The Bible makes frequent reference to alcohol, with passages providing guidance on its usage and possible risks. Some texts emphasize the importance of drinking responsibly, while others caution against the negative effects of binge drinking.
These 30 Best Bible Verses About Alcohol offer insight into God’s viewpoint, whether you’re looking for biblical advice on self-control, moderation, or the consequences of intoxication. Examine these verses to learn how to balance taking use of God’s blessings with avoiding the dangers of overindulging.
Warnings Against Drunkenness
The Bible emphasizes the detrimental effects of alcohol on one’s spiritual and personal well-being and issues strong warnings against it. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise,” according to Proverbs 20:1, emphasizing how alcohol can cause foolish choices. Likewise, believers are cautioned in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit,” to seek the Holy Spirit’s counsel instead of indulging in alcohol.
As Proverbs 23:29–35 illustrates, excessive drinking frequently results in misery, including grief, conflict, and addiction among those who “tarry long at the wine.” Those who put alcohol before morality are further condemned in Isaiah 5:11, which states, “Woe unto them that rise up early…
Moderation and Self-Control
While the Bible does not explicitly condemn alcohol consumption, it does place a heavy emphasis on moderation and self-control. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities,” according to 1 Timothy 5:23, demonstrating that alcohol can be helpful when used sensibly.
According to Psalm 104:14–15, God gives wine to “gladden the heart of man,” suggesting that it can be consumed in moderation.
30 Best Bible Verse about Alcohol
Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Alcohol can lead to foolishness and uncontrolled behavior.
Ephesians 5:18 – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
Instead of seeking fulfillment in alcohol, Christians are encouraged to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 23:29-30 – “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? … They that tarry long at the wine.”
Excessive drinking leads to troubles, sorrow, and conflict.
Proverbs 23:31-32 – “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red… at the last it biteth like a serpent.”
Alcohol may appear tempting, but it ultimately brings harm.
Isaiah 5:22 – “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”
Overindulgence in alcohol is condemned and leads to negative consequences.
Habakkuk 2:15 – “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”
Encouraging or pressuring others to drink excessively is sinful.
1 Corinthians 6:10 – “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards… shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Habitual drunkenness separates people from God’s kingdom.
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are manifest… drunkenness… shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Drunkenness is grouped with other sinful behaviors that lead away from God.
Hosea 4:11 – “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.”
Alcohol can dull spiritual awareness and lead to immorality.
Isaiah 28:7 – “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way.”
Even spiritual leaders can be led astray by alcohol.
1 Timothy 5:23 – “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
Wine has medicinal benefits, but it should be consumed in moderation.
Psalm 104:14-15 – “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man.”
Alcohol, when used wisely, can be a source of joy.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 – “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart.”
Wine can be enjoyed responsibly as part of a blessed life.
Luke 7:33-34 – “The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber.”
Jesus Himself drank wine, but without excess.
Titus 2:2-3 – “That the aged men be sober… the aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not given to much wine.”
Christians are called to moderation and self-discipline.
Romans 14:21 – “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.”
If alcohol leads others into sin, it is better to abstain.
Proverbs 31:4-5 – “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine… lest they drink, and forget the law.”
Leaders should be careful with alcohol to maintain sound judgment.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Even drinking should be done in a way that honors God.
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Sobriety helps believers stay spiritually alert.
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Every action, including drinking, should reflect Christ’s character.
Isaiah 5:11 – “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink.”
Those who prioritize alcohol risk facing God’s judgment.
Micah 2:11 – “If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.”
False teachers may encourage drinking, but God’s truth warns against excess.
Lamentations 4:21 – “Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.”
Alcohol can lead to shameful behavior.
Judges 13:4 – “Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink.”
Samson’s mother was commanded to avoid alcohol for a holy purpose.
Leviticus 10:9 – “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die.”
Priests were forbidden from drinking alcohol when serving God.
Numbers 6:3 – “He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.”
Those who took a Nazirite vow abstained from alcohol as a sign of devotion.
Matthew 24:49-50 – “And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him.”
Drunkenness leads to a lack of spiritual readiness.
Revelation 17:2 – “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
Alcohol is used symbolically to represent spiritual corruption.
Deuteronomy 29:6 – “Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.”
Abstaining from alcohol can be a way to remain spiritually focused.
1 Samuel 1:14-15 – “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered… I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.”
True fulfillment comes not from alcohol but from seeking God in prayer.
Summary
The Bible offers unambiguous advice on alcohol use, stressing the value of self-control, moderation, and the risks associated with binge drinking. Proverbs 20:1 and Ephesians 5:18 are two examples of scriptures that caution against intoxication, emphasizing how it results in bad judgment and immoral actions. Nevertheless, the Bible does not entirely prohibit alcohol; passages such as Psalm 104:14–15 and 1 Timothy 5:23 recognize that wine can be advantageous when ingested in moderation.
Titus 2:2–3 exhorts believers to practice self-control and make sure their deeds glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Because heavy drinking causes bad outcomes, including shame, recklessness, and spiritual breakdown, it is condemned (Isaiah 5:11, Galatians 5:19-21). Christians are ultimately expected to make wise and godly decisions while remaining sober and watchful (1 Peter 5:8).
