So what about drinking ? Is it a sin for Christians to drink wine or beer ? What about Whiskey, Vodka, or Gin ?

Well the Bible presents clearly that Jesus drank alcoholic wine. It also states VERY clearly that Jesus never sinned. So drinking alcohol can't be a sin. The Bible also warns against drunkeness and being a 'drunkard'. The difference here is one of behavioral issues. It is wrong to be irresponsible. It is wrong to be inconsiderate. It is wrong to be rude. It is wrong to do many things to excess. Some people have tried to claim that the wine of Jesus day didn't make you drunk. WRONG! All the way back in Genesis 9:21 the Bible clearly presents that wine got you drunk when enough was consumed. Some will then argue "well the old wine did, but not the new wine, see the Bible makes a distinction, and Jesus must have only drunk new wine...." Well Hosea 4:10-11 refutes that errorant doctrine by teaching that both "old wine and new, which take away the understanding" Also in Luke 7:33-35 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees by saying "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, `He has a demon.' 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." Clearly showing that He drank the type of wine that "made men merry".

Starting back in Genesis 14 Melchizadek (a type for Christ) used wine in a religious ceremony (offering). Wine was used in offerings to God ever since.

Psalm 104 tells us that "GOD made wine that maketh glad the heart of man". We read in Proverbs 31:6&7 "Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more" and in Ecclesiastes 9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." and in Ecclesiastes 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry" In Isaiah chapter 1 as God rebukes Israel He says : "Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water." In 1 Timothy 3:8 when Paul is describing the type of person that would make a good church leader he says "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain." Even Pastors could drink, just not too much ! In chapter 5 Paul tells Timothy (an Apostle) "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine"

The Bible encourages drinking yet it discourages drunkeness. Proverbs 20 warns not to be led astray by beer or wine. Proverbs 21:17 warns not to be in love with wine. Proverbs 23:20 tells us "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat" - Isn't it funny that you never see anyone being kicked out of Christian leadership for eating too much ! I've seen fat Christian leaders expell healthy Christians from leadership because they drank alcoholic drinks - what a perfect example of a hypocritical legalist !

The bottom line here is this: Drunkeness is a sin, as is gluttony. These are selfish and harmful behaviors. Drinking for merriment, when done in moderation, is fine, and can even be healthy mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The only way one can drink and not get drunk is to exercise the fruit of the Spirit known as 'self control'.