For instance, take this verse from the Old Testament: He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. Psalm 104:14-15. However, the Bible never condemns the consumption of alcohol just the abuse of it. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned. Here at RCSpirtiuality, we develop and produce online Catholic resources to help all of us grow as Complete Christians. There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). Everything You Need to Know About Holy Week. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. But they are put off by arbitrary rules created by Christians. Only if I got mad about it! Because of course the State has every right to give me a ticket, just no right to tell me its a sin. 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. This leads you to do things that you wont otherwise do when youre sober such as brawling and excessive cursing. In my experience, underage drinking tends to go hand-in-hand with a culture of lukewarmness, a general lowering of zeal, and a subtle openness to other forms of sin. There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer. Harmful to body, mind and soul. Drinking of wine and alcohol is fine, its one of the reasons I became Catholic. Alcoholic drinks are accessible and available everywhere. Whats the wisest and most loving thing for me to do. He was no stranger to alcohol: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But the reality is the Bible teaches that alcohol can be a good and enjoyable thing. Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. It helps strengthen our control over our bodily desires and avoid unhealthy attachment to the material world. But observing such a dynamic over several years, I can only conclude that rather than seriously evangelizing others, the purported evangelizers simply begin to lose their spiritual edge. There are numerous Bible verses that extol alcohol and ones that give dire warnings regarding its intake. Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. A positive criterion might be this: When you feel relaxed, that is a good time to stop drinking. Steve Ray: I was in bed in that hotel for 24 hours, and I said to my wife, Im never gonna get drunk again ever, that was horrible. So thats the only time Ive ever been drunk, and I didnt do it on purpose. Jesus said, If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away (Matthew 5:30). If you find your reasoning and thinking beginning to get corrupted, youve gone too far. But this issue isnt just a personal decision, its one that needs to be made in community. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see. What does the Bible say about drinking? It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. We meet every second Saturday of the month at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. Thats adding to the Bible, it doesnt say that. In the case of State laws that reinforce the natural law to break one would always be to sin. The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. Similar to drinking alcohol, the Catholic Church does not prohibit smoking. If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). How would you have answered these questions: Is drinking a sin? Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. Its absolutely acceptable and normal. 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. So when Christians say that its a sin to drink they are adding rules to the Bible. A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life. Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. Hence, water, lemonade, soda, water, ginger ale . Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). To see sin as simply breaking a law is not much better. For example, dont drink when hanging out with a friend who struggles with alcohol. But all these points to the same thing: drinking is not sinful as long its in moderation. Copyright 2023 Core Christianity. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. David: Yeah. Here, he instructs us to radically avoid the near occasion of sin. Outright disobedience to the civil law must be treated with the utmost seriousness. There are other aspects of drinking that may be sinful;for example, its impact on the health of the body. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Should a Christian Date Someone with a History of Sexual Sin in Their Life. So what about praying while feeling the effects? It deprives you of judgment and reason, gifts that God has given us to lead a righteous life. And ten minutes later, ka-BOOM, it hit me and I was on the floor. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:21). Remember that being a Christian and a Catholic means following in Christs footsteps. Some people think that its a necessary evil and that celebrations arent complete without alcohol. Not because the police officer would suddenly make me feel guilty of committing sin, but because I would not want to pay the fine. Only you can really judge what your limit should be. So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? Many of todays varieties use modern fermentation methods that produce higher levels of alcohol than could ever have been achieved in biblical times. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. Sometimes evangelization is the reputed reason why some students want to engage in and permit (and even encourage) underage drinking. I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? (1 Tim. You will never leave an impact on anyone if you just hold onto your freedoms and do what you want. Catholics & Bible do not intend to provide any health related advice. And in Ecclesiastes 9:7, the prophet is clear that we should enjoy alcohol as a gift from God: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago. Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Part of developing into a mature Christian is recognizing that we are given both freedom and responsibility. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. If this is the case, then it's safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Its a case of excusing ones own drunkenness and yet somehow still pretending to maintain the letter of the law. Sinful. As in many things, occasional, limited drinking of alcohol is a matter between each believer and God. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). So by all means, alcoholic drinks are not evil. We should also consider how it effects those around us. Ideally a Catholic should always be striving to do the best at every moment. Does giving a meaningless gift give you more or less joy than giving a meaningful gift? You must have a strong resolve and an equally strong sense of self-discipline. For instance, Proverbs 21:17. Thats why Paul said,I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.(1 Corinthians 9:19-23). He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. Enjoy wine, beer, or any other alcoholic beverage if you so choose, but only as is honoring to Christ and your fellow human beings. Your decision-making and critical thinking abilities are significantly impaired. 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. Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as drinking alcohol. Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? But for the sake of those weaker in faith, do not do itbecause those weaker in faith may see their brethren eating food sacrificed to idols and it may unwittingly lead them into idolatry. Note, however, that you dont always have to get drunk for it to become a sin. What does the Bible say about alcohol? That tends to drag down your circle of acquaintances over time, or puts you in the wrong circles to begin with. Have you ever found yourself giving gifts to others while neglecting to give gifts to yourself? I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. Some people claim drinking is a sin because it hurts your testimony. Its up to you to make the judgment. you had no idea the punch at the party was strong), thats a venial sin. In some states like Texas its perfectly legal to drink with parental supervision. How should we approach alcoholic drinks as Catholics? 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. Would that be sinful? To the extent that the answer is noto the extent that I insist on underage drinking just because I want toto that extent perhaps my own conversion has not yet fully taken hold. Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isn't a sin, but overindulging in it can be. Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. All Rights Reserved. The law is very clear in stating the speed that is legal in that area. But what St. Paul says, in Ephesians 5:18, is: Do not get drunk with wine, for that is a waste, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. So Jesus turned water into wine, and the Aramaic word for wedding feast that Jesus was at, the Aramaic word means a drinking party, so Jesus went to a drinking party and he drank wine with, you knowso drinking of wine or alcohol is never considered a sin. The problem, however, comes when one abuses alcohol. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. If you are harming your health - It's our responsibility to take care of our health, which is a gift from God ( CCC 2288 ). And occasionally, these same otherwise stand-up Catholics find themselves in compromising situations, often sexuallyeither individually after a night of drinking, or with someone else. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! Nothing should hinder that. Why Is June the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? Who is St. Agnes of Rome, the Virgin and Martyr? But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. What does the Bible say? It is my opinion that our young people will face much greater moral difficulties than we can presently imagine. In these articles that are intended to accompany The Catechism in a Year podcast, we will present a travel guide through the major themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Alcoholic drinks have been around since 5400BC, which means the availability of fermented beverages was around even before Jesus arrived. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. But it is not Catholic. While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. We hope we were able to answer your question, is it a sin to get drunk? Is getting drunk a mortal sin? For centuries, monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries. If you are in a country where you have to be above a certain age in order to legally consume alcohol, then it is sinful to break the law. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. For starters, Jesus drank. 97, a. Father. For one thing, that word is all-too-often used when people are talking about abstinence and or celibacy. And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. I disagree that you can be justifiably upset for getting pulled over at 3 over the speed limit. []. I know this makes some uncomfortable; we like to know exactly where that line is. Catholics & Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All rights reserved. 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). (Only if a law is clearly unjustsuch as with Martin Luther King, Jr.s disobedience of segregation lawsshould a law be disobeyed). Please consider supporting RCSpirituality with a donation today. Here are a few of them: Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:18. Sometimes. This seems to approach relativism in my opinion. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. Dont let it leave you empty inside. The login page will open in a new tab. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. 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? And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. The Bible says that we should consider how our actions effect those around us (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8). He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. , The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. , For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.. Would Jesus drink a beer with me? The Church teaches that drunkenness, i.e., the abuse of alcohol, is a sin but not moderate consumption (CCC 2290). Some people can take several bottles of beer and they are fine. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldnt be a sin. Others get drunk on just one bottle. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. The alcohol in the Bible did not have a lower alcohol content. As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. In fact, we even have a sacramental wine or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. Alcohol is a funny guy. Also, wine isnt the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesnt mean it has to be avoided. Heres a few of the most commonly used Bible verses about alcohol: Ephesians 5:18, Numbers 28:7-10, Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:23, Proverbs 23:20-21, Romans 14:21, Isaiah 5:22, Leviticus 10:9, Ecclesiastes 9:7, 1 Timothy 3:8, Proverbs 31:6-7, Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14, The above list is far from exhaustive, but it gives us a solid picture of alcohol in the Bible. Please log in again. Drinking alcoholic beverages is not a sin. Sola Media Group is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal ID # 27-0565982. Theres that little voice inside that tells you, Ive had enough and should stop there.. God gave us a community to help us strive for holiness. And such a habit will spare you a lot of grief throughout your life. Here is another traffic example. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. Leave a comment below! In fact, alcohol is inherently good. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. 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 (Luke 17:1-2). 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. If youre interested to know more about the depths of sin and how it is part of our daily lives, and how we can overcome it, we suggest for you to check out our posts on Is it a Sin to Overeat? You can go to confession or pray to God for forgiveness. Its a case of excusing ones own drunkenness and yet somehow still pretending to maintain the letter of the law. ( 1 Tim. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in the United States each year. If you become dependent on alcohol, seek help. Weve already touched on this a little above. But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. If you go 1 mile per hour over, you are breaking the law. First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. This is why combining drinking alcohol with the operation of any kind of machinery, including a motor vehicle, is so dangerous. Excessive drinking, defined as "binge drinking" or. Driving in an impaired state could be a mortal sin since it puts others as well as oneself at risk of death or serious harm. performed while intoxicated were not freely willed in themselves, they were willed in their causenamely, deliberate drunkenessand so the drinker is responsible for them as though he had chosen them deliberately. What does the Bible say about drinking? Is drinking a sin, or is just drunkenness a sin? Our true dependence should be on God. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? Of course. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. Feeling the effects of alcohol is not the same as outright drunkenness. Drinking is a sin when done in excess. No, dont quote me, Im just kidding. The only thing thats clear is the abuse of alcohol through drunkenness or addiction is a sin. Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. It can cause us to lose control of our free will and reason when we drink to excess. (Gal. 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. Widespread and more or less universal custom takes on the authority of law. 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. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. She is exceedingly grateful for both the loving kindness of many people and the sound Christian doctrine that helped her to keep on living after her son died in a skiing accident in 2006. in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? Complete this form to receive the weekly email and create a FREE account, which provides access to member only content. 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. However, as per the virtue of temperance in CCC 2290, excessive use of tobacco is sinful. In the seminary, I came across a book of no small thickness explaining how Jesus did not use fermented wine at table. Would I do so if a police car was parked on the side of the road? If we indulge in these worldly pleasures, we wont be able to share in his suffering. In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. There are certain cultures and countries where drinking would prohibit the spread of the Gospel. Obviously, the Son of Man isnt a drunkard. 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. However, it is well worth it. Deliberately and knowingly harming your health is a sin. 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. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. The other aspect that is typically almost entirely missing in this discussion is the charity we owe to our brothers and sisters and the recognition that our actions affect others. It means that we should act cautiously. Lighting up is not a sin. Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. 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. In personal life he is a proud father of a boy and twin girls. Dont forget to share your thoughts! The principle is clear: charity demands that we take into account how our actions affect others. Never battle alone. as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. 5:1521). Many times the Bible says that drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians 5:6, Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3 to name a few). That includes sharing in His sufferings. St. Paul writes: 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? As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. There are certain lines that aregoing out and committing adultery, theres no question about that. The Bible talks about alcohol in both positive and negative terms. People often recreationally drink without sinning, i.e., enjoying the taste and the social exchange that takes place between friends. At a family meal, a 17 year old can have some champagne to toast her grandmothers birthday because her father is there, but if her 20-year-old cousin who happens to be visiting without her parents is there she shouldnt because it would be a sin? Jesus drank wine and was falsely accused of being a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). 5:11; Luke 1:15). We know this from what the Bible says and from historians who have studied alcohol during this time period. Some religious groups view alcohol as a gift from God, one that allows the spirit to enter the body. No. Yet, even if you dont drink and drive, excessive alcohol consumption greatly impairs your ability to reason. The spread of the Gospel is more important. Learn how your comment data is processed. That same person might do well to skip the second or third beer if he has to drive a car afterward. Jesus constantly reached out to sinners, but never in compromising situations. Instead of condemning them, Jesus understood, which earned Him the ire of the self-righteous Pharisees. No. All rights reserved. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. He gave them to us as a gift that gladdens human hearts. 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. Heres 6 lessons from the Bible that will help us navigate the question, is drinking a sin? There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. 1o4:1415). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. For one thing, it gives the student an overly legalistic approach to the moral law, it reinforces his latent Calvinism, it gives far too much moral authority to the State, it is simply not true. Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. I hope this post gave you some comfort if you are planning to have a drink sometime soon. 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. No. No. Believers who feel it is safer not to drink any alcohol have the freedom to abstain. Share your review! He is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. 1 Timothy 5: 23. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. Is drinking a sin? Heres a quick guide to clear things up. Thosewho choose to drink alcoholic beverages must always do so responsiblydoing no harm to others or themselves.
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