What does the Bible say about alcohol consumption? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol?

The Bible contains strong warnings about the danger of alcohol when it leads to drunkenness and loss of control (Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29–35). The direct command for the Christian is: do not get drunk (Ephesians 5:18) and do not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

At the same time, the Bible does not present alcohol as inherently bad in all cases; there are texts where wine is mentioned in normal contexts (Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7). Jesus even turned water into wine (John 2:1–11), and Paul recommended that Timothy use a little wine for health reasons (1 Timothy 5:23).

So the issue is not "does alcohol exist?" but: is there self-control, wisdom, testimony, and care for a brother? (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13; 1 Corinthians 10:31–33). If it causes stumbling, masters you, or draws you toward sin, the believer should abstain.