“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15)
Whether or not the Bible clearly commands total abstinence from alcohol for Christians, it is increasingly being recognized that alcohol is the most widely abused and dangerous drug of all – causing more fatal accidents and injuries, more destroyed families, more sexual promiscuity, more job absenteeism, and more disease than any other drug. Yet it is widely promoted socially and increasingly is being accepted even among evangelical Christians.
The example of John the Baptist is worth considering. The angel Gabriel testified that he would be “great in the sight of the Lord” and then added that he would “drink neither wine nor strong drink,” implying a connection between the two. Indeed, Christ called John the greatest man who had ever lived up to that time (Matthew 11:11) – that is, greater than even Abraham, Moses, or Daniel!
Our verse continues saying that John would “be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb,” and he is the only man of whom that was ever said.
There seems to be a connection in these verses, for no one could simultaneously drink wine or strong drink and also be filled with the Spirit. The apostle Paul also warned concerning this conflict when he said: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation may or may not be permissible, but that does not make it correct. “I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial.” And Paul continues: ““I have the right to do anything”- but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12). So here we see that Paul would not subject himself to be mastered by anything.
At least in John the Baptist’s case, being great in God’s sight and being filled with the Spirit were closely associated with abstinence from alcohol.
The Holy Spirit tells us through the apostle Peter: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Let us consider one more thing. God our Father is the author of the Holy Scriptures by inspiration to His prophets, therefore let us read what He says in His Holy Word:
Proverbs 31:4-5 reads: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.”
Habakkuk 2:15 affirms: “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor…”
It is our Lord the King of kings that had these inspired words written through the Holy Spirit, so how can we even assume that Jesus drank wine (alcohol) or gave others wine to drink, if He is the greatest King that ever lived? We are to follow Jesus’ example by abstaining from wine (alcohol), since He refers to us as a holy priesthood unto God. Yes, Jesus drank the fruit of the vine, but it was pure unfermented grape juice. He said: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18)
Remember: “… drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God…. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:21, 24)
Excerpts taken from the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) – Dr. Henry H. Morris
Mission Venture Ministries 
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