Is drinking a sin?

This is one of those questions whose answer is both 'yes' and 'no'. Yes it can be a sin, if it inhibits one from using their reason and right judgement. Drunkenness is condemned again and again in the Bible especially when one is drunk on the job, which causes them to make crucial mistakes that affects others. So in short, drunkenness is a sin. For that instance, anything in excess would be considered as abuse, even eating too much would be the sin of gluttony. 

However, it is not a sin to drink moderately and we have ample of Bible passages that show us this. One example is Ecclesiastes 9:7 "Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do." In fact, St Paul even encourages it in small quantities 1 Timothy 5:23 "No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 

I have often come across people who have given up drinks after they encounter God and that is completely alright, it is a personal choice and if it helps you deepen your relationship with God it is the right thing for you. The problem arises when one thinks that even drinking in moderation is sinful and condemns those who drink. To be clear, I don't drink strong drink myself and am in no way advocating drinking. Anyone who knows me would know that I despise drunkenness. My objective of this blog is only to state the biblical view regarding this topic and not my personal opinion. 

For starters, we know that Jesus himself drank, in Luke 7:34 we hear his critics terming him a 'drunkard' as he ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners. While we can understand that critics can be overly harsh sometimes, this passage would defeat the argument of those who claim he just had grape juice and not fermented wine, as no one would call you a drunkard for drinking grape juice. Moreover, Jesus being a Jew, took part in the Passover meal every year which consisted of 4 cups of wine. Some people argue that Jesus refused to drink the fruit of the wine at the Last Supper, but it is important to note that the cup he refused was the last cup and there were 3 cups already served at that meal. Traditionally, the first cup was drunk at the start of the meal after which a dish of herbs was served. The second cup followed the recital of the Little Hallel (Psalm 113) and the third was has after the main meal which consisted of lamb and unleavened bread, which was the cup that Jesus blessed. The final cup was drunk at the end of the Passover where the Great Hallel was sung. It was this that Jesus refused to drink until he drinks it new in the kingdom of God. I have explained this in greater detail in my blog:' Do we Catholics really eat the body of Christ?' Then again we see that Jesus made wine available at the wedding feast of Cana, obviously, he wouldn't do that if drinking was a sin.

However, there are circumstances in the Bible where one should abstain from drinks. Such as when it would lead someone else to sin. Romans 14:20-21 states " Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he eats; it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble. From this passage we can understand that is is not good to tempt others to drink, especially if it would be a sin for that person, for example an alcoholic, for who drinking would be an abuse to the body. In the Old Testament, God forbids Aaron and his sons from drinking whenever they went into the tent of meeting. We also see a special sort of consecration to God, namely 'the vow of a Nazirite' where one dedicated himself to the Lord and separated himself from wine and strong drink.

Whether you chose to drink or not, is completely your choice. Drinking on its own is not wrong, however over consumption would be sinful. So to all you drink in moderation, cheers!