In reality, the exact opposite is true. There are numerous Bible verses that extol alcohol and ones that give dire warnings regarding its intake. And I guess the second part: if not, is it a sin to become intoxicated? We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Jesus said, If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away (Matthew 5:30). 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? Excessive use of alcohol can lead to many short and long-term health problems as well. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. It is my opinion that our young people will face much greater moral difficulties than we can presently imagine. But, alcohol also has a second effect on us. I hope this post gave you some comfort if you are planning to have a drink sometime soon. performed while intoxicated were not freely willed in themselves, they were willed in their causenamely, deliberate drunkenessand so the drinker is responsible for them as though he had chosen them deliberately. Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. For centuries, monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries. That is not to say that in a culture where underage drinking leads to other moral problems a strong case could not be made that a minor having a drink is hurting the common good and thus a sin. Lets look at a traffic example. From a moral perspective, alcohol is often treated with polarity. What does the Bible say about drinking? This leads you to do things that you wont otherwise do when youre sober such as brawling and excessive cursing. It specifically says that wine is a gift from God that makes our human hearts happy. A positive criterion might be this: When you feel relaxed, that is a good time to stop drinking. At any rate, custom is a real thing in the application of law, as is apparent in St. Thomas Aquinas treatment of human law: for when a thing is done again and again, it seems to proceed from a deliberate judgment of reason. Thats adding to the Bible, it doesnt say that. So, what I want to do is take a look at what the Bible says about alcohol and then look if Christians should drink. If this is the case, then it's safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. The apostle Peter reminds believers, Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. He also drunk and was even accused by the Pharisees as a drunkard: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Luke 7:34. Drinking is a sin when done in excess. (Prov. The Litany of Humility: What Is It and Where Did It. Some people claim drinking is a sin because it hurts your testimony. If ever in doubt about whether you crossed the line, then just go to confession and put it behind you and resolve not to cross the line again. Drinking in moderation is not a sin. In fact, we even have a sacramental wine or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. The spread of the Gospel is more important. As Catholics, we are required to respect the civil governing authority assuming that they are working for the common good and that the law is not unjust. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. We try to help our readers better understand their lives; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for any professional medical guidance. You must have a strong resolve and an equally strong sense of self-discipline. With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. But I would suggest the analogy does not hold for the following reason: the customary enforcement of the law is relevant with speeding. This is why so many Scripture passages warn against excessive consumption of wine and strong drink (a beverage containing a significant amount of alcohol; some Bible verses that mention "strong drink" include Lev. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. When youre drunk, you wont have full control of your faculties. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. Well deal with those in the next point. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! I think we can see by now that the answer is no, drinking is not a sin. monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data. What ever other benefits a higher drinking age might bring, that is the purpose of the law. Alcohol is not evil in itself. What the bible is vehemently opposed to is drunkenness or intoxication. Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. I have to say, Ive been drunk once in my life and I didnt realize it. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. We know this from what the Bible says and from historians who have studied alcohol during this time period. ( Psalm 104:14, 15; Ecclesiastes 3: 13; 9:7) The Bible also acknowledges the medicinal value of wine. as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! Does that mean that even an occasional cigar is a sin? 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! But on the other hand it warns of the damaging effects it can have if its abused. But is it a sin? If we consume so much that we cannot properly make decisions, we go too far. The law is very clear in stating the speed that is legal in that area. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: is drinking a sin? If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Is drinking a sin? 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. Finally, a little tea, coffee, chocolate or such like beverage together with a morsel of bread or a cracker is now allowed in the morning. The only thing thats clear is the abuse of alcohol through drunkenness or addiction is a sin. So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? 1o4:1415). In some states like Texas its perfectly legal to drink with parental supervision. Even in light of the many biblical warnings regarding the abuse of alcohol, Christians have the liberty to enjoy this gift from God within the boundaries of Gods moral law. People drink for various reasons. Drinking alcoholic beverages needs to be approached with maturity, wisdom, restraint, and most of all, love for God and our neighbor (Mark 12:3031). This just enforces that church teaching that consuming alcohol is perfectly fine. Lets hear from you! 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. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. We should also consider how it effects those around us. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from ( Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12 ). (Gal. The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of God's greatest giftsour intellect and will. For instance Ecclesiastes 9:7. Is drinking a sin? No. 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?. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. (Eph. However, the vast majority of non-christians are not put off by drinking in western culture. Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. | The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College, The Catechism: A Guide for the Christian Life, Giving the Gift of the Plenary Indulgence. But all these points to the same thing: drinking is not sinful as long its in moderation. Excessive eating is also . What Freedom From Sin Looks Like in This Life. There are some that say drinking is a sin because theres no health benefits. 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. Thats not a matter of moderation. Something else to consider is the health effect of smoking. He believes it is more important than ever before to help people find a genuine faith. Would Jesus drink a beer with me? Commercials, advertisements, social media, movies, and television heavily promote beer, wine, and liquor as means to having a fun and active social life. Read on to learn more. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer. 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. Get notified of future Ask a Priest answers via email. It means that we should act cautiously. God gave us a community to help us strive for holiness. 5:23). Ideally a Catholic should always be striving to do the best at every moment. Outright disobedience to the civil law must be treated with the utmost seriousness. What does the Bible say about drinking? 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. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isn't a sin, but overindulging in it can be. Weve already touched on this a little above. 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! Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. If Jesus is really Lord of my entire life, then the question is simply this: am I willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel? In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. But I think that its a matter of being moderate about things. But it is not Catholic. However, that is a problem because without being able to clearly and accurately articulate what chastity truly Have you ever given a gift that was meaningless to you? When he pointed out to the scandalized person that Jesus also drank wine, the response was, I know, I never liked that about him. Such has been Americas somewhat abnormal relationship with liqueur. No. 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). If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. Similarly, dont drink in a situation where it could lead someone else to sin. Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Of course an organization has every right to forbid underage drinking, or even drinking at all. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. Being drunk is certainly a sin. For starters, if you choose to be drunk in your own free will, then that is considered a sin. 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. We should keep a close eye to make sure nothing takes the place of God in our life. 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?. It can cause us to lose control of our free will and reason when we drink to excess. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. As in many things, occasional, limited drinking of alcohol is a matter between each believer and God. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! The ideal is that you dont want to get to the point where you feel overly giddy or lose coordination of your limbs, etc. 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. Which view is correct? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in the United States each year. And this, according to St. Peter, isnt the true mark of a Christian: For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 1 Peter 4:3. Alcohol is bad when abused. Please consider supporting RCSpirituality with a donation today. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 is trying to drive that home. If on a lonely country road in the flat land of Illinois I drive on the wrong side of the road in order see over the left side of a bridge am I breaking the law? Is getting drunk a mortal sin? Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. Just because it works for you that typically you dont get pulled over, does not make it not against the law. So, alcohol itself is not the sin. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. This teaching is echoed in the New Testament . So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you dont slip into drunkenness. On its face, perhaps there is an air of plausibility here. Whats interesting about the debate surrounding this topic is that its relatively new. Catholics & Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. Theres that little voice inside that tells you, Ive had enough and should stop there.. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Remember that being a Christian and a Catholic means following in Christs footsteps. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (. For instance, take this verse from the Old Testament: He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. Psalm 104:14-15. In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you. I know this makes some uncomfortable; we like to know exactly where that line is. If you were to glance through these verses that talk about drinking you would find that the Bible never gives a straight answer. If you are harming your health - It's our responsibility to take care of our health, which is a gift from God ( CCC 2288 ). Not at all. What if the State forbid celebrating Mass (Saudi Arabia)? Just log in or create your free account. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. Drinking should be a time of joyful celebration and fellowship! Its a grey area of the Bible. There are certain lines that aregoing out and committing adultery, theres no question about that. in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? Ignoring these laws can easily be grave matter also, even if the driver is not strictly speaking drunk. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? We dont need to avoid those things just because they might do us harm. The Bible talks about the medicinal qualities of alcohol. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. No. This is true both in the Old and New Testament. And then there is the Proverb: "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise" (Prov 21:1).
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