Dear Conrad, I am not an alcoholic.  I live in a house where there is no drinking.  I am a Christian, and I see many Christians drinking alcohol.  Is it a sin to drink at all?  Or is it a sin only if it is not done in moderation?

Good question.  There is much debate over drinking and when it becomes a sin.  There is more to think about than just thinking that it’s okay if you don’t get drunk.

First, there are a bunch of verses about being allowed to drink alcohol in the Bible:

Positive Uses of Wine:  Offered with sacrifices (Ex 29:40; Lev 23:13; Nu 15:5, 10; 18:12; 28:7, 14; Dt 14:23; Ne 10:39). For enjoyment (Ps 4:7; 104:15; Pr 31:6-7; Ecc 2:3; Isa 25:6; Zec 9:17; 10:7).  Recommended by Paul to Timothy (1Ti 5:23). Given by Melchizedek to Abraham (Ge 14:18). Used at meals (Mt 26:27-29; Mk 14:23). Made by Jesus at the marriage feast in Cana (Jn 2:9-10). Used in the Lord's Supper (Mt 26:27-29; Lk 22:17-20).

But of course there is much warning or condemnation of drunkenness or addiction to alcohol:

Drunkenness condemned (Pr 20:1; Isa 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:1, 3, 7; 56:12; Jer 23:9; Hos 4:11; Joel 1:5; Am 6:6; Hab 2:5; Eph 5:18; 1Ti 3:8; Tit 2:3). Addiction and craving condemned (Pr 21:17; 23:29-32; Joel 1:5).

While we’re on it, there are also many cases of abstinence from wine:

Required Abstinence -- Of Levites while on duty (Lev 10:9; Eze 44:21). Of Nazirites during their vow (Nu 6:3). Of Samson's mother during her pregnancy (Jdg 13:4-5). See Nazirite(s). Required of kings and rulers (Pr 31:4-5). Of John the Baptist (Lk 1:15).   Chosen Abstinence -- By Daniel to avoid defilement (Da 1:8-20), in mouring (Da 10:3). By the Recabites to honor a vow (Jer 35:6, 8, 14, 16). With bread, denied to the Israelites in the desert (Dt 29:6). Temperance allowed the quests at Xerxes' banquet (Est 1:8).

For the sake of the weaker brother (Ro 14:21).

So when does drinking become a sin?  

Drunkenness is a sin because of the lack of self-control.  Same with addiction (alcoholism).  Self-control is required and also a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).  The alcohol isn’t evil, the lack of self-control is.  The same thing would go for food.  Gluttony is the sin, not eating the food.  Greed is the sin, not having money.

So you also have to consider the larger picture, where drinking is not the sin, but something associated with it still is.  Take a look at these following examples.

Drinking is also a sin in the case of Romans 14:21 – causing your brother to stumble.  This would be a case like, drinking in front of someone who is addicted and trying to stay sober and you going, “Mmmm… this wine is SOOOO GOOOOD!  I bet you wish you could have some.  Ha, but you can’t, because you’re a drunk.  Here, can you smell that?  Mmmm.  Yummy.”  You basically are tempting them and becoming a catalyst for sin.  You are not drunk, but you are still sinning because you are causing a brother to stumble.

Drinking also is wrong in the case where it’s against the law.  Underage drinking.  Drinking while driving.  Basically when you break some law.  You are not drunk, but you are still sinning by breaking the law.

Another case.  Since you are a steward of God’s resources, it would be sinful of you to spend $100 a week on alcohol when you can’t pay our bills or feed your starving daughter.  In this case, you’re not drunk, but you’d be sinful in your stewardship of God’s resources. 

So while the Bible doesn’t condemn drinking at all times, it certainly speaks on the sins that can be caused by it.  As with all other items such as food or money, you have to be aware of the larger picture.  Just because one particular thing isn’t a sin, doesn’t mean all actions associated with it are not.  So be careful.