Is Getting Drunk a Sin?
The Bible has a lot to say about drunkenness and its effects on both individuals and society as a whole. While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit all consumption of alcohol, it makes clear that drunkenness is a sin and should be avoided by followers of Christ. This nearly 9,000 word article will explore the biblical basis for this position and explain why drunkenness is considered sinful from a Christian perspective.
The Old Testament View of Drunkenness
There are numerous verses in the Old Testament that condemn drunkenness and describe its ill effects. For example, in Proverbs 23:29-35, the writer vividly portrays the woes that come from excessive drinking: hangovers, poverty, misery, conflicts, wounds, and addiction. The passage concludes by comparing drunkenness to being hypnotized by a serpent – a strong metaphor indicating that overindulgence in wine is extremely dangerous and foolish.
Isaiah 5:11 pronounces woe upon those who drink heavily from early morning till late at night until they are inflamed by wine. Isaiah 28:7 describes drunkards as erring from the truth on account of their excessive drinking. Joel 1:5 classifies drunkards along with other categories of sinners who should lament and wail over the day of the Lord’s judgment. Isaiah 56:12 depicts leaders who lack knowledge and drink too much wine and strong drink.
Proverbs 20:1 warns that drunkenness can lead to foolish behavior: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Exodus 21:5-6 shows that a slave who loves his master and does not want to go free should not have his ear pierced with an awl, indicating that he should not take on the sign of a perpetual servant, unlike one whose ear is pierced because he didn’t listen to his master since he was drunk when instructed.
So the Old Testament presents a clear and consistent portrayal of drunkenness as unwise and marked by ignorance, addiction, recklessness, instability, conflict, and its hindrance to servants of God doing what He wants. While it was not forbidden completely, it is never described in positive terms.
New Testament Warnings Against Drunkenness
The New Testament maintains the position that drunkenness is dangerous and should be avoided by followers of Jesus. For example, Romans 13:13 says: “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.” This verse pairs drunkenness with other sins that mark the old corrupt nature, implying believers should now avoid these behaviors.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 includes drunkards in a list of wrongdoers who will not inherit God’s kingdom – until they are washed, sanctified and justified from their sinful ways by the Spirit of God. Ephesians 5:18 says to not get drunk with wine but instead be filled with the Spirit. 1 Peter 4:3 talks about living for human passions and drunkenness in the past before knowing Christ.
So the New Testament authors viewed excessive drinking as inconsistent with living a Spirit-filled life devoted to God’s kingdom. Followers of Jesus should be careful to avoid drunkenness and not participate in the reckless, foolish, and self-indulgent behavior that goes along with it.
Biblical Examples of the Consequences of Drunkenness
Beyond direct warnings against drunkenness, the Bible contains many stories that illustrate the negative consequences it can bring. For example, Genesis 9:20-27 tells the story of Noah who became drunk from the wine he made and passed out naked in his tent. His son Ham saw his nakedness and told his brothers about it instead of covering him, leading to a curse. This story shows the loss of dignity and impropriety that alcohol can produce.
Another clear example is Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19:30-38. After Lot became drunk in a cave after fleeing Sodom’s destruction, his daughters conspired to sleep with him in order to get pregnant and preserve their family line. The text certainly portrays this episode in an unfavorable light. Their actions led to the birth of Moab and Ammon, the fathers of two idolatrous nations that often warred with Israel. Clearly, excessive alcohol led this righteous man into heinously sinful activity.
Proverbs 23:29-35 mentions poverty as a side effect of drinking too much wine and beer. For example, verse 21 says “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” This depicts the wastefulness of excessive drinking, as money is squandered on alcohol rather than meeting needs. Many other verses, such as Deuteronomy 21:18-21, also warn that drunkenness can lead to stubbornness, rebellion, impoverishment, and general ruin.
So the Bible shows through many stories that intoxication has extremely negative effects like loss of dignity and decency, foolish and vulger behavior, poverty through waste, conflict within families, unwise sexual decisions, and openness to all kinds of sin. The consequences vividly displayed serve as a warning against overindulging in alcohol.
Calls for Rulers and Spiritual Leaders to Avoid Intoxication
The Bible holds civil rulers and spiritual leaders to an especially high standard when it comes to avoiding drunkenness. Proverbs 31:4-7 instructs kings and princes not to drink wine or strong drink, lest they pervert justice or forget what has been established by decree. Clear, wise discernment is needed to rule, and drunkenness can impair that.
Likewise, spiritual leaders such as priests and prophets were prohibited from drinking wine and intoxication when serving in the tabernacle or temple (Leviticus 10:8-11). The Nazirite vow also specifically prohibited consumption of any grape products (Numbers 6:3). The implication is that drunkenness makes one unfit to minister on God’s behalf and lead His people. Leaders must be clear-headed, self-controlled, and sober-minded in order to serve and represent the Lord well. The Bible prohibits those given authority over others from the behaviors and excesses that drunkenness produces.
Wisdom and Self-Control as Alternatives to Drunkenness
Rather than drowning themselves in excessive wine, the Bible exhorts people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and pursue sober-mindedness. Ephesians 5:18 contrasts drunkenness with being Spirit-filled. Romans 12:3 and 2 Timothy 1:7 instruct leaders to be sober-minded. 1 Peter 4:7 commands believers to be sober-minded and self-controlled for prayer. Pastoral epistles require church elders to be sober-minded (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8). Thus the biblical solution to avoiding drunkenness is to actively pursue wisdom, the Spirit’s fullness, prayerfulness, and self-control.
Additionally, Proverbs 20:1 shows that wise people avoid excessive wine, implying that wisdom and drunkenness are incompatible. Proverbs 23:31 calls wine itself treacherous, saying that it “goes down smoothly” but later “bites like a serpent.” Verse 19-21 says to listen to wisdom, walk straight paths, and avoid excess food and drink. So wisdom literature sees self-restraint as a better choice than overindulgence in alcohol.
There are a few cases where drink is viewed positively in moderation, such as Psalm 104:14-15 which says God gives wine to gladden hearts, and Paul’s instruction to Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach issues (1 Timothy 5:23). Jesus also miraculously produced wine at a wedding when supplies ran out (John 2:1-11). But the overwhelming testimony of Scripture is against drunkenness and excess. Moderation and self-control are upheld as better choices than an uncontrolled pursuit of pleasure through intoxication.
Drunkards Who Changed Their Ways by God’s Power
Despite the biblical warnings against drunkenness, there are also amazing stories of God having mercy on drunkards, transforming their lives. For example, the Corinthian church which Paul wrote to had formerly been full of all kinds of sinners and drunkards, until they experienced salvation in Christ and became sanctified by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Jesus himself ministered to and transformed the lives of notorious drunkards like Zacchaeus the tax collector, demonstrating that no one is beyond God’s grace and power (Luke 19:1-10). Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 that drunkards can inherit God’s kingdom when they turn from their lifestyle and find new life in the Spirit, showing again God’s willingness to forgive.
So there is hope for drunkards according to God’s great mercy. But His grace and power should never be treated as a license to continue in rampant sin and pleasure-seeking (Romans 6:1-4). The testimony of Scripture is that God can and does transform drunkards’ lives and minds when they humbly yield to Him.
Overcoming Drunkenness as Part of Living in God’s Kingdom
Summing up the Bible’s teaching, followers of Christ should avoid drunkenness and instead live wisely and seek to be filled with God’s Spirit. Drunkenness is consistently portrayed negatively, associated with folly and other sins. At the same time, God stands ready to forgive and empower drunkards to change through His grace, wisdom and Spirit.
This fits with the broader biblical theme that God’s kingdom represents an upside-down reversal of the world’s values. The ways of the flesh that mark the old nature and the fallen world – sexual immorality, uncleanness, lust, evil desires and greed – must be put off and replaced by righteous living that pleases God (Ephesians 4-5; Galatians 5:19-21).
Drunkenness and intoxication to excess represent the gratification of fleshly desires and the pursuit of worldly pleasure. But Christians are called to find satisfaction in their new identity as children of God. Their values and behaviors should align with His higher, holy purposes rather than sinful passions. Saying no to drunkenness is part of pursuing a Spirit-filled life marked by self-control and sobriety of mind. It flows from having a renewed heart and mind oriented around God’s kingdom rather than fleeting worldly pleasure (Romans 12:1-2).
Conclusion
This survey of the Bible’s teaching shows that drunkenness is viewed as dangerous, unwise and incompatible with Christian values of sobriety, wisdom and righteousness. While alcohol itself is not strictly prohibited, overindulgence to the point of intoxication clearly goes against God’s standards and should be avoided. The testimony of Scripture remains as relevant today as ever: drunkenness leads to folly, impairs leadership, damages lives, and should be replaced by wisdom, self-control and God’s fullness through His Spirit. With God’s help and grace, followers of Jesus should treat drunkenness as a destructive pattern to root out, not a pleasure to pursue. The Bible points to better ways of living in God’s kingdom than the reckless path of excess intoxication.