When Christians Drink
I’ve noticed something rather interesting in many modern Korean dramas. You don’t have to watch too many episodes before you see people drinking — and a lot of it. Friends entering legal age for drinking gather for their “first drink” to celebrate their coming of age. Colleagues go out for drinks after work, hopping from one bar to another to unwind. People drink when they’re happy, and they also drink when they’re sad.
Drinking is portrayed as a way of life — almost like breathing. It is the social lubricant that keeps relationships flowing. In these dramas, even drunkenness is often made to look funny, endearing, or harmless. Everyone laughs off the scene of someone stumbling home drunk or pouring their heart out under the influence.
But beneath the laughter lies something worth thinking about.
The Worldly Spirit behind Drinking
In today’s world, drinking often carries symbolic meaning beyond the act itself.
Some see drinking as a rite of passage to adulthood.
To be able to drink is to wear a badge that says, “I’m grown up now.” It gives one a false sense of maturity, as though adulthood can be measured by the volume of alcohol one can hold.
Some see drinking as a means of acceptance.
To join in with friends or colleagues at the bar is to feel included. Nobody wants to be that odd one out who orders orange juice. So you drink, even if you don’t really want to, just to belong.
Some see drinking as a coping mechanism.
When sadness comes — and it surely does — some turn to the bottle to forget. They drink to numb the pain, to feel momentarily good. But the relief is fleeting, and when the effect wears off, the pain often deepens.
This, I fear, is the spirit that has crept subtly into our lives — a worldly spirit that normalises what the Bible warns against.
What the Bible Says
The Bible does not say that drinking alcohol is wrong. In fact, Jesus Himself turned water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1–11). Paul even advised Timothy to “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach” (1 Timothy 5:23). But the same Bible draws a clear line when it comes to drunkenness.
Here are some of the many warnings:
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“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” — Ephesians 5:18
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“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness.” — Romans 13:13
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“Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.” — 1 Corinthians 6:10
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“Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may run after strong drink.” — Isaiah 5:11
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“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” — Proverbs 20:1
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“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor.” — Proverbs 23:20–21
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“Let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8
Drunkenness clouds judgment, loosens restraint, and opens the door for sin. But beyond that, the Bible also warns against worldliness — conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). It warns against seeking satisfaction from “broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13) instead of turning to the living God who alone can quench the thirst of our souls.
When a Leader Drinks
I have known of a case whereby a leader of a church frequently met up with his young adult members to drink in order to connect with them. He felt that by drinking with them, he could build trust and camaraderie. Unfortunately, in one such meeting, he became tipsy and committed inappropriate behaviours. The parents of those young adults were upset — they also began to question why their leader was introducing alcohol and drinking to their children. Eventually, the leader left the church in shame and pain.
This incident reminds us that what begins with good intentions can still lead to harm when we are careless with boundaries. Influence carries weight, especially in leadership. When leaders normalise drinking, they risk confusing those who look up to them.
If You Choose to Drink
If you choose to drink, it’s important to pause and ask yourself:
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Why do I drink?
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Have I bought into the worldly culture of drinking?
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Do I drink out of pride — to appear mature or to fit in?
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Do I drink as a coping mechanism — to numb pain or escape?
If the answer leans toward any of these, you are treading on dangerous ground. You are at risk of letting the worldly spirit, not the Holy Spirit, shape your heart.
My Personal Stance
I have chosen not to engage in social drinking in view of the worldly spirit behind it. I do not wish to be shaped by a spirit that glorifies what the Bible cautions against.
However, I do engage in occasional drinking — at very special occasions like partaking the Holy Communion, on wedding celebrations or anniversaries. Even then, I refrain from asking for a second glass. I also choose not to drink beer but, if at all, a little red wine or champagne.
This is not about legalism or pride. It is about discernment and stewardship — being careful not to let a liberty become a stumbling block, whether to myself or to others.
A Word of Caution and Reflection
Paul reminds us that “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 10:23).
A Christian should never be known by the tag “he is a good drinker” or “she loves her wine.” These are not badges of maturity or marks of faith.
And a gathering of Christians should never be one where alcohol consumption is emphasised, encouraged or cheered. When our joy depends on a drink, we have already lost sight of the One who offers us the living water.
So before you raise your glass, pause and ask — not just “Can I drink?” but “Why do I drink?”
Let us not be filled with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.