By Michael Gardner
When most people go to the Bible to justify their consumption of alcoholic beverages they quote I Timothy 5:23. "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." Paul okayed the use of wine for medicinal purposes. At the same time, the Bible is clear in expressing a concern for alcohol. Earlier in 1 Timothy (vs. 3:3) it lists the qualifications of a church leader. "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous." Not given to wine, or as some version put it, not a drunkard. To include this in the qualification of a leader shows the concern over the debilitating effect of the drink.
Proverbs 20:1 says "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Don't be deceived, whatever the purpose there is a danger here.
Paul summarizes it all in 1Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Paul has just been explaining that if we eat meat offered to idols making no issue of it and with a clear conscience we are fine. However, if it is presented to us as meat offered to idols we should not eat for conscience sake. So although we have liberty in Christ we do not have a right to claim liberty at the expense of others that are weaker than us. (1 Corinthians 8) Being drunk is clearly condemned. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 it clearly says that the drunken will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
The scriptural answer is that although the consumption of alcohol is not strictly forbidden, the consumption to the point of drunkenness is condemned. Further, we are responsible for those weaker brothers that might be offended. The scriptural advise is found in Titus 2:11-14.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.