Sanctified Sobriety
Even though I am young, I have already heard this phrase many times: “You can do anything as long as it is done in moderation.”
But is that truly the wisdom God gives us? The world often teaches that anything is acceptable as long as we set our own limits. However, Scripture calls us to a higher standard—not simply asking whether something is allowed, but whether it honors God, strengthens our faith, and keeps our hearts devoted to Him. The enemy often takes something that sounds reasonable and uses it to blur the lines between wisdom and compromise. As believers, we are not called to simply follow what the world considers acceptable; we are called to seek what is holy, pure, and pleasing to the Lord.
Our first mention of intoxication is in Genesis 20-21. “And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:“ “And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.“ Shortly after in Leviticus 9:8-11 God gives Aaron instructions against drinking and the importance of priestly service with sobriety, discernment, and reverence. “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,“ “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:“ “And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;“ “And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.“Why did God give this command? The answer is that God wanted His servants to have clear minds so they could discern His will, represent Him well, and teach His truth faithfully.The instruction that God gave to Aaron to the priests still apply to us even though it is in the Old Testament because the New Testament echoes these exact themes. Believers are called “Royal Priesthood.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:“
Proverbs 31:4-5 “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.“ “Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” King Lemuel apparently was a non-Israelite king and is mentioned only by name in Proverbs 31 (twice, again in 31:1). God has high standards for his rulers for his people, especially with respect to drinking fermented wine and intoxicating beverages. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.“ Throughout Proverbs the most common theme we see is Wisdom and it imparts some key details about intoxication.
As a “mockery” it leads to a decreased capacity for self-control, a weakening of inhibitions and a distaining of prudent behavior and righteous values. Hosea 7:5 “In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.“ Hosea writes of God’s rebuke of the northern kingdom of Israel. Hosea prophesied during a time of political instability, idolatry, and moral corruption to which this verse suggest the cause of it was the king’s habit of drinking.
As “raging“ it contributes to disturbances, conflicts and violence in families and society. Proverbs 23:29-20“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?” “They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”
It is also associated with poverty: Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:” “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
One very big question that I always had growing up is, “If Jesus is against alcohol, why did he turn water into wine??” The answer came to me one day when I was doing a simple daily devotion.
John 2:1-11 “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:” “And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.” “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.” “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” “His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.” “Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.” “And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.” “When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,” “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.” “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”
The Greek word translated "wine" οἶνον (oinos) can refer to either fermented wine or fresh grape juice, depending on the context. Scripture consistently condemns drunkenness and calls God's people to sobriety and self-control, therefore implying non fermented wine. Ephesians 5:18“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Hebrews 4:15“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus never sinned and could not sin, he would not create something that could encourage drunkenness, which Scripture repeatedly condemns.
“New wine” fits better with the contxt of John with its emphesis on the “newness” of the gospel that Jesus brings. Moreover, old wineskins and old (aged) wine are associated with Judaism, not the gospel. in the four Gospels. The ultimate goal of redemption is to make all things new, Revelation 21:5 “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” The quality of the wine was good (καλὸν) in contrast to worse wine (v.10). According to various ancient writers the good wine was the sweetest wine - one that could be drunk freely and in large quantities without harm. This is complete contrast to modern day alcoholic beverages to which many have described the "burn" from drinking hard alcohol as a sharp prickling heat, a fiery sensation in the throat, caused by ethanol activating your mouth's heat and pain receptors. Not sweet, by the way.
Finally, the wine miracle of Jesus as His first miraculous sign was intended to reveal His glory and cause His disciples to put their faith in him. He would have no likely created alcohol to reveal his glory in light of the strong warnings in the Old Testament about alcoholic wine and its harmful effects. 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death. In the U.S., it claims approximately 178,000 lives annually, surging by about 29% in recent years. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that alcohol attributes to 2.6 million deaths each year. (CDC) Alcohol is the most common substance used among people 12 and older in the United States. Data from the landmark Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study reveals that roughly 22.5 of 9- and 10-year-old children report having had a sip or taste of alcohol. This is barely scratching the surface of how the Devil is trying to steal away the innocence of children through something the world seems completely normal. Even I, someone who grew up in a Christian home, had both parents in church, still remember seeing the effects intoxication had on my distant family. This is why the bible instructs us to guards our heart and minds.
1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
