Drunkenness has been a concern addressed throughout the Scriptures, highlighting both its spiritual and social consequences. The Bible verses about drunkeness consistently warns against overindulgence in wine or strong drink, portraying it as a path that can cloud judgment, provoke sin, and distance individuals from God’s wisdom. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God calls His people to live disciplined lives, exercising self-control and honoring their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
Alcohol itself is not inherently evil, but the abuse of it, leading to drunkenness, is condemned because it diminishes our ability to think clearly, make righteous choices, and serve God faithfully. Biblical figures like Noah, Lot, and others show the dangers of succumbing to excessive drinking, demonstrating how it can lead to personal shame, relational harm, and even spiritual failure. God desires His children to live in sobriety, alertness, and moral clarity.
Moreover, drunkenness often symbolizes lack of self-control and vulnerability to temptation in Scripture. Proverbs frequently contrasts the disciplined life with the folly of overindulgence, emphasizing that wisdom, moderation, and obedience to God are key to a fruitful life. The New Testament continues this call, urging believers to avoid anything that might enslave or compromise their witness. By studying these verses, we gain practical insight into God’s heart concerning temperance and holiness.
This collection of 35 Bible verses provides not only warnings but also guidance, encouragement, and principles for resisting the pull of drunkenness. Each verse underscores the spiritual, emotional, and relational dangers associated with overindulgence while offering a reminder that God equips us with self-control through His Spirit. By meditating on these Scriptures, believers can cultivate a lifestyle of sobriety, discernment, and godly wisdom, remaining steadfast in their devotion and testimony.
35 Powerful Bible Verses About Drunkenness in 2025
1. Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
This verse warns that alcohol can deceive the mind, leading to foolish decisions and reckless behavior. Drinking in excess is not only physically impairing but spiritually blinding. The “mocker” highlights how wine can trick someone into false confidence or poor judgment. God calls for wisdom and discernment, encouraging believers to avoid anything that clouds their understanding or tempts them into sin. Sobriety is essential for a life that honors Him.
2. Ephesians 5:18
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
Paul contrasts drunkenness with being filled with the Holy Spirit, highlighting the danger of overindulgence. Alcohol in excess diminishes spiritual sensitivity, while the Spirit empowers self-control, discernment, and godly living. This verse reminds believers that a Spirit-filled life surpasses temporary pleasures, offering lasting joy and divine guidance. God desires His people to live in freedom, not under the bondage of any substance.
3. Proverbs 23:20-21
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.”
Proverbs warns against habitual indulgence in wine and food, linking it to spiritual, relational, and material decline. Drunkenness often leads to laziness, poor decision-making, and moral compromise. By avoiding excessive drinking, believers protect themselves from shame, conflict, and loss. God calls His people to moderation, responsibility, and integrity, ensuring their lives reflect His wisdom and provision.
4. Isaiah 5:11
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
Isaiah condemns the habitual pursuit of intoxication, describing those who center their lives around drinking. This verse illustrates the spiritual and moral danger of making alcohol a priority over God. Persistent drunkenness fosters dependence, distraction, and moral decay. God desires that our time, energy, and devotion be invested in righteous living, fruitful service, and godly relationships, not in substances that enslave.
5. 1 Peter 4:3
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.”
Peter reminds believers that former indulgent lifestyles, including drunkenness, are incompatible with the new life in Christ. Drunkenness is grouped with other sinful practices, emphasizing its role in worldly and ungodly behavior. Followers of Jesus are called to leave behind excesses that hinder spiritual growth. Sobriety is an expression of obedience and a reflection of the transformed heart that Christ brings.
6. Proverbs 23:29-30
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”
This passage highlights the personal consequences of excessive drinking. Those who linger over wine often experience physical, emotional, and relational distress. Red eyes symbolize sleepless nights, while contentions reflect damaged relationships. God warns that overindulgence leads to unnecessary pain and conflict. By practicing moderation or abstinence, believers can maintain clarity of mind, healthy relationships, and a strong witness for God, avoiding the pitfalls of habitual drunkenness.
7. Galatians 5:21
“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Drunkenness is listed among behaviors incompatible with inheriting God’s kingdom. This verse emphasizes that habitual indulgence in alcohol can lead to destructive patterns and spiritual consequences. Believers are called to live by the Spirit, displaying fruits like love, self-control, and peace. Choosing sobriety and self-discipline honors God, protects relationships, and ensures a life aligned with His eternal purposes. Drunkenness hinders spiritual growth and fellowship with God.
8. 1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul clearly warns that drunkenness is a sin that can prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God. Persistent indulgence reflects a life dominated by fleshly desires rather than spiritual discernment. Christians are called to purity, integrity, and self-control, living in alignment with God’s will. Avoiding drunkenness is not legalism but a path to spiritual freedom, enabling believers to grow in faith, maintain accountability, and cultivate godly character.
9. Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”
This passage warns leaders about the dangers of intoxication. Drunkenness impairs judgment and can lead to injustice and corruption. God calls for clarity, wisdom, and responsibility, especially for those in authority. Leaders must exercise restraint to govern righteously. For all believers, the principle is the same: overindulgence compromises discernment and decision-making. Sobriety enables obedience, justice, and sound counsel in every sphere of life.
10. Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
Habakkuk condemns those who entice others into drunkenness for personal gain or harm. This verse highlights that leading others into sin is sinful in itself. Drunkenness is not only a personal danger but can be a tool for exploitation. Believers are called to protect and encourage righteousness in others, avoiding activities that promote indulgence or vulnerability. Sobriety safeguards both personal integrity and the wellbeing of others in the community.
11. Isaiah 28:7
“But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”
Isaiah highlights that even spiritual leaders can fall into error through alcohol. Drunkenness clouds judgment, distorts perception, and hinders spiritual insight. God warns that no one is exempt from the consequences of overindulgence. Believers are called to vigilance and sobriety, ensuring their decisions are guided by wisdom, discernment, and the Holy Spirit, rather than impaired judgment caused by strong drink.
12. Luke 21:34
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
Jesus warns that drunkenness can distract believers from spiritual readiness. Overindulgence leads to negligence, preventing vigilance and preparedness for God’s work. Drunkenness dulls spiritual perception, leaving hearts unprepared for challenges and divine opportunities. By practicing sobriety and self-discipline, Christians maintain alertness, wisdom, and a readiness to respond to God’s calling, living a life aligned with His timing and purpose.
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
Paul contrasts drunkenness with spiritual sobriety, linking it to vigilance and protection against spiritual danger. Sobriety enables believers to live faithfully, equipped with faith, love, and hope. Overindulgence in alcohol weakens spiritual armor and blinds the heart to God’s work. Being sober in spirit and body allows Christians to respond to challenges, resist temptation, and maintain a lifestyle that glorifies God.
14. Proverbs 23:31-32
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”
This vivid imagery shows how wine can appear harmless or attractive but ultimately causes harm. Drunkenness begins subtly, often underestimating its danger. God warns that overindulgence can wound both body and spirit. Believers are called to discernment, avoiding anything that entices temporarily but causes lasting damage. Sobriety safeguards wisdom, health, and spiritual integrity, preventing the hidden snares of alcohol.
15. Romans 13:13
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
Paul urges believers to live transparently and honorably. Drunkenness is linked to reckless and immoral behavior, contrasting with a life of integrity. God calls His people to live uprightly, modeling Christ-like character in thought, word, and deed. Avoiding excessive drinking ensures that actions remain consistent with faith, preserving reputation, relationships, and spiritual witness in the world.
16. 1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Paul instructs the church to separate from those who persist in drunkenness alongside other sins. Habitual drunkenness is a sign of spiritual compromise and rebellion. Christians are called to accountability and godly fellowship. By avoiding ongoing associations with those trapped in drunkenness, believers protect their spiritual health, encourage repentance, and promote a community that honors God.
17. Proverbs 21:17
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
This verse links excessive indulgence in wine with spiritual and material poverty. Drunkenness can lead to poor choices, squandered resources, and loss of opportunity. God calls His people to balance, diligence, and self-control. Avoiding overindulgence allows believers to steward their resources wisely, enjoy prosperity, and focus on eternal rewards rather than fleeting pleasures.
18. Habakkuk 2:16
“Thou art filled with shame instead of glory: drink thou also, and be drunken with thy shame: the cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be upon thy glory.”
Habakkuk warns that drunkenness brings disgrace and spiritual vulnerability. Overindulgence replaces honor with shame, affecting both personal and communal reputation. God desires His people to live with dignity, self-control, and purpose. Sobriety preserves character, protects testimony, and ensures that glory remains with Him rather than being squandered through indulgent or shameful habits.
19. Proverbs 23:19
“Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.”
While not explicitly mentioning alcohol, this verse provides overarching wisdom: guide your heart in the right path. Drunkenness often leads to a lack of guidance and poor decision-making. By exercising discernment and self-control, believers avoid harmful excess and maintain a life of wisdom, righteousness, and obedience to God’s direction. Sobriety enables intentional living aligned with divine purpose.
20. Deuteronomy 21:20
“And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.”
Even in ancient Israel, habitual drunkenness was considered a serious behavioral issue. This verse associates drunkenness with rebellion, stubbornness, and societal disruption. God calls for discipline, self-control, and accountability. Recognizing the danger of habitual overindulgence, believers are encouraged to cultivate temperance, ensuring that both their spiritual and social lives reflect God’s standards and honor.
21. Proverbs 23:33
“Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.”
Overindulgence in alcohol can cloud judgment and weaken moral restraint. Proverbs warns that drunkenness leads to lustful thoughts, impaired decision-making, and sinful behavior. God calls His people to vigilance and sobriety, maintaining purity of heart and integrity in conduct. By avoiding excess, believers protect themselves from temptation and ensure their actions align with His will.
22. 1 Corinthians 15:33
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Excessive drinking often occurs in social contexts that promote ungodly behavior. Paul warns that associating with those who indulge in sin, including drunkenness, can lead to moral compromise. God calls believers to wise associations and accountability. Sobriety and prudent fellowship help maintain spiritual discipline, good conduct, and a witness that glorifies God rather than succumbing to peer influence.
23. Micah 2:11
“If a man walking in the spirit with falsehood, and deceiveth his neighbor, saying, Drink, and be drunk: shall not he thereby make him a mocker?”
Micah highlights how drunkenness can be used to manipulate and exploit others. Overindulgence leads to vulnerability, ridicule, and harm. God warns against both personal excess and influencing others into sin. Believers are called to live responsibly, resisting habits that compromise integrity and inviting others to sobriety, wisdom, and righteousness.
24. Proverbs 31:6-7
“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”
While wine can offer temporary relief, Scripture emphasizes that habitual drunkenness is harmful. Proverbs acknowledges wine’s use in moderation for pain or sorrow but not for indulgence. God calls believers to trust Him for comfort, rather than seeking escape through alcohol. True peace comes from the Spirit, not from overindulgence, ensuring emotional and spiritual stability.
25. Proverbs 23:35
“They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”
This verse poetically illustrates the numbing effect of excessive drinking. Drunkenness can dull awareness of danger, sin, and consequence. God calls His people to clarity and vigilance. Sobriety allows the believer to face reality, make wise decisions, and avoid repeated harm caused by ignoring consequences, maintaining a life of discernment and spiritual awareness.
26. Luke 1:15
“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”
John the Baptist’s life demonstrates that abstaining from alcohol allows for full spiritual empowerment. God chose him to serve as a prophet while sober and Spirit-filled. Sobriety can be a tool for spiritual clarity, discipline, and readiness to serve God effectively. Believers are encouraged to live self-controlled lives, relying on the Holy Spirit rather than intoxicants for strength and guidance.
27. Romans 14:21
“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”
Paul encourages believers to consider the impact of their actions on others. Drinking, especially to excess, can cause others to stumble spiritually. God calls for love, sensitivity, and self-restraint. Sobriety protects personal integrity and strengthens the community, ensuring that our habits do not hinder others’ faith or invite unnecessary offense.
28. 1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Peter links sobriety with spiritual readiness against temptation. Drunkenness dulls vigilance, leaving believers vulnerable to Satan’s schemes. God calls for alertness, discipline, and self-control. Living soberly strengthens spiritual defenses, sharpens discernment, and equips the believer to resist evil and remain steadfast in faith, fully aware of the spiritual battle surrounding them.
29. Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
This verse reminds believers that alcohol can mislead, creating false confidence or impaired judgment. Drunkenness deceives the mind, fostering decisions that contradict wisdom and spiritual principles. God calls for discernment, temperance, and mindfulness in all actions. Choosing sobriety ensures clarity of thought, wise decision-making, and alignment with His will, avoiding the pitfalls of deception caused by excess.
30. Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
Habakkuk warns against leading others into sin through alcohol. Habitual drunkenness can harm relationships, exploit vulnerability, and cause shame. God calls believers to responsibility, safeguarding others from temptation. Living soberly models integrity, protects the weak, and demonstrates a godly lifestyle. Avoiding excess is both a personal and communal spiritual discipline.
31. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Believers are called to honor God in every action, including drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption dishonors God, while moderation and sobriety demonstrate obedience, self-control, and discernment. Living intentionally ensures that daily choices, including those involving food and drink, reflect a heart devoted to God’s glory, rather than being dominated by worldly indulgence.
32. Ephesians 5:15-16
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Drunkenness wastes time, clouds judgment, and diminishes productivity. God calls for careful living, making wise use of opportunities and talents. Sobriety allows believers to walk circumspectly, exercise discernment, and fulfill their divine purposes. Choosing wisdom over excess ensures that life is lived intentionally, avoiding the folly and wasted potential associated with drunkenness.
33. Proverbs 31:4-5
“It is not for kings to drink wine… lest they forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”
Leaders, like all believers, must exercise self-control to prevent compromised judgment. Drunkenness clouds wisdom and justice. God calls for integrity, clarity, and discernment, especially in decision-making roles. Sobriety safeguards responsibility, ensuring that one’s authority and influence reflect godly principles rather than the impaired judgment caused by excess.
34. Isaiah 24:9
“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”
This verse emphasizes that judgment or chaos renders drinking bitter, demonstrating alcohol’s inability to bring lasting satisfaction. God reminds believers that true joy, peace, and fulfillment come from Him, not temporary indulgence. Sobriety aligns the heart with divine contentment, steering away from fleeting pleasures that ultimately disappoint.
35. Proverbs 4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Controlling one’s desires, including for alcohol, protects the heart and mind. Drunkenness can distort priorities and lead to moral failure. God calls believers to guard their hearts, cultivating discipline and wisdom. Sobriety is a manifestation of this vigilance, ensuring that every action, thought, and choice flows from a heart aligned with His will.
Conclusion
Drunkenness is not merely a physical indulgence but a spiritual and moral concern addressed repeatedly in Scripture. From Proverbs to the letters of Paul and Peter, God calls believers to exercise self-control, avoiding behaviors that compromise judgment, relationships, and witness. Excessive drinking can lead to deception, folly, and vulnerability to sin, distancing us from God’s plan. Sobriety aligns with wisdom, holiness, and His best for our lives.
Avoiding drunkenness involves more than abstaining from alcohol it is about embracing a Spirit-filled life. The Bible encourages replacing worldly indulgences with prayer, fellowship, service, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Sobriety fosters clarity of thought, strengthens character, and sharpens discernment. It equips Christians to live responsibly, protect their testimony, and glorify God in every aspect of life.
Ultimately, God desires His children to live intentionally, choosing paths that honor Him rather than enslave them. These 35 powerful verses provide guidance, encouragement, and a framework for cultivating self-control. By meditating on Scripture, seeking God’s strength, and practicing moderation, believers can live in freedom, joy, and spiritual clarity. Let these verses serve as both warning and inspiration to pursue holiness, reflect God’s love, and remain steadfast in faith, avoiding the snares of drunkenness.
