Around the world, people have different opinions about alcohol. Some enjoy sharing an occasional drink with friends. Others choose not to drink at all. Still others drink to the point of getting drunk. What is the Bible’s view of alcohol?

1. Is it wrong to drink alcoholic beverages?

The Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol. On the contrary, when listing many gifts that God has given us, the Bible includes “wine that makes man’s heart rejoice.” (Psalm 104:14, 15) Some faithful men and women mentioned in the Bible drank alcoholic beverages.​—1 Timothy 5:23.

2. What advice does the Bible give to those who choose to drink?

Jehovah condemns heavy drinking and drunkenness. (Galatians 5:21) His Word says: “Do not be among those who drink too much wine.” (Proverbs 23:20) So if we choose to drink​—even in private—​we should not drink so much that we cannot think clearly, control our speech and actions, or maintain our physical health. If we cannot control our drinking, we should be willing to stop drinking altogether.

3. How can we respect the decisions of others regarding alcohol?

Each person must decide whether to drink alcoholic beverages. We should not judge someone who chooses to drink alcohol in moderation, and we should not pressure someone to drink who does not want to. (Romans 14:10) We choose not to drink if our drinking could cause problems for others. (Read Romans 14:21.) We seek “not [our] own advantage, but that of the other person.”​—Read 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24.

DIG DEEPER

4. Decide whether you will drink

How did Jesus view drinking alcohol? To learn the answer, consider the first miracle that he performed. Read John 2:1-11, and then discuss these questions:

• From this miracle, what can we learn about Jesus’ view of alcohol and those who drink it?

• Since Jesus did not condemn drinking alcohol, how should a Christian view someone who chooses to drink?

However, just because a Christian is free to drink alcohol, this does not mean that it is always wise for him to do so. Read Proverbs 22:3, and then consider how the following factors might influence whether you will drink:

• You are going to drive or operate machinery.

• You are pregnant.

• A doctor has advised you not to drink alcohol.

• You have trouble controlling the amount you drink.

• The law does not allow you to drink alcohol.

• You are with someone who chooses to abstain because he has had trouble controlling his drinking in the past.

Should you serve alcohol at wedding receptions or other social gatherings? To see what can help you decide, play the VIDEO.

VIDEO: Should I Serve Alcohol? (2:41)

Read Romans 13:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31, 32. After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

• How can applying this principle help you to make a decision that will please Jehovah?

5. Decide how much you will drink

If you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, remember this: While Jehovah does not condemn the drinking of alcohol, he does condemn overdrinking. Why? Read Hosea 4:11, 18, and then discuss this question:

• What can happen when a person drinks too much?

How can we avoid drinking too much? We need to be modest, or aware of our limitations. Read Proverbs 11:2, and then discuss this question:

• Why is it a good idea to set a definite limit on how much you will drink?

6. Overcome the misuse of alcohol

VIDEO: ‘I Got Fed Up With My Lifestyle’ (6:32)

• In the video, how did alcohol affect the way Dmitry acted?

• Was he able to stop drinking right away?

• How was he finally able to break his addiction to alcohol?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:10, 11, and then discuss these questions:

• How serious is drunkenness?

• What shows that someone who misuses alcohol can change?

Read Matthew 5:30, and then discuss this question:

• Cutting off a hand illustrates making sacrifices to please Jehovah. What can you do if you are struggling to overcome the misuse of alcohol?a

Read 1 Corinthians 15:33, and then discuss this question:

• What effect can your friends have on how much you drink?

SUMMARY

Jehovah provided alcohol for our enjoyment, but he condemns overdrinking and drunkenness.

Review

• What is the Bible’s view of alcohol?

• What are the dangers of drinking too much?

• How can we respect the decisions others make regarding drinking?

EXPLORE

How can teenagers make good choices about alcohol?

Think Past the Drink (2:31)

Discover the steps you can take to overcome a drinking problem.

“Keeping Alcohol in Its Place” (The Watchtower, January 1, 2010)

Should a Christian share in toasting?

“Questions From Readers” (The Watchtower, February 15, 2007)

In the story “I Was a Bottomless Barrel,” see how a man gave up binge drinking.

“The Bible Changes Lives” (The Watchtower, May 1, 2012)

We all have preferences about how we want to dress and groom ourselves. If we follow a few simple Bible principles, we can not only express our personal taste but also please Jehovah. Let us consider some of those principles.

1. What principles should guide our choices in dress and grooming?

We should choose “appropriate dress, with modesty and soundness of mind,” and maintain a clean appearance that reflects our “devotion to God.” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) Consider these four principles: (1) Our dress should be “appropriate.” As you have observed at congregation meetings, Jehovah’s people have different tastes, but our dress and hairstyles show respect for the God we worship. (2) Dressing “with modesty” means our appearance would not be sexually provocative, nor should it draw too much attention to ourselves. (3) We show “soundness of mind” when we do not adopt every fad of dress and grooming that comes along. (4) Our appearance should always reflect our “devotion to God,” indicating to others that we worship the true God.​—1 Corinthians 10:31.

2. How can our appearance affect our fellow believers?

While we have the freedom to choose what we wear, we should think of the effect our appearance might have on others. We try our best not to offend anyone but, rather, to “please [our] neighbor for his good, to build him up.”​—Read Romans 15:1, 2.

3. How can our appearance attract others to true worship?

While we try to dress appropriately on every occasion, we pay particular attention to our dress when we attend congregation meetings and share in the ministry. We do not want to detract from the important message we are taking to people. Instead, our appearance can make the truth attractive to others and “adorn the teaching of our Savior.”​—Titus 2:10.

DIG DEEPER

4. A good appearance shows respect for Jehovah

What is the most important reason for us to care about our appearance? Read Psalm 47:2, and then discuss these questions:

• How should the fact that we represent Jehovah affect the way we dress?

• Do you think it is reasonable to be concerned about our appearance when we attend meetings and share in the ministry? Why, or why not?

5. How to make good choices about dress and grooming

Play the VIDEO.

VIDEO: “Do All Things for God’s Glory” (10:18)

Whether our clothes are expensive or cost little, they should be clean and appropriate for the specific situations we find ourselves in. Read 1 Corinthians 10:24 and 1 Timothy 2:9, 10. Then, discuss why we would want to avoid wearing clothing that is . . .

• sloppy or overly casual.

• tight-fitting, revealing, or otherwise sexually provocative.

Although Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, it reveals Jehovah’s thinking. Read Deuteronomy 22:5, and then discuss this question:

• Why should we avoid dress and grooming that makes men look like women or women look like men?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33 and 1 John 2:15, 16, and then discuss these questions:

• Why should we care whether our appearance offends some in the community or in the congregation?

• What styles of dress and grooming are common where you live?

• Do you think some of those styles might be inappropriate for a Christian? Why, or why not?

SUMMARY

When we make good choices about our appearance, we show our respect for Jehovah and for others.

Review

• Why is our dress and grooming important to Jehovah?

• What are some principles that should guide our decisions about our appearance?

• How can our appearance affect the way others view true worship?

EXPLORE

See what message your clothes might be sending.

“How Do I Look?” (Web article)

Learn why it is wise to think before you ink.

“What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?” (Web article)

Consider additional principles that can guide our decisions.

“Does Your Style of Dress Glorify God?” (The Watchtower, September 2016)

How did one sincere woman develop a balanced view of others’ choices about personal appearance?

“Dress and Grooming Was My Stumbling Block” (Awake!, December 22, 2003)