70 Eye-Opening Bible Verses About Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most discussed topics among Christians today. When we search for bible verses about drinking alcohol, we find that Scripture offers a balanced yet deeply convicting perspective. The Bible neither completely forbids alcohol nor gives us permission to drink without restraint. Instead, God's Word calls us to wisdom, self-control, and a heart that honors Him in every decision — including what we choose to drink.

On the one hand, excessive drinking leads to drunkenness, poor judgment, broken relationships, and spiritual destruction. The Bible is filled with warnings about the dangers of strong drink and the consequences that follow when we lose control. On the other hand, alcohol appears in Scripture in neutral and even positive contexts. Jesus Himself turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, and the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach ailments. Even Communion — one of the most sacred acts in the Christian faith — traditionally involves wine.

The key lies in the heart behind the action. Are you drinking in moderation, with gratitude and self-control? Or are you using alcohol to escape, numb pain, or indulge in sinful behavior? As believers, we are called to be filled with faith and trust in God rather than relying on substances. In this comprehensive Bible study, we have gathered 70 eye-opening Bible verses about drinking alcohol to help you understand what God's Word truly says.

Bible Verses Warning Against Drunkenness

The Bible is clear that drunkenness is a sin. These verses offer powerful warnings about the spiritual and physical consequences of excessive drinking. As you read through these scriptures, ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas where alcohol may have an unhealthy hold on your life. If you struggle with anxiety or stress that leads to drinking, consider exploring prayers for anxiety and depression as a healthier path toward peace.

1. Isaiah 5:11 KJV

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

2. Proverbs 20:1 KJV

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

3. 1 Peter 4:7 KJV

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

4. Isaiah 5:22 KJV

Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

5. 1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

6. Genesis 27:28 KJV

Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

7. Ecclesiastes 2:3 KJV

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

8. Leviticus 10:9 KJV

Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

9. Ecclesiastes 10:17 KJV

Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

10. 1 Corinthians 6:10 KJV

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Scripture on the Consequences of Alcohol Abuse

These Bible verses reveal the devastating consequences that come from abusing alcohol. From poverty and shame to spiritual blindness and broken communities, the effects of drunkenness ripple far beyond the individual. God warns us not because He wants to restrict our joy, but because He loves us deeply and desires to protect us from harm.

11. Joel 3:3 KJV

And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

12. Proverbs 21:17 KJV

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

13. Proverbs 23:32 KJV

At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

14. Isaiah 28:1 KJV

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

15. Proverbs 31:4 KJV

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

16. Isaiah 55:1 KJV

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

17. Judges 13:7 KJV

But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

18. Matthew 26:29 KJV

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

19. Ezekiel 44:21 KJV

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

20. 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Bible Verses About Sobriety and Self-Control

God calls His people to live with sober minds and self-controlled spirits. The scriptures below emphasize the importance of staying vigilant, guarding your heart, and choosing the fullness of the Holy Spirit over the emptiness that alcohol can bring. If you want to develop greater spiritual discipline, learning about Christian meditation can be a powerful tool for renewing your mind and strengthening your walk with God.

21. Joel 1:5 KJV

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

22. Genesis 9:21 KJV

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

23. Luke 21:34 KJV

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

24. Galatians 5:21 KJV

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

25. Jeremiah 35:14 KJV

The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

26. Romans 13:13 KJV

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

27. 2 Samuel 11:13 KJV

And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

28. Proverbs 23:35 KJV

They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

29. 1 Timothy 5:23 KJV

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

30. Habakkuk 2:15 KJV

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

What Jesus and the New Testament Say About Alcohol

Many people wonder whether Jesus drank wine and what the New Testament teaches about alcohol. The scriptures below reveal that Jesus was not opposed to wine in itself — He even turned water into wine at a wedding celebration. However, the New Testament consistently warns against excess and calls believers to prioritize spiritual fullness over physical indulgence. Understanding God's love for us helps us see these warnings not as restrictions but as loving guidance from our Heavenly Father.

31. Matthew 11:19 KJV

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

32. 1 Corinthians 5:11 KJV

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

33. Daniel 1:8 KJV

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

34. Isaiah 29:9 KJV

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

35. Titus 2:3 KJV

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

36. Romans 12:2 KJV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

37. Romans 14:21 KJV

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

38. Proverbs 23:20 KJV

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

39. Isaiah 28:3 KJV

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

40. Hosea 4:11 KJV

Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Proverbs and Wisdom About Wine and Strong Drink

The book of Proverbs is filled with practical wisdom about the dangers of alcohol. These verses serve as timeless reminders that choosing sobriety is choosing wisdom. The wise person recognizes that the temporary pleasure of strong drink is not worth the lasting harm it can cause to the body, mind, and spirit.

41. Proverbs 23:21 KJV

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

42. Luke 7:34 KJV

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

43. Isaiah 25:6 KJV

And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

44. Ecclesiastes 9:7 KJV

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

45. 1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

46. Isaiah 28:7 KJV

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

47. Proverbs 31:6 KJV

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

48. Luke 1:15 KJV

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

49. 1 Timothy 3:3 KJV

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

50. John 2:10 KJV

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

Alcohol and Church Leadership in the Bible

Scripture sets a high standard for those who serve in church leadership. Bishops, deacons, and elders are called to be examples of sobriety and self-control. These verses make it clear that spiritual leaders must not be controlled by wine or strong drink, as their role requires clear judgment and blameless conduct before God and His people.

51. Titus 1:7 KJV

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

52. Numbers 6:3 KJV

He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

53. 1 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

54. Isaiah 24:9 KJV

They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

55. Matthew 9:17 KJV

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

56. Amos 9:14 KJV

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

57. Judges 13:4 KJV

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

58. Amos 2:8 KJV

And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their God.

59. Ephesians 5:18 KJV

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

60. Habakkuk 2:5 KJV

Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Being Filled with the Spirit Instead of Wine

Perhaps the most powerful message in all of Scripture regarding alcohol is found in Ephesians 5:18 — the call to be filled with the Spirit rather than drunk with wine. These final verses remind us that true joy, peace, and satisfaction are found not in a bottle but in the presence of God. When we choose to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture, we discover a fullness that no earthly drink can provide.

61. Proverbs 23:31 KJV

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

62. Matthew 24:49 KJV

And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

63. Deuteronomy 21:20 KJV

And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

64. 1 Timothy 3:8 KJV

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

65. 1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

66. Deuteronomy 14:26 KJV

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

67. Luke 10:34 KJV

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

68. 1 Peter 4:3 KJV

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

69. Judges 13:14 KJV

She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

70. 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Conclusion: What Does the Bible Really Say About Drinking Alcohol?

After examining these 70 Bible verses about drinking alcohol, one truth becomes clear: the act of drinking alcohol is not inherently sinful, but drunkenness and the loss of self-control absolutely are. Scripture consistently warns against excess while acknowledging that wine can be part of God's blessings when received with gratitude and moderation.

The heart behind your actions matters deeply to God. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, whether we eat or drink, we should do all to the glory of God. If alcohol has become a stumbling block in your life — or in the lives of those around you — the Bible encourages us to choose love, sobriety, and the filling of the Holy Spirit over any temporary pleasure.

If you are struggling with the temptation to drink excessively, remember that God offers healing and restoration to all who seek Him. Turn to prayer, lean on Scripture, and surround yourself with a community of believers who will encourage you on your journey.

May you experience victory, freedom, and deep peace in Jesus Christ.

God bless!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a sin to drink alcohol according to the Bible?

The Bible does not call drinking alcohol a sin in itself. However, Scripture clearly condemns drunkenness and losing self-control. Verses like Ephesians 5:18 and Galatians 5:21 warn that habitual drunkenness can keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God. The key is moderation and a heart that honors God.

Did Jesus drink wine?

Yes, the Bible indicates that Jesus drank wine. In Matthew 11:19, Jesus Himself acknowledged that He came "eating and drinking." He also turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:10) and shared wine with His disciples during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:29). Jesus did not condemn wine but demonstrated its place within a life of godly moderation.

What does the Bible say about being sober-minded?

Scripture repeatedly calls believers to sobriety and clear thinking. 1 Peter 5:8 urges us to "be sober, be vigilant" because our enemy the devil is always looking for weakness. Being sober-minded means keeping a clear, focused heart that is ready for prayer, service, and discernment — free from the clouding effects of excess.

Can Christians drink alcohol socially?

Many Christians believe that moderate, responsible drinking is permissible based on passages like 1 Timothy 5:23 and Ecclesiastes 9:7. However, Romans 14:21 reminds believers