Bible Question: Is it wrong for a Christian to smoke? If so, what about those who drink coffee?   Bible Answer: Smoking is not directly condemned in the Bible and neither is the drinking of coffee or alcoholic beverages. A recent question and answer has discussed the question of smoking. Since the drinking of coffee or tea is not discussed in the Bible, you may want to look at the principles that are given in the question and answer about smoking. When we come to the drinking of alcoholic beverages, such as wine, beer and alcohol, the Bible has some interesting things to say.      Alcohol In The Bible. The Bible only condemns drunkenness - not the drinking of alcohol. Drinking was part of everyday life. It occurred in the Old Testament (Genesis 9:21) as well as the New Testament (1 Corinthians 11:21). These two examples are about people who were drunk. The verses were selected to show they drank real wine - alcohol. It is not wrong to drink wine.      Drinking alcohol is not wrong. This is implied by the miracle that Jesus performed at the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). At this wedding, Jesus made new wine from ordinary water for the guests because they had run out of water. If it is wrong to drink wine, why did Jesus make wine? Then in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul the apostle tells Timothy to, "No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." Again, if drinking wine is a sin, why would an apostle direct some one to drink wine?      Historical research has discovered that the wine the Bible speaks of, was usually mixed with water. They mixed 2 to 10 parts of water with one part of wine. They considered wine at full strength to be "strong drink" and a disgrace (Stein, Robert. Wine Drinking in New Testament Times. Christianity Today. 1975). "Strong drink" is a term that we find throughout scripture.     Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. Proverbs 31:6 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing strong drink. Isaiah 5:22 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time - for strength, and not for drunkenness. (NASB) 1 John 5:19        Do Not Get Drunk. The Bible does not approve of all drinking. Perhaps the strongest statements about drunkenness are the next two passages:     But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler - not even to eat with such a one. (1 Corinthians 5:11). . . . nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10 )   Drunkenness is a sin! The principles discussed in the question and answer on smoking will apply to anyone who fears being controlled by alcohol. Personally, I avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking since I am aware they are very addictive and can injure one's health. God also warns us to avoid people who are constantly getting drunk. Why? The Holy Spirit gives us these two reasons,     I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people . . . (NASB) 1 Corinthians 5:9   Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 15:33   Conclusion: God does not tell us that we cannot smoke cigarettes or drink wine, beer, alcohol, coffee or tea. The Holy Spirit calls us to not be controlled by anything other than Himself. He wants to control us - to fill us. The Lord Jesus wants us to yield ourselves to Him and let His Spirit take over our lives. If that means giving up these things, we must yield. When we do we will experience the steady, graceful, godly change in our life that He wants us to experience.         < Back
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