Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. What does the Bible say about drinking? He believes it is more important than ever before to help people find a genuine faith. The principle is clear: charity demands that we take into account how our actions affect others. All rights reserved. Because young people under 21 tend to to have a higher propensity than older people to drink, get drunk, and drive recklessly. Is getting drunk a mortal sin? Here are a few of them: Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:18. Husband. The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. Licit things, doing licit things like drinking wine is fine in moderation, but not too much, not to become drunk. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth . An inconvenient law (i.e., the drinking age) is not an unjust law. Lets jump in, what does the Bible say about drinking? All Rights Reserved. We may lose influence because of the choices we make. In fact, Paul tells Timothy, Drink a little wine for your stomachs sake. I think Timothy was nervous and shy, and hed get, like, his stomach would get sick, and so Paul said Have a few glasses of wine and relax.. There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? And does it matter in which methods you use, or is it just a sin? Further, there are the requirements of civil law. Jesus had the following to say regarding people who criticized him for drinking alcohol: For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Look at him! Even Scripture praises God for having made wine to gladden their hearts (Psalm 104:15) that is, the hearts of men. We hope we were able to answer your question, is it a sin to get drunk? For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldn't be a sin. The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of God's greatest giftsour intellect and will. Under that logic, we should all get rid of our money to fend off materialism. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. This leads you to do things that you wont otherwise do when youre sober such as brawling and excessive cursing. But drinking was such a part of peoples everyday life back then. Instead of condemning them, Jesus understood, which earned Him the ire of the self-righteous Pharisees. 1o4:1415). If you were to glance through these verses that talk about drinking you would find that the Bible never gives a straight answer. (1 Tim. However, the Bible never condemns the consumption of alcohol just the abuse of it. That is, Jesus was not with sinners. It continually warns against addiction and drunkenness. For example, waiting a few more years to drink in America (21 years old) compared to Spain (16 years old) is not unjust. Fasting means taking a break from it for a time to grow closer to God. In fact, the Bible says. Saint Paul answers this question clearly: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18). In reality, the exact opposite is true. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. 13:1). We should strive for unity rather then create division. At a family meal, a 17 year old can have some champagne to toast her grandmothers birthday because her father is there, but if her 20-year-old cousin who happens to be visiting without her parents is there she shouldnt because it would be a sin? Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. In fact, about once a month we get an email from somebody saying that they either disapprove of us drinking on the show or how alcohol is of the devil or something like that. This can be in situations wherein your primary intention for drinking isnt for relaxation, or socialization but for intoxication. Theres no standard marker that signifies when youve crossed over into the sin of drunkenness. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. We should not be made to feel that drinking is a sin ( 1 Corinthians 10:30 ), although, at times, it may be inappropriate ( 1 . Is drinking a sin? I want to deal with two common misconceptions I see spread all the time about alcohol in the Bible. Scripture warns kings not to crave alcohol because a ruler needs a clear mind to uphold justice and protect the oppressed (Prov. Being drunk is certainly a sin. If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). If alcohol is not controlled in your country, then feel free to drink. To use the argument that the State says it is illegal and thus a sin may be easier and more effective, but it does in fact stunt a students moral growth. 11 Catholic Birthday Prayers for You and Others, 100+ Short Bible Verses You Can Easily Remember, 40+ Empowering Bible Verses About Being a Woman of God, 60+ Psalms of Encouragement to Lift Up Your Mood, 25 Powerful Bible Verses About Mothers and Daughters, 50+ Most Popular Bible Verses About Resurrection, 70+ Powerful Bible Verses About Blessings. What if the Sate forbid having more than two children (China), would it be a sin to get pregnant with the third? Would Jesus drink a beer with me? If we ever choose to do this, it can be gravely immoral and a mortal sin. Read on to learn more. Obviously, the Son of Man isnt a drunkard. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. You need to go to confession. Some people point out that wine drinking combated the problem of poor water quality in biblical times as the ingredients in wine killed harmful microorganisms present in raw water. 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? If they are dulled, then the overall spiritual ethos of campus goes way down. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. Theres simply nothing in the Bible that says all drinking is a sin. Not only has it not been condemned, but beer and wine have played a role in church tradition. Paul explains that it may be all right for those who know that the idols are not real. It can . First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:21 ). From a moral perspective, alcohol is often treated with polarity. I hope that helps a little bit. As far as I know, the only day of the year that you're not supposed to drink alcohol is Good Friday, but even . That's adding to the Bible, it doesn't say that. St. Paul explains: Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Would I be upset with a fine? I have to say, Ive been drunk once in my life and I didnt realize it. If we indulge in these worldly pleasures, we wont be able to share in his suffering. You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol. Not only are different types of alcohol different, everyone processes alcohol differently. The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. But it is not Catholic. For an upperclassmen to lead an underage underclassmen into sineither by encouragement or examplefits Jesus words exactly. One common argument is that wine in the Bible is really nothing more than grape juice. Yet, even if you dont drink and drive, excessive alcohol consumption greatly impairs your ability to reason. As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. Everything You Need to Know About Holy Week. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! (Only if a law is clearly unjustsuch as with Martin Luther King, Jr.s disobedience of segregation lawsshould a law be disobeyed). The Bible talks about the medicinal qualities of alcohol. Steve Ray: I was in bed in that hotel for 24 hours, and I said to my wife, Im never gonna get drunk again ever, that was horrible. So thats the only time Ive ever been drunk, and I didnt do it on purpose. I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? And lets not forget the focus of Jesus first miracle at Cana (see John 2:1-11). Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. I have no argument with the purpose of the law, and perhaps it is even a good law, but that does not necessarily make it a sin to break it. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. That same person might do well to skip the second or third beer if he has to drive a car afterward. Theres also no verse that classifies exactly how many drinks you can have and exactly what drunk is. It might actually help your witness to have a beer with your neighbor and break down some of the misconceptions about Christianity. Instead, let it bring you together with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The reality is there isnt a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. Copyright 2023 RC Spirituality | All Rights Reserved. Dont let it leave you empty inside. While wine may not have contained as much alcohol in ancient times as it does today, fermented beverages in biblical times clearly had the capacity to make people drunk. aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. It might seem that up to this point that as long as you dont get drunk or become addicted its okay for Christians to drink. A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. (Matt. The early Christians in America ranged in their views on drinking alcohol. St. Paul tell us, So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesnt mean it has to be avoided. 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. And thats why the Bible warns against getting drunk on wine. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit. Part of developing into a mature Christian is recognizing that we are given both freedom and responsibility. In drunkenness, we willingly defile our rational nature. Lets look at a traffic example. And many of us drink without knowing our limits. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). Your example of moderate (or no) drinking can be a very powerful example to those around you. Church Planter. It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. It is not a sin just because it is on the list of sins. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.. Its a grey area of the Bible. Each person is in a unique situation and will have to determine this themselves. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. But I wanted to address it from the other side. For neglect of bodily health due to drinking there has to be a grave physical danger to which the drinker is knowingly exposing himself. Alcoholic drinks, specifically wine, is mentioned many times in the Old and New Testaments. Is drinking a sin? And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Drunkenness is also mentioned in Galatians 5:19. There are lots of bible verses about drinking and drunkenness. I disagree that you can be justifiably upset for getting pulled over at 3 over the speed limit. If you are harming your health - It's our responsibility to take care of our health, which is a gift from God ( CCC 2288 ). Alcohol consumption is a tough topic, because it is associated with both joyful and tragic situations. Choosing to be drunk all the time, knowing that it is a grave physical danger to your health, is the same as choosing to intentionally neglect your own health which may be seen as a sin. Leave a comment below! But, alcohol also has a second effect on us. What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol? All rights reserved. But I would suggest the analogy does not hold for the following reason: the customary enforcement of the law is relevant with speeding. But the case is different with underage drinking: in the vast majority of places across the country, one certainly would not drink underage while standing next to a police officer. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.. If you are in a country where you have to be above a certain age in order to legally consume alcohol, then it is sinful to break the law. In fact, we even have a sacramental wine or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldnt be a sin. But the reality is the Bible teaches that alcohol can be a good and enjoyable thing. Gluttony can also be a sin. Thats not a matter of moderation. Second, each person has a particular tolerance to alcohol, and each person has to learn his limits. RC Spirituality is a service of Regnum Christi that creates life changing Catholic formation materials in many media formats. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. We should also consider how it effects those around us. There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. If this is the case, then it's safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. What Miracles Did Pope John Paul II Perform? Of course. At any rate, speeding also does not have the aspect of scandal attached to it, as does underage drinking (see below). Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. For one thing, it gives the student an overly legalistic approach to the moral law, it reinforces his latent Calvinism, it gives far too much moral authority to the State, it is simply not true. The people around you are more important your personal freedoms. But what St. Paul says, in Ephesians 5:18, is: Do not get drunk with wine, for that is a waste, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. So Jesus turned water into wine, and the Aramaic word for wedding feast that Jesus was at, the Aramaic word means a drinking party, so Jesus went to a drinking party and he drank wine with, you knowso drinking of wine or alcohol is never considered a sin. Well deal with those in the next point. You know, everything in Christianity seems to be regarded as a matter of moderation, doing things in moderation. And in Ecclesiastes 9:7, the prophet is clear that we should enjoy alcohol as a gift from God: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago. In talking with Catholic college students, Ive come to find that underage drinking is a hot topic. Listen to Jesus words when it comes to leading others into sin, whether intentional or not: Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! Just log in or create your free account. The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. He is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. However, similar to the Bible, it cautions against excessiveness. We should keep a close eye to make sure nothing takes the place of God in our life. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. An incentive from Satan. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you. Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. Very early in the morning, stopped at a desolate intersection, after stopping, I have run through a red light, thus breaking the law. Paul also exhorts Christians to abstain from drinking alcohol in situations where doing so could cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom. In some cases there are benefits to drinking. The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns drunken excess and illegal drugs in #2290-2291: The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess:. If youre an alcoholic, and having a drink brings you near to the place where you are gonna lose control, that could be viewed as a sin. Some people can take several bottles of beer and they are fine. Help us continue providing authentic Catholic spirituality! Pastor. In extreme cases, it can even lead to sexual harassment and murder. Where a culture of underage drinking prevails as the norm (and especially among otherwise serious Catholics), at a point having one or two social drinks turns into three or four (or five and six and beyond); and all of a sudden, those who were steadfast against drunkennessbut who insisted that underage drinking is OKfind themselves occasionally on the brink of drunkenness (and sometimes well past that point). Not because the police officer would suddenly make me feel guilty of committing sin, but because I would not want to pay the fine. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. Whos around you that you can impact? Lighting up is not a sin. ( Psalm 104:14, 15; Ecclesiastes 3: 13; 9:7) The Bible also acknowledges the medicinal value of wine. It may be imprudent or a scandal to others, but in itself, just because the State says it is illegal, does not make it a sin. To become drunk and to lose control of yourself would be considered a sin. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. But in moderation, it is encouraged. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. they were sinning (or even came close to it). Here is another traffic example. Share your review! In this latter case the intoxication would be a venial sin. But this issue isnt just a personal decision, its one that needs to be made in community. That it is always a sin to break a law of the State is believed by the majority of Catholics because, as the late Cardinal George once said, American Catholics are Puritans who go to Mass on Sunday. In the moral realm Americans tend to adopt toward State law a puritanical thinking sometimes mixed with small amounts Jansenism. Is drinking a sin? What does the Bible say about drinking? Then they go on to define drunkenness as setting in only when one blacks out. When you are in a state of drunkenness, your ability to make more conscious and informed decisions tend to get blurred and resort to more slow or poor judgment. Drinking should be a time of joyful celebration and fellowship! However, as my favorite Dominican priest quoting St. Thomas pointed out to me once in talking about this issue, Not all crimes are sins and not all sins are crimes. While the author here makes very good points about underage drinking having the ability to lead to laxity, scandal, and other undesirable things, we must be clear that it is not a sin for a 19 year old to have a drink. Excessive use of alcohol can lead to many short and long-term health problems as well. 5:21). Alcohol is not evil in itself. Answer: Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. That includes sharing in His sufferings. For centuries, monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries. Caller: Recognizing that Jesus turned water into wine, the question is: is it a sin to drink? But is it a sin? If youre interested to know more about the depths of sin and how it is part of our daily lives, and how we can overcome it, we suggest for you to check out our posts on Is it a Sin to Overeat? This rudimentary beer contained an average ABV of 6% 12%, not too shabby for a beer. And in light of them what is the wisest and most loving thing for you to do? Moreover, you might want to be careful not to build your social life around drinking. Why would a State that allows 19 year old people go to war, have abortions, smoke marijuana, have a sex change operation, marry and divorce, not allow 19 year old people to have a drink at a bar? St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). Often, their lives begin to revolve around a party culture: Which party should we go to? Or, even on an ordinary day in the middle of the week: What are we drinking tonight?. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. Some religious groups view alcohol as a gift from God, one that allows the spirit to enter the body. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. Drinking is a sin when done in excess. Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Go to Nightclubs?, Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Read the Bible on My Own?, Ask a Priest: What If My Friends Family Doesnt Accept My Annulment?, Spiritual Smoothie: The Christian Difference, Ask a Priest: How Do I Respond to Attacks on the Church?. Father. A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life and with respect to his impact upon others. Note, however, that you dont always have to get drunk for it to become a sin. Some drink to escape their situation, while others drink to celebrate. 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. To the extent that the answer is noto the extent that I insist on underage drinking just because I want toto that extent perhaps my own conversion has not yet fully taken hold. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. No, I think that youre correct. That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. That same person might do well to skip the second or third beer if he has to drive a car afterward. In many states, its legal for someone to drink underage in the presence of their parentsso thats not an issue. There is also the issue of "not causing anyone to stumble" ( 1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:32 ). When youre drunk, you wont have full control of your faculties. 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. Alcohol is a funny guy. When one looks at the priest scandal, a curious thing arises. If we make it seem like this is ok, its very easy for people to start being lax in other laws, natural or civil, that work for them or that people dont enforce. For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? After that point there could be diminishing returns in a moral sense meaning that you are putting yourself in danger of serious sin beyond that moment. Its almost as if the house party culturewhich might not be as bad as the average fraternity party at a state universitybegins to dominate the lives of otherwise serious Catholic college students. The Bible holds drinking in tension. Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. Their presence has been around for years and years and has been really ingrained in society. Or it was so diluted with water it doesnt really count as alcohol. So, what I want to do is take a look at what the Bible says about alcohol and then look if Christians should drink. But abusing alcoholic beverages can lead one to sin. The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Try finding a Super Bowl party where alcohol isnt part of the festivities. But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. The same teaching shows up in 1 Corinthians 8, where the issue is whether or not Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols. And as modern medicine advances theres much better options to deal with issues. Copyright 2023 Core Christianity. It helps strengthen our control over our bodily desires and avoid unhealthy attachment to the material world. In the middle of the 19th Century, alcoholism was wide spread in America and thus there were many successful attempts to limit its use by pointing out its moral deficiency. Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. Yet despite all the content, I have seen very little clarity on this question, is drinking a sin? So I think if someone has a propensity to alcoholism and to not being able to control it, I think it would be considered a sin to go and tempt yourself there; but I think each one of those is kind of between you and God. No. It can cause us to lose control of our free will and reason when we drink to excess. So what about praying while feeling the effects? Catholics & Bible do not intend to provide any health related advice. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. I hope this post gave you some comfort if you are planning to have a drink sometime soon. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Over time and as such a culture becomes predominantagain, amidst otherwise serious Catholicsthe general temperature of their zeal for holiness begins to go down; they often still go through the Catholic motions, but the vigor and vitality that comes from knowing Jesus personallyto the point where one gives him their entire lifesubsides. Some verses warn about the dangers of alcohol while others talk about it as a blessing. However, in trying to convince Catholic minors not to drink in a party atmosphere arguments like this need to be used. But its important to address this with our Catholic leaders because every year other new budding Catholic leaders (i.e., freshmen) watch their exampleand then imitate it in the ensuing years. They then proceed to draw a moral equivalence between this and underage drinking. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. However we know from the Bible that the wine still had plenty of kick in it to get wasted on. Many times the Bible says that drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians 5:6, Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3 to name a few). Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you dont slip into drunkenness. We should be okay with a little grey. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. For this reason, in order for the analogy to hold, one would have to compare underage drinking to something like going twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. If you become dependent on alcohol, seek help. A hard lesson for us to learn is that while we may have the freedom to do something, it still has a consequence. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. The good God, our local Bishop, the State, my boss, all have different competencies and all require from me a different moral stance to their requests. Heres Ephesians 5:18. So when Christians say that its a sin to drink they are adding rules to the Bible. The same is true if one travels overseas, where the drinking age in Europe is generally eighteen.
Rage Room Worcester Uk,
Kountry Wayne Cast,
Larry Clarke Obituary,
List Of Accredited Hotels For Quarantine In Iloilo City,
Storage Shed Size Calculator,
Articles I