75 Biblical Truths About Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most controversial topics among Christians. The Bible has much to say about wine, strong drink, drunkenness, and the consequences of indulging in alcohol. Below are 75 powerful biblical truths about alcohol, organized with commentary and Scripture references for clarity.

75 Biblical Truths About Alcohol

1. Lessons from the Old Testament

1. Genesis 9:20-26 – Noah became drunk; the result was immorality and family trouble.
2. Genesis 19:30-38 – Lot was so drunk he did not know what he was doing; this led to immorality with his daughters.
3. Leviticus 10:9-11 – God commanded priests not to drink so that they could distinguish between the holy and the unholy.
4. Numbers 6:3 – Nazarites were told to eat or drink nothing from the grapevine.
5. Deuteronomy 21:20 – A drunken son was called stubborn and rebellious.
6. Deuteronomy 29:5-6 – In the wilderness, God gave no grape juice or intoxicating drink to Israel.
7. Deuteronomy 32:33 – Intoxicating wine is compared to the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.
8. Judges 13:4, 7, 14 – Samson was to be a Nazarite for life; his mother was instructed not to drink wine or strong drink.
9. 1 Samuel 1:14-15 – Hannah was falsely accused of being drunk but clarified she drank no wine.
10. 1 Samuel 25:32-38 – Nabal died after a drunken spree.
11. 2 Samuel 11:13 – David got Uriah drunk in an attempt to cover his sin.
12. 2 Samuel 13:28-29 – Amnon was drunk when he was killed.
13. 1 Kings 16:8-10 – King Elah was drinking himself drunk when he was assassinated.
14. 1 Kings 20:12-21 – Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by Israel.
15. Esther 1:5-12 – King Xerxes, intoxicated, commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him—leading to disgrace.

2. Warnings from the Psalms and Proverbs

16. Psalm 75:8 – The Lord’s anger is compared to a cup of mixed wine poured out on the wicked.
17. Proverbs 4:17 – Alcoholic drink is called the “wine of violence.”
18. Proverbs 20:1 – Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
19. Proverbs 23:19-20 – A wise person avoids the company of drinkers.
20. Proverbs 23:21 – Drunkenness leads to poverty.
21. Proverbs 23:29-30 – Drinking causes sorrow, strife, wounds, and red eyes.
22. Proverbs 23:31 – God instructs not to even look at intoxicating drinks.
23. Proverbs 23:32 – Alcohol bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
24. Proverbs 23:33 – Drinking leads to immoral thoughts and adulterous desires.
25. Proverbs 23:34 – Alcohol makes the drinker unstable.
26. Proverbs 23:35 – Alcohol numbs pain temporarily but traps its victims in addiction.
27. Proverbs 31:4-5 – Kings and rulers must not drink alcohol because it perverts judgment.
28. Proverbs 31:6-7 – Strong drink was once used as a form of anesthesia for the dying; better medicines exist today.

3. Wisdom from Ecclesiastes and the Prophets

29. Ecclesiastes 2:3 – King Solomon tested pleasure, including wine; it did not satisfy.
30. Ecclesiastes 10:17 – A land is blessed when its leaders are sober.
31. Isaiah 5:11-12 – Woe to those who rise early to drink and stay up late in drunkenness.
32. Isaiah 5:22 – Woe to “champion” drinkers who boast of mixing drinks.
33. Isaiah 19:14 – Drunkards stagger in their own vomit.
34. Isaiah 22:12-13 – The Israelites sought alcohol instead of repentance.
35. Isaiah 24:9 – Drinkers will not escape God’s judgment.
36. Isaiah 28:1 – Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim.
37. Isaiah 28:3 – Proud drunkards will be trampled.
38. Isaiah 28:7 – Priests and prophets erred in vision and judgment because of alcohol.
39. Isaiah 28:8 – Drinkers’ tables are covered with filth and vomit.
40. Isaiah 56:9-12 – Drinkers live selfishly, thinking tomorrow will be the same.
41. Jeremiah 35:2-14 – The Rechabites refused wine and were blessed by God.
42. Ezekiel 44:21 – Priests were again forbidden from drinking wine.
43. Daniel 1:5-17 – Daniel refused the king’s wine and was blessed with wisdom and health.
44. Daniel 5:1-4 – Belshazzar defiled sacred vessels by using them for drinking wine.
45. Daniel 5:23 – God judged Belshazzar for his pride and drunkenness.
46. Hosea 4:11 – Intoxicating wine takes away understanding.
47. Hosea 7:5 – Princes indulged in drinking to their shame.
48. Joel 1:5 – Drunkards were called to awake to judgment.
49. Joel 3:3 – Enemies traded children for wine.
50. Amos 2:8 – Israel was condemned for drinking wine taken as fines.
51. Amos 2:12 – Israel sinned by forcing Nazarites to drink wine.
52. Micah 2:11 – People followed false prophets who encouraged drinking.
53. Nahum 1:10 – Nineveh’s drunkards faced destruction.
54. Habakkuk 2:5 – Wine betrays the proud.
55. Habakkuk 2:15 – Woe to those who give their neighbors drink.
56. Habakkuk 2:16 – Drinking leads to shame and disgrace.

4. Teachings of Jesus and the New Testament

57. Matthew 24:48-51 – A drunken servant is unprepared for his master’s return.
58. Luke 1:15 – John the Baptist was set apart, drinking neither wine nor strong drink.
59. Luke 12:45 – Jesus warned against drunkenness.
60. Luke 21:34 – Drunkenness will make one unprepared for Christ’s coming.
61. Romans 13:13 – Believers must walk honestly, not in drunkenness or immorality.
62. Romans 14:21 – Avoid anything, including alcohol, that causes others to stumble.
63. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Christians must not associate with drunkards.
64. 1 Corinthians 6:10 – Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.
65. Galatians 5:21 – Drunkenness is a work of the flesh; those who practice it will not inherit God’s kingdom.
66. Ephesians 5:18 – Instead of being filled with wine, believers must be filled with the Spirit.
67. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 – Christians are to be sober and watchful; drunkenness belongs to darkness.
68. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 – Church leaders must be sober and not given to wine.
69. 1 Timothy 3:8 – Deacons must not indulge in much wine.
70. 1 Timothy 3:11 – Wives of deacons must also be temperate and sober.
71. Titus 1:7-8 – Overseers must be disciplined and not addicted to wine.
72. Titus 2:2-3 – Older men and women must be sober-minded and not enslaved to wine.
73. 1 Peter 4:3-4 – Drunkenness and revelries belong to the past life of sin.

5. Final Truth

74. 1 Corinthians 6:10 – No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.
75. God’s Love – Despite warnings, God loves us deeply and calls us to holiness. Through Christ, believers can overcome addiction and live free from the bondage of alcohol.

Conclusion

The Bible does not speak lightly about alcohol—it warns against drunkenness, calls leaders to sobriety, and highlights the devastating effects of strong drink. While some passages mention wine in cultural or medicinal contexts, the overwhelming testimony of Scripture is clear: drunkenness destroys lives and separates people from God’s best.

God loves you. Jesus Christ is Lord, and He can set you free from every bondage. Choose sobriety, choose life, and choose Christ.