by Bob Prichard
Most people would say that getting drunk is wrong, but many people feel that there is
nothing wrong with social drinking when done in moderation. There may be a difference in the
degree of intoxication between a “social drinker” and a drunkard, but there is very little difference
between the two. Whether the person drinks a great deal or only a little, the alcohol impairs him.
Drinking moderately makes one “moderately drunk.” God has never allowed “moderate sin.” Sin
is sin in His sight.
Wise King Solomon said, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: And whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise,” (Pro. 20:1). He asks: “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. Look not thou upon the wine
when it is red, When it giveth his colour in the cup, When it moveth itself aright. At the last it
biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder,” (23:29-32). Solomon’s vivid words depict one
of the great dangers of consuming alcohol—“At the last it biteth like a serpent.”
People drink for many reasons. Sometimes, it is because of loneliness, pain, or failure. Often,
people just want to follow the crowd or have a good time. Those problems the drinker wants to
escape from through the bottle are still there when he is sober again, though. Christ came to help
us overcome the problems that face us. Among the Christians at Corinth were former drunkards.
Paul reminded them: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be
not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,” (1Cor.
6:9-11). God intended for Christianity, not alcohol, to fill the void in people’s lives. Paul wrote:
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”
(Eph. 5:18-19).
Some say that drinking is not as serious as other sins. That does not excuse it in God’s sight,
however. According to 1Corinthians 6:9-11, cited above, God classes the drunkard with idolaters,
fornicators, and thieves. Alcohol devastates millions of families each year. The influ-ence and
power of alcohol bring broken homes, traffic fatalities, and general chaos. Whether alcohol is used
moderately or immoderately, it is sinful and opposed to the will of God.
A significant percentage of people who try to “social drink” end up as alcoholics, unable to
curb or control their desire for alcohol. With all the well-known problems of alcohol, why take a
risk by social drinking?
Editor’s Note: Brother Prichard makes some excellent points in this article. I especially appreciate
the reminder that the void in our lives which alcohol is intended to fill, can properly be filled only
by the Holy Spirit. “Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming
the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of
the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking
one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your
heart to the Lord,” (Eph. 5:15-19). —RCV
