law is very clear in stating the speed that is legal in that area. Is drinking a sin? No. Note, however, that you dont always have to get drunk for it to become a sin. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. The Catholic Church continues to support alcohol consumption in moderation. Copyright 2019-2023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is not a sin just because it is on the list of sins. 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. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. So, why do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when its not in the Bible? The spread of the Gospel is more important. 2023 Ascension Press. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. Similar to drinking alcohol, the Catholic Church does not prohibit smoking. Is Drinking Alcohol Inherently a Sin? You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. To make things very concrete, drunkenness has set in when you cannot (or should not) drive a car. But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. David: Yeah. What if the Sate forbid having more than two children (China), would it be a sin to get pregnant with the third? In the middle of the 19th Century, alcoholism was wide spread in America and thus there were many successful attempts to limit its use by pointing out its moral deficiency. Theres no standard marker that signifies when youve crossed over into the sin of drunkenness. However, as per the virtue of temperance in CCC 2290, excessive use of tobacco is sinful. Excessive eating is also . Alcoholic drinks are accessible and available everywhere. Further, there are the requirements of civil law. What ever other benefits a higher drinking age might bring, that is the purpose of the law. Under these cases, it would be a sin as the person has broken a promise. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. In fact the benedictine monks I spent a few days with break out wine and beer after dinner on Sundays. And lets not forget that Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine And no it wasnt grape juice. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. The only thing thats clear is the abuse of alcohol through drunkenness or addiction is a sin. This is why combining drinking alcohol with the operation of any kind of machinery, including a motor vehicle, is so dangerous. Nor will we be deserving to inherit Gods kingdom. There are lots of bible verses about drinking and drunkenness. 1o4:1415). 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? Caller: Yes, and I guess the one last thing is: if you are an addict and have a history of problems with that, to even just have one or two, does that matter? Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion. It is my opinion that our young people will face much greater moral difficulties than we can presently imagine. People often recreationally drink without sinning, i.e., enjoying the taste and the social exchange that takes place between friends. 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. There is very good reason to detach young people from giving such over reaching authority to the State. Or it was so diluted with water it doesnt really count as alcohol. But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. The people around you are more important your personal freedoms. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns drunken excess and illegal drugs in #2290-2291: The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess:. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Go to Nightclubs?, Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Read the Bible on My Own?, Ask a Priest: What If My Friends Family Doesnt Accept My Annulment?, Spiritual Smoothie: The Christian Difference, Ask a Priest: How Do I Respond to Attacks on the Church?. in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? What Does The Catholic Church Say About Drinking Alcohol? Inevitably, students point to the fact that they can go to war and vote at eighteen. However, the vast majority of non-christians are not put off by drinking in western culture. 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. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Now that weve looked at what the Bible says about alcohol lets switch over to application. A little one here could refer to age or ones spiritual state. Would saying Mass in a hotel room be a sin? 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. If ever in doubt about whether you crossed the line, then just go to confession and put it behind you and resolve not to cross the line again. These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. Anyone who aspires to do the same as us, and is a confirmed Catholic is welcome to join us! Here is another traffic example. 97, a. So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? Jesus had the following to say regarding people who criticized him for drinking alcohol: For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Look at him! You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol. Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? Also, wine isnt the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. In other words, some might assume Catholics can't have funor can't enjoy alcohol. [] This appeared at Ascension Press. Their presence has been around for years and years and has been really ingrained in society. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. When he pointed out to the scandalized person that Jesus also drank wine, the response was, I know, I never liked that about him. Such has been Americas somewhat abnormal relationship with liqueur. The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. This is absurd. With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: is drinking a sin? Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. Other examples of abusing good things include overdosing on medicine, neglecting your health and family because of work, and even eating too much chocolate cake. To legalistically use the State to reinforce sin does not help matters. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Listen to Jesus words when it comes to leading others into sin, whether intentional or not: Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). Often, their lives begin to revolve around a party culture: Which party should we go to? Or, even on an ordinary day in the middle of the week: What are we drinking tonight?. This is why so many Scripture passages warn against excessive consumption of wine and strong drink (a beverage containing a significant amount of alcohol; some Bible verses that mention "strong drink" include Lev. The reality is there isnt a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. They drank alcohol during many social functions, including church events like ordinations. 5:8). And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Drunkenness is also mentioned in Galatians 5:19. The Litany of Humility: What Is It and Where Did It. Especially as we continue to face a State that is becoming more draconian in its laws. What Miracles Did Pope John Paul II Perform? You know, everything in Christianity seems to be regarded as a matter of moderation, doing things in moderation. Just like in other things, if you drink alcohol too much, and you are well aware that you are drinking too much, then it becomes a sin. Saint Paul answers this question clearly: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18). A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. (Matt. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. If we make it seem like this is ok, its very easy for people to start being lax in other laws, natural or civil, that work for them or that people dont enforce. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. This is because excessive drinking robs us of our reason and leads us to act in destructive ways that simply are not in harmony with our own human dignity and the dignity of those around us. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. Also, if we were pulled over for going three miles per hour over the speed limit, we would be justifiably upsetbecause such an action would contradict nearly universal custom in terms of the enforcement of speeding laws in our country. But is it a sin? I hope that helps a little bit. Sola Media Group is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal ID # 27-0565982. Some verses warn about the dangers of alcohol while others talk about it as a blessing. Second, each person has a particular tolerance to alcohol, and each person has to learn his limits. In the case of State laws that reinforce the natural law to break one would always be to sin. 13:1). Some people point out that wine drinking combated the problem of poor water quality in biblical times as the ingredients in wine killed harmful microorganisms present in raw water. Sometimes being in this state, may lead you to do actions that are sinful, such as violence, fornication, or saying nonsense hurtful words to others. Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. We may lose influence because of the choices we make. What if the State (Sweden) forbid spanking your child, would it be sin to pooch your five year old in the behind? Those claiming that all drinking is a sin dont have support from the Bible. age restrictions for alcohol consumption, intoxication level limits while driving a vehicle, etc.) They then proceed to draw a moral equivalence between this and underage drinking. Rather, it is on the list of sins because it is contrary to our dignity and damaging to the constructive use of our freedom that is essential to our friendship with God.