The Church Says Don’t Get Drunk. But Does the Bible Really Say It’s a Sin?
One of the most commonly repeated lines in Christian circles is:
“It’s a sin to get drunk.”
But is that exactly what Scripture says—or is that another spiritual half-truth blown out of proportion?
Let’s separate religious fear from biblical fact and take a closer look.
Alcohol Isn’t Forbidden in the Bible
First things first: Alcohol itself is not sinful.
Jesus Himself turned water into wine (John 2:1–11), and Paul told Timothy to drink “a little wine for the sake of your stomach” (1 Timothy 5:23). Wine was part of celebrations, feasts, and even offerings to God.
In the Old Testament, wine was also included in fellowship offerings and blessings:
“He will love you and bless you... He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil...”
— Deuteronomy 7:13
(Note: As Christians, we are no longer under Old Testament law. We live under the New Covenant of grace through Jesus.)
The Bible doesn’t say, “Thou shalt not drink.”
It says something much deeper: Be careful what controls you.
What Does “Drunkenness” Actually Mean in the Bible?
When the Bible warns against drunkenness, it’s not talking about someone who gets tipsy once or twice or enjoys wine at a party. It’s talking about habitual overindulgence—people who give themselves over to alcohol in a way that:
Controls their behavior
Leads to recklessness
Neglects responsibilities
Destroys relationships
Disconnects them from God and wise living
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
— Ephesians 5:18
This verse is not condemning the act of being buzzed or even temporarily drunk—it’s contrasting two kinds of influence:
Being under the influence of alcohol, or
Being under the influence of the Spirit
It’s a spiritual caution, not a moral execution.
Being a Drunkard = A Pattern, Not a One-Time Thing
The Bible uses the word “drunkard” to describe someone who:
Repeatedly gets drunk to the point of being out of control
Chooses alcohol over responsibility, family, or faith
Lives a lifestyle where drinking is a priority and idol
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
— Proverbs 20:1
(Again, we are not under Old Testament law. Proverbs offers wisdom, but our salvation is in Christ.)
This is why 1 Corinthians 6:10 says “drunkards” will not inherit the kingdom of God—it’s not about a moment, but a lifestyle of unrepentant self-destruction. The same list also mentions:
Greedy people
Liars
Slanderers
These aren’t about slip-ups. They're about what someone makes their god.
So Is It a Sin to Get Drunk at a Party?
If you go out with friends, have some drinks, maybe even get a little too loose—but you're not harming yourself or others, and you're not living in addiction or rebellion—that’s not what the Bible is calling a sin.
You’re human. You’re allowed to celebrate.
But if you're:
Using alcohol to numb your pain
Avoiding reality
Hurting people
Making alcohol your master instead of God
That’s when it crosses the line. Not because you're "bad"—but because it puts you in danger of drifting from what gives life.
Grace Over Legalism
Let’s be clear: Legalism loves to shame.
But Jesus didn’t die to keep us afraid of parties. He came to set us free—from shame, addiction, and the false idea that perfection earns salvation.
The real question isn’t, “Am I sinning if I drink too much?”
It’s, “Is this helping or hurting the life God has for me?”
Final Thought
If you’ve had a few too many, or even if you’ve struggled with alcohol in your past—you’re not condemned.
You’re not disqualified.
You’re not rejected.
The goal isn’t to never sip—the goal is to never let anything replace God.
