While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. In talking with Catholic college students, Ive come to find that underage drinking is a hot topic. The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. 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. A person who is at home and plans to stay at home might be able to have a second or third beer without any problem (read: without sin). Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. Alcoholic drinks, specifically wine, is mentioned many times in the Old and New Testaments. Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. Part of the reason people drink alcohol is for the relaxing effects. Cheers! 5:21). No. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. 1 Timothy 5: 23. Its become a societal norm to celebrate things over food and drinks. I know this makes some uncomfortable; we like to know exactly where that line is. Read on to learn more. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. 10:9; Isa. It is the abuse of alcohol that is the sin. (Eph. It can . I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.. But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. But for the sake of those weaker in faith, do not do itbecause those weaker in faith may see their brethren eating food sacrificed to idols and it may unwittingly lead them into idolatry. Answer: Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. When youre drunk, you wont have full control of your faculties. As to your specific questions: First, if you are under the legal drinking age, you would do well to respect the law. But its important to address this with our Catholic leaders because every year other new budding Catholic leaders (i.e., freshmen) watch their exampleand then imitate it in the ensuing years. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 3). The Catholic Church does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol. Now there is some truth in that. 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. Regarding intoxication, Wikipedia gives this rather technical passage: Symptoms of alcohol intoxication include euphoria, flushed skin and decreased social inhibition at lower doses, with larger doses producing progressively severe impairments of balance, muscle coordination (ataxia), and decision-making ability (potentially leading to violent or erratic behavior) as well as nausea or vomiting from alcohols disruptive effect on the semicircular canals of the inner ear and chemical irritation of the gastric mucosa. Alcohol is a funny guy. Thats why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). 11 Catholic Birthday Prayers for You and Others, 100+ Short Bible Verses You Can Easily Remember, 40+ Empowering Bible Verses About Being a Woman of God, 60+ Psalms of Encouragement to Lift Up Your Mood, 25 Powerful Bible Verses About Mothers and Daughters, 50+ Most Popular Bible Verses About Resurrection, 70+ Powerful Bible Verses About Blessings. You know, everything in Christianity seems to be regarded as a matter of moderation, doing things in moderation. So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. If you enjoy alcohol, try fasting from it for a time. To make things very concrete, drunkenness has set in when you cannot (or should not) drive a car. Alcohol is complicated, and today many dont know what the Catholic Church teaches about it. Obviously, the Son of Man isnt a drunkard. 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. Is drinking a sin? The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of Gods greatest giftsour intellect and will. There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. You need to go to confession. Its a case of excusing ones own drunkenness and yet somehow still pretending to maintain the letter of the law. This teaching is echoed in the New Testament . Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. David: Yeah. Leave a comment below! Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. However, if you find yourself in an instance where you got drunk because someone drugged your drink, or someone forced you to drink without any of your knowledge and consent, that is not a sin. Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesnt mean it has to be avoided. Licit things, doing licit things like drinking wine is fine in moderation, but not too much, not to become drunk. Alcohol is bad when abused. Widespread and more or less universal custom takes on the authority of law. Remember that being a Christian and a Catholic means following in Christs footsteps. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. Everything You Need to Know About Holy Week. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). Also, if we were pulled over for going three miles per hour over the speed limit, we would be justifiably upsetbecause such an action would contradict nearly universal custom in terms of the enforcement of speeding laws in our country. Theres always something left for us to turn over to the Lord; and as I said, for many college students, underage drinking is the last thing to go. I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. This can be in situations wherein your primary intention for drinking isnt for relaxation, or socialization but for intoxication. A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life. We should strive for unity rather then create division. Copyright 2023 RC Spirituality | All Rights Reserved. A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life and with respect to his impact upon others. Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. Ive seen numerous articles written on this topic. But I wanted to address it from the other side. What if the State (Sweden) forbid spanking your child, would it be sin to pooch your five year old in the behind? Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.. Harmful to body, mind and soul. The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. Alcoholic drinks are accessible and available everywhere. Other examples of abusing good things include overdosing on medicine, neglecting your health and family because of work, and even eating too much chocolate cake. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! Sports teams, some religious orders, and many other organizations all have forbidden drinking alcohol. To educate our young in who they are as moral agents, the definition of conscience, and the proper goal of their actions is hard work. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. This leads you to do things that you wont otherwise do when youre sober such as brawling and excessive cursing. Is Drinking Alcohol Inherently a Sin? It never condemns it, but it often warns against the abuse of it. You must have a strong resolve and an equally strong sense of self-discipline. ( Psalm 104:14, 15; Ecclesiastes 3: 13; 9:7) The Bible also acknowledges the medicinal value of wine. 11:1819). It may be imprudent on my part to suggest this example; but underage students use this excuse in spades and I dont think theyre on the same level (that is, underage drinking and going 3 mph over the speed limit). OpenBible.com lists 75 passages from the Bible about drinking alcohol. But abusing alcoholic beverages can lead one to sin. In these articles that are intended to accompany The Catechism in a Year podcast, we will present a travel guide through the major themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. But, if other people see you drinking or purchasing alcohol, and by that are led to go against . Ive drank too much in my life, but Ive only been drunk once in my life, and that was when I had heard that you had to try Sangria, its really good. They then proceed to draw a moral equivalence between this and underage drinking. No, dont quote me, Im just kidding. Here, he instructs us to radically avoid the near occasion of sin. We hope we were able to answer your question, is it a sin to get drunk? So I think if someone has a propensity to alcoholism and to not being able to control it, I think it would be considered a sin to go and tempt yourself there; but I think each one of those is kind of between you and God. Hence, water, lemonade, soda, water, ginger ale . 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?. an unjust law. Would I be upset with a fine? You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol. Absolutely not. I disagree that you can be justifiably upset for getting pulled over at 3 over the speed limit. For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. Is getting drunk a mortal sin? 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? One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons: No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. The sinfulness of those effects might depend on circumstances. No. He was no stranger to alcohol: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The New Testament is even more emphatic in discouraging drunkenness. 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. Not only are different types of alcohol different, everyone processes alcohol differently. Which view is correct? The other aspect that is typically almost entirely missing in this discussion is the charity we owe to our brothers and sisters and the recognition that our actions affect others. (Prov. Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as drinking alcohol. Over time and as such a culture becomes predominantagain, amidst otherwise serious Catholicsthe general temperature of their zeal for holiness begins to go down; they often still go through the Catholic motions, but the vigor and vitality that comes from knowing Jesus personallyto the point where one gives him their entire lifesubsides. Because young people under 21 tend to to have a higher propensity than older people to drink, get drunk, and drive recklessly. So, alcohol itself is not the sin. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. Heres 6 lessons from the Bible that will help us navigate the question, is drinking a sin? Outright disobedience to the civil law must be treated with the utmost seriousness. What does the Bible say about alcohol? The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns drunken excess and illegal drugs in #2290-2291: The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess:. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. Sinful. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. Or it was so diluted with water it doesnt really count as alcohol. Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! The Pilgrims brought 7,500 gallons of alcohol on their journey across the Atlantic. We should keep a close eye to make sure nothing takes the place of God in our life. But what St. Paul says, in Ephesians 5:18, is: Do not get drunk with wine, for that is a waste, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. So Jesus turned water into wine, and the Aramaic word for wedding feast that Jesus was at, the Aramaic word means a drinking party, so Jesus went to a drinking party and he drank wine with, you knowso drinking of wine or alcohol is never considered a sin. Here, he instructs us to, . An inconvenient law (i.e., the drinking age) is not an unjust law. Is drinking a sin? 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. 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. What about underage drinking? The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. Many years ago it was not uncommon for a Diocese to ask their newly ordained priests not to drink for the first five years or so of their priesthood. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. is it a sin to get drunk? Of course. For example, waiting a few more years to drink in America (21 years old) compared to Spain (16 years old) is not unjust. I would say also the same with sports. First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. Heres what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the issue (CCC 2290). And does it matter in which methods you use, or is it just a sin? So, why do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when its not in the Bible? However, drunkenness is a big no-no both in the Church and in the Bible. Husband. These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. In other words the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring. There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. In personal life he is a proud father of a boy and twin girls. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just like in other things, if you drink alcohol too much, and you are well aware that you are drinking too much, then it becomes a sin. And as modern medicine advances theres much better options to deal with issues. Or if you're an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying "I'll just have one" is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. Of course an organization has every right to forbid underage drinking, or even drinking at all. 10,076 people who died in 2013 because of drunk driving (or one death every 52 minutes)2. Steve Ray: Okay, just a short answer. Catholics are welcome to drink and appreciate alcohol. Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life. 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. We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. If youre an alcoholic, and having a drink brings you near to the place where you are gonna lose control, that could be viewed as a sin. What does the Bible say about drinking? However, thats not what the Bible is saying. To make things very concrete, drunkenness has set in when you cannot (or should not) drive a car. That's adding to the Bible, it doesn't say that. Often times the word that is translated as drunkenness also carries with it the connotation of a perpetual state of being drunk. God even commands the Israelites to go buy beer and celebrate before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:26).