Is it Christian to Drink Alcohol or Not?

“Do everything in love…”

“Do not be drunk on wine but be filled with the Spirit”

“Jesus came drinking and eating and he was called a glutton and a drunkard.”

Paul stated: “Everything is beneficial for me” But I will not be mastered by anything

At the end of the day the way we use and handle everything in this life that is potentially abusive within the bounds of however God has ordained it’s use. If you think of it almost everything used abusively or out of its proper context can be damaging to our bides and souls, from oxygen, water, fire, to money, power, and sexuality. The Lord advises the proper use of, “everything for our enjoyment”. So we should always resist “sin” or “missing the mark” (God’s Righteous standard of conduct), and try to never be under the control of anything other than our own conscience, because The Lord has, “given us a Spirit of Self-control”.

Regarding alcohol, The Lord encouraged its use when he gave instructions to His people Israel in the desert to add it to His daily offering in the form of wine or strong drink. (numbers 28:7) The Lord even went so far as to advise the buying of wine and strong drink to use for celebration before The Lord in Jerusalem during the various feasts. (Deut 14:26)

Even the Roman Philosophers pontificated the concept: “abusus non tollit usum”, which meant “abuse doesn’t negate the proper use”.

However Paul went on to give an ultimate rule: “I will not drink wine if it causes my brother to stumble.” So when in proximity to your brother who has a sensitivity to drinking alcohol, struggling with a temptation, then the rule is to operate in love…and to abstain, not because drinking alcohol is against The Law of God, but in defference to your brother’s conscience.

Is it Christian to Use Drugs or Not?

As Christians we may not be under the influence of anything that removes our conscience or puts us in a weakened state regarding our conscience, “be not drunk with wine but be filled with The Holy Spirit”, so we must avoid anything that challenges who’s in control of our faculties.

Regarding illicit drugs this should be very clear.

Regarding non-illicit or prescription drugs what is the answer?

When we allow ourselves to be medicated using prescription drugs for pain, anxiety, depression or other such cases, we can actually open ourselves up to influences that may cross the bounds of who is actively in charge of our faculties.

Many of the currently available pain meds have been clearly shown to be highly addictive, leading to the destruction of the user, and their family. Obviously we should avoid these extreme prescription meds. 

What is the alternative?

Consider lighter power drugs, such as over the counter pain medications, for example Tylenol with codeine, or extra strength Tylenol as an example, in place of hgihly addictive meds such as Oxycontin, or other opiod-based prescriptions.

At the end of the day you must make your own choice regarding these things, but be sure that, “we must all give an account of our deeds before God who is ready to Judge the Living and the Dead.”