Drinking beer, wine and whiskey is a cultural tradition in most countries. Pop culture and heavy marketing campaigns encourage it. Based on the portrayal of drinking in movies and Netflix shows, Yellowstone for example, you’d think everyone drinks shots of whiskey like water. But alcohol is not to be taken lightly. Not only does it cause liver disease and cancer , it can destroy your life slowly or quickly.

Alcoholism runs in my family. I have many alcohol-related regrets, but thankfully I lived long enough to learn that alcohol is not the best way to feel good. Alcohol actually causes rebound depression and worsens many health and life problems.

Last week there was a terrible accident in Austin that killed many people and the driver that caused the crash allegedly had been drinking. That one almost seems like a terror attack , the way he plowed into stopped cars, but I don’t know. Facebook’s AI has decided to show me all the awful things so now I know that these alcohol related accidents are a regular occurrence. I see so many stories of people driving the wrong way down one way highways !

Getting even a little bit intoxicated can also lead to arguments or fights, sexual immorality, job loss, mental health issues and family dysfunctions that get passed down. Alcohol loosens the tongue and makes us forget our common sense. The Bible warns us about the power of alcohol.

The following is what ChatGPT said when I asked it what the Bible says about the dangers of alcohol. I could have typed that up myself , but it’s all good so I didn’t .

The Bible repeatedly warns about the dangers of alcohol and its potential to lead people into sin, poor judgment, and disgrace. Here are some notable examples:

1. Noah’s Drunkenness (Genesis 9:20-27)

• What happened?

• Noah planted a vineyard, became drunk, and was found naked in his tent.

• His son Ham saw him and dishonored him, leading to a curse on Canaan.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol led to vulnerability, shame, and family strife.

• It shows how even a righteous man can stumble after drinking.

2. Lot and His Daughters (Genesis 19:30-38)

• What happened?

• After escaping Sodom, Lot got drunk in a cave.

• His daughters intoxicated him and took advantage of him to conceive children.

• Their descendants, the Moabites and Ammonites, became enemies of Israel.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol led to incest and future enmity.

• It shows how immorality and deception can arise from intoxication.

3. Nadab and Abihu’s Fire (Leviticus 10:1-9)

• What happened?

• Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were struck dead.

• Right after, God commanded the priests: “Do not drink wine or strong drink when you enter the tent of meeting” (Leviticus 10:9).

• Lesson:

• This suggests that drunkenness may have caused their reckless behavior.

• Alcohol impairs judgment, even in spiritual matters.

4. Samson’s Nazirite Vow (Judges 13:3-5)

• What happened?

• Samson’s mother was commanded not to drink wine while pregnant with him.

• As a Nazirite, Samson was to abstain from alcohol (Numbers 6:1-4).

• Lesson:

• Alcohol was seen as a hindrance to holiness and divine purpose.

• Samson later struggled with self-control, though alcohol is not directly blamed.

5. Nabal’s Foolishness (1 Samuel 25:36-38)

• What happened?

• Nabal feasted like a king and got very drunk.

• His wife Abigail saved him from David’s wrath by secretly making peace.

• When Nabal sobered up, he had a stroke and died.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol made Nabal foolish and unaware of danger.

• Drunkenness can cloud judgment and lead to destruction.

6. King Belshazzar’s Drunken Feast (Daniel 5:1-31)

• What happened?

• King Belshazzar drank from the sacred vessels of the Jerusalem temple.

• He and his guests praised false gods while partying.

• That night, the Persian army invaded, and Babylon fell.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol led to blasphemy, arrogance, and destruction.

• It weakened the king’s discernment in a time of crisis.

7. Warnings in Proverbs

Proverbs gives some of the strongest warnings about alcohol:

• Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.”

• Proverbs 23:29-35 – A vivid description of drunkenness:

• Leads to woe, sorrow, and strife.

• Causes hallucinations and confusion.

• “At the last, it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.”

Lesson:

• Alcohol deceives people into foolishness.

• It creates instability and regret.

8. Herod and John the Baptist’s Death (Mark 6:21-28)

• What happened?

• King Herod held a drunken banquet.

• His stepdaughter danced for him, pleasing the guests.

• In a moment of rash drunkenness, he promised her anything she wanted.

• Her mother told her to ask for John the Baptist’s head, and Herod followed through.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol led to reckless promises and murder.

• Drunkenness makes people easily manipulated.

9. The Corinthians’ Drunkenness at the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-22)

• What happened?

• Some Corinthians were getting drunk during Communion.

• Paul rebuked them for disrespecting the body of Christ.

• Lesson:

• Alcohol was misused even in spiritual settings.

• Paul warned against drunkenness leading to judgment.

10. Paul’s Teaching on Drunkenness

Paul repeatedly warns believers about the dangers of alcohol:

• Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:10 – Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Galatians 5:21 – Lists drunkenness as a work of the flesh.

Lesson:

• Alcohol is not sinful in itself, but drunkenness leads to destruction.

• Believers should be filled with the Holy Spirit, not intoxication.

Conclusion: A Recurring Theme

The Bible does not outright forbid alcohol, but it strongly warns about its dangers:

1. It clouds judgment (Noah, Nabal, Herod).

2. It leads to sin (Lot, Belshazzar).

3. It brings shame and destruction (Proverbs, Corinthians).

4. It prevents spiritual clarity (Nadab & Abihu, Paul’s teaching).

The message is clear: drunkenness leads to loss of control, sin, and often tragic consequences.

Think twice before you drink . Maybe you could have a tasty nonalcoholic beverage instead and prevent something bad.