The Bible presents wine as something that can be a good gift from God when used wisely, but a serious danger when it leads to drunkenness, addiction, or harm to others. It does not universally forbid drinking wine, yet it consistently condemns getting drunk and warns believers to be careful, loving, and self-controlled.

Positive uses of wine

Several passages show wine as part of normal, even joyful, life in the biblical world.

  • Wine appears as part of celebration and blessing, such as feasts and harvest rejoicing.
  • Ecclesiastes encourages enjoying food and wine with a joyful heart, seeing them as gifts under God’s approval when life is lived rightly.
  • Jesus’ first miracle at Cana involved turning water into wine at a wedding, which many Christians view as an implicit endorsement of moderate, joyful use rather than total prohibition.

Warnings against drunkenness

Alongside positive mentions, Scripture gives strong warnings about alcohol’s dangers.

  • Proverbs describes wine as potentially deceptive, causing mockery, fights, and poor decisions, and calls those “not wise” who are led astray by it.
  • Prophets condemn those who “rise early” to chase strong drink and who lose moral clarity because of intoxication.
  • New Testament teaching forbids drunkenness and contrasts being “drunk with wine” with being filled with God’s Spirit, emphasizing self-control and sober-minded living.

Special callings to abstain

Some people in the Bible are called to total abstinence for the sake of a particular mission or sacred duty.

  • Nazirites (like Samson) had vows that included avoiding wine, strong drink, and even grape products to mark a special dedication to God.
  • Priests were forbidden to drink wine when serving in the sanctuary so they could distinguish clearly between holy and unholy and teach God’s law accurately.
  • These rules are presented as special callings, not universal commands for all believers, but they shape later Christian arguments for voluntary abstinence in certain roles or contexts.

How many Christians read this today

Modern Christians often agree on the core principle but differ in application.

  • One view: Moderate drinking is permitted if it avoids drunkenness, addiction, and scandal, is legal, and is done with gratitude and self-control. This view stresses Christian freedom together with responsibility.
  • Another view: Voluntary abstinence is best, especially in cultures where alcohol abuse is common, to protect personal holiness and avoid causing others to stumble.
  • Forum and church discussions commonly sum it up as: “Alcohol itself isn’t sinful, but drunkenness is,” and urge believers not to overthink the letter while clearly avoiding intoxication.

Practical takeaways for “drinking wine”

If someone today asks what the Bible wants them to do about wine, the main themes are consistent.

  • Check motives: Is the goal relaxation and fellowship under God, or escape, numbness, or rebellion?
  • Check impact: Is this hurting your health, your family, your work, or your spiritual life, or tempting someone with a history of addiction?
  • Check mastery: If giving up wine for a season feels impossible, that may signal that it has taken too much control, and seeking help and support becomes important.

TL;DR: The Bible presents wine as a legitimate part of life and worship in some contexts but draws a firm line against drunkenness, loss of self-control, and any use that harms oneself or others, leaving each believer to apply these principles with wisdom, love, and, when needed, voluntary abstinence.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.