Question 10
What does the Bible teach about alcohol?
Bible
Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging. Whoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Proverbs 23:31-32
"Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it gives its color in the cup, when it moves itself aright. At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder."
Answer
When the Bible uses the word "wine", it can be referring to either fermented alcohol or unfermented grape juice. Using the word "wine" to refer to either alcohol or grape juice has confused many Christians. The best way to tell the difference is by the context in which it is written. Speaking of the fermented wine, the Bible says, "Wine is a mocker and a deceiver." The Bible says don’t even look at the wine that moves itself (meaning fermented). This kind of wine will cause you harm. Fermented wine, or alcohol, is forbidden. The Bible also talks about wine that is unfermented grape juice. For example, in Isaiah 65:8, it calls unfermented wine, "new wine" that is found "in the cluster".