Is It a Sin to Get Drunk? What the Bible Says

Drunkenness is sin. The Bible never treats it as a minor weakness or a harmless habit. It is listed among the works of the flesh, alongside sexual immorality and idolatry, and Scripture says plainly that those who practise it will not inherit the kingdom of God. That is a serious statement, and it is meant to be. But the same Bible that names drunkenness as sin also names it as forgivable. If you are asking this question because you are worried about your own drinking, the fact that you are asking is not a bad sign. It may be the first honest step.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. — Ephesians 5:18 (BSB)

This article looks at what Scripture actually says about getting drunk, what it says about drinking at all, why the Bible treats drunkenness so seriously, and what to do next if you want to change.

What does the Bible actually say about getting drunk?

The clearest passages are not vague. Romans 13:13 puts drunkenness in a list with orgies and sensuality and says to walk properly, not in those things. First Corinthians 6:9-10 says drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God. First Thessalonians 5:7-8 contrasts those who get drunk at night with those who belong to the day and are to be sober. Galatians 5:19-21 lists drunkenness among the works of the flesh.

The Old Testament is no softer. The first recorded case of intoxication is Noah in Genesis 9:21, and it ends in shame. Isaiah 5:11 pronounces woe on those who rise early to pursue strong drink. Habakkuk 2:15 pronounces woe on anyone who makes a neighbour drunk. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

So the answer to the question is yes. Getting drunk is sin. It is not merely a health issue or a bad habit, though it is both of those too. It is a moral matter before God.

Does the Bible forbid drinking alcohol altogether?

No. Scripture does not command total abstinence for everyone. Wine appears positively in the Bible: Jesus turned water into wine at Cana (John 2), and Paul tells Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). The Bible condemns drunkenness, not the mere existence of alcohol.

But that is not the whole picture, and it would be dishonest to pretend it is. The Bible also speaks warmly of those who choose not to drink. John the Baptist was a Nazirite who drank no wine. Paul says in Romans 14 that if food or drink causes a brother to stumble, he will never do it. Many Christians across history, and many today, have concluded that for them the wisest course is not to drink at all. That is a legitimate and often admirable choice.

So there are two faithful positions here. Some Christians drink moderately and thank God for it. Others abstain entirely, either because of conscience, or because of a past struggle, or to protect someone else. Neither should judge the other. What Scripture never permits is getting drunk.

Why does the Bible treat drunkenness so seriously?

Because drunkenness does something to a person that God says belongs to Him alone. Ephesians 5:18 sets being filled with the Spirit against being drunk with wine. Both are a kind of filling. Both take over a person. One leads to worship and self-control; the other leads to reckless indiscretion and loss of control.

Drunkenness also damages other people. Habakkuk 2:15 speaks of giving a neighbour drink to expose him or take advantage of him. Drunkenness is not a private sin. It harms marriages, children, friendships and churches. It makes promises a person cannot keep. It puts others in danger.

And it is a form of self-deception. A person who is drunk is not in command of himself, and yet the drink promises freedom. It is a false god, and like all false gods it takes more than it gives.

Is it a sin to drink at all, or only to get drunk?

Only to get drunk, if we are speaking of what Scripture commands. The sin is not the sip; it is the loss of self-control, the surrender of your judgment to a substance, and the harm that follows. A person can drink a glass of wine with a meal and never sin. A person can also drink one glass and sin, if that glass is the beginning of a pattern of escape, or if it causes a weaker brother to stumble.

The question is not only “how much” but “why.” Are you drinking to enjoy God’s good gifts with thanksgiving, or are you drinking to numb something? Are you drinking in freedom, or are you drinking because you cannot stop? Those are the questions worth asking honestly.

What if I am already caught in this?

Then the gospel is for you, not against you. First John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That promise does not have a list of exceptions. Drunkenness is included.

Confession means agreeing with God about what it is. Not “I drink a bit too much sometimes,” but “this is sin, and I have done it.” That honesty is hard, but it is the doorway to freedom. You do not have to clean yourself up first. You come as you are, and God receives you because of Christ.

If your drinking has a hold on you that you cannot break by willpower, that is not a reason to hide. It is a reason to get help. Speak to a pastor or a trusted believer in person. See a doctor or a licensed counsellor. There is no shame in that; there is only shame in staying trapped when help is available. First Corinthians 10:13 promises that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and that He will provide a way out. Often that way out has a face: a person who will walk with you.

How do I take the next step?

Start with Scripture and prayer. Read Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, where David confesses sin and finds mercy. Read Romans 8, where Paul says there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Pray honestly. Tell God the truth about your drinking, and ask Him for both forgiveness and change.

Then bring it into the light with another believer. James 5:16 says to confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. That verse is not a suggestion. Sin grows in secrecy and shrinks in the light.

And stay close to a local church. Not a perfect one, because there are none. But a body of believers where you can be known, prayed for, and held accountable. If you have harmed someone while drinking, make it right where you can. Apologise. Repay what you owe. That is part of repentance, and it is good for your soul.

If you are in crisis, or if you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out now. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number.

Drunkenness is sin, and it is serious. But it is not beyond the reach of the cross. The same Saviour who died for liars and thieves died for drunkards, and He does not turn away anyone who comes to Him.

Questions people ask

Is it a sin to drink alcohol at all?

No, Scripture does not forbid drinking alcohol in itself. Jesus made wine at Cana, and Paul told Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach. The sin is drunkenness, not the moderate use of alcohol. Many Christians choose to abstain entirely for reasons of conscience or to protect others, and that is also a faithful choice.

Can a Christian get drunk and still be saved?

Scripture says drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). That does not mean a single failure ends your salvation, but it does mean that a settled pattern of drunkenness is incompatible with genuine faith. If you are caught in it, the call is to repent and turn to Christ, who forgives.

What should I do if I cannot stop drinking?

First, tell God the truth and ask for His help. Then tell a pastor or a trusted believer in person. If your drinking has a physical or psychological hold on you, see a doctor or a licensed counsellor. You do not have to fight this alone, and getting help is not a lack of faith.

Does the Bible say getting drunk is a sin?

Yes. Ephesians 5:18 commands believers not to be drunk with wine. Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 all list drunkenness as sin. The Bible treats it as a work of the flesh, not a minor weakness.