We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Just because alcohol can be abused doesnt mean it needs to be avoided. In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. Living a life dedicated to God makes as much sense as the sunshine in our world. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. The Bible keeps this issue in the grey, up for each Christian to decide whats the wisest and most loving thing for them to do. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. More on that later. Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. I have to say, Ive been drunk once in my life and I didnt realize it. The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of God's greatest giftsour intellect and will. He holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and a masters degree in Old Testament & Semitic Languages from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. On one hand it talks about how it can a blessing. It specifically says that wine is a gift from God that makes our human hearts happy. Alcoholic drinks, specifically wine, is mentioned many times in the Old and New Testaments. You will never leave an impact on anyone if you just hold onto your freedoms and do what you want. Can having just one drink be a sin for some people but not for others? So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? 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. A positive criterion might be this: When you feel relaxed, that is a good time to stop drinking. No. If we ever choose to do this, it can be gravely immoral and a mortal sin. All rights reserved. Each person is in a unique situation and will have to determine this themselves. Church Planter. It means that we should act cautiously. He is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. For instance Ecclesiastes 9:7. Believers who feel it is safer not to drink any alcohol have the freedom to abstain. 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. In the New Testament, the first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine. Some drink to escape their situation, while others drink to celebrate. Dont let it leave you empty inside. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. 5:1521). For starters, if you choose to be drunk in your own free will, then that is considered a sin. But when taken in moderation, it can lead to a great time and awesome memories with friends. Share your review! 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. 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. Does giving a meaningless gift give you more or less joy than giving a meaningful gift? Sometimes being in this state, may lead you to do actions that are sinful, such as violence, fornication, or saying nonsense hurtful words to others. In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. What Is the Catholic Church's View on Alcohol? - We Dare To Say The Bible also talks about a strong drink made with fermented barley, aka beer. Caller: Recognizing that Jesus turned water into wine, the question is: is it a sin to drink? However, similar to the Bible, it cautions against excessiveness. What the bible is vehemently opposed to is drunkenness or intoxication. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. When Is Drinking a Mortal Sin? | Catholic Answers But in the first century there were certain benefits to light drinking. Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. In order to pass through this threshold, one has to move beyond simply asking: At what point have I done something wrong? in a minimalistic way, to asking: Are these actionsthese movies, these parties, etc.taking me toward or away from my ultimate end? And further, one asks this same question with respect to those who may be influenced by my actionseither by knowing me directly or by reputation: am I helping or hindering their pursuit of their ultimate end? Get notified of future Ask a Priest answers via email. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. But I wanted to address it from the other side. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. In other words the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring. The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. 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. The Bible holds drinking in tension. In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. There is also the issue of "not causing anyone to stumble" ( 1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:32 ). Sola Media Group is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal ID # 27-0565982. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (. Lets jump in, what does the Bible say about drinking? Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion.
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