Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Alcohol Abuse

Created:
January 15, 2025
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Updated:
January 31, 2025
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Author:
Joseph Cox

Ever wondered what the Bible has to say about alcohol? You're not alone. Many people turn to scripture for guidance on this topic.

Let's dive into some verses that shed light on the issue of alcohol abuse. You might find some surprising insights along the way.

50 Bible Verses About Alcohol Abuse

10 Bible Verses on Alcohol Abuse Warnings

Proverbs 20:1
  • "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." — Proverbs 20:1
  • "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 'They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?'" — Proverbs 23:29-35
  • "Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!" — Isaiah 5:11
  • "Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink." — Isaiah 5:22
  • "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness!" — Habakkuk 2:15
  • "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." — Ephesians 5:18
  • "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." — 1 Corinthians 6:10
  • "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:19-21
  • "For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries." — 1 Peter 4:3
  • "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy." — Romans 13:13

10 Bible Verses on Consequences of Drunkenness

Proverbs 23:21
  • "For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." — Proverbs 23:21
  • "But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." — Isaiah 28:7
  • "Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart." — Hosea 4:11
  • "Awake, you drunkards, and weep; and wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth." — Joel 1:5
  • "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person." — 1 Corinthians 5:11
  • "For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk." — 1 Corinthians 11:21
  • "Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:21
  • "Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous." — 1 Timothy 3:3
  • "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money." — Titus 1:7
  • "With whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." — Revelation 17:2

10 Bible Verses on Sobriety and Self-Control

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
  • "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." — 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
  • "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 1:13
  • "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7
  • "That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience." — Titus 2:2
  • "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." — Titus 2:12
  • "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." — 1 Corinthians 9:25
  • "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." — Galatians 5:22-23
  • "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." — 1 Peter 5:8
  • "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." — Romans 12:3
  • "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness." — 2 Peter 1:5-6

10 Bible Verses on Wisdom on Intoxication

Proverbs 31:4-5
  • "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted." — Proverbs 31:4-5
  • "Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time—For strength and not for drunkenness!" — Ecclesiastes 10:17
  • "Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower which is at the head of the verdant valleys, to those who are overcome with wine!" — Isaiah 28:1
  • "But they said, 'We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, "You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever."'" — Jeremiah 35:6
  • "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." — Daniel 1:8
  • "In the day of our king princes have made him sick, inflamed with wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers." — Hosea 7:5
  • "And begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards." — Matthew 24:49
  • "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly." — Luke 21:34
  • "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." — Romans 14:21
  • "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31

10 Bible Verses on Spiritual Sobriety Guidance

Romans 8:6
  • "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." — Romans 8:6
  • "But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one." — 1 Corinthians 2:15
  • "Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." — 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." — Ephesians 4:23
  • "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." — Philippians 4:8
  • "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." — Colossians 3:2
  • "But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." — 1 Timothy 4:7-8
  • "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." — Hebrews 12:1-2
  • "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." — James 1:5
  • "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." — James 3:17

What Does the Bible Say About Alcohol Abuse

The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom on the topic of alcohol abuse, emphasizing the importance of sobriety and self-control. Verses like Proverbs 20:1 and Isaiah 5:11 warn against the dangers of excessive drinking, highlighting how it can lead to poor judgment and destructive behavior. These warnings serve as a reminder that while alcohol itself is not inherently evil, its misuse can lead to significant harm.

Consequences of drunkenness are vividly described in passages such as Proverbs 23:21 and Isaiah 28:7. These verses illustrate how alcohol abuse can lead to poverty, impaired judgment, and even spiritual downfall. The Bible encourages us to be mindful of these consequences and to seek a life of balance and moderation.

On a more hopeful note, the Bible also provides guidance on how to live a sober and self-controlled life. Verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 and Galatians 5:22-23 encourage us to embrace virtues such as faith, love, and self-control. These teachings offer a path to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life, free from the chains of addiction.

Ultimately, the Bible's message on alcohol abuse is one of compassion and hope. By applying these teachings, we can strive to live healthier, more balanced lives, and support others in their journey towards sobriety. Let these verses inspire you to make positive changes and seek a life of wisdom and self-control.

How to Apply Alcohol Abuse Bible Verses in Daily Life

Applying the Bible's teachings on alcohol abuse in daily life can be transformative. Start by reflecting on the verses that resonate with you and consider how they apply to your current habits.

Here are some actionable steps to help you integrate these teachings:

  • Set Personal Boundaries: Decide on limits for alcohol consumption and stick to them.
  • Seek Accountability: Share your goals with a trusted friend or family member who can support you.
  • Engage in Prayer: Regularly pray for strength and guidance to overcome temptations.
  • Join a Support Group: Consider joining a faith-based support group for encouragement and accountability.
  • Focus on Self-Control: Practice self-discipline in other areas of your life to build overall self-control.

Incorporate these steps into your routine to foster a healthier relationship with alcohol. Remember, the journey towards sobriety is a continuous process that requires dedication and faith.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

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