Wine and beer are two different drinks. While beer is not mentioned in the Bible, wine is mentioned many times. The first time we read of wine in is Genesis 9:20-21 where we read, “And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” There was not only the USE of wine here, there was the ABUSE of wine.

You mentioned that Jesus changed water into wine. We read of that in John 2:1-10. Jesus was at a wedding, and when the wine ran out, the Lord made more. I encourage you to read that portion. John 2:11 tells us, “This BEGINNING OF MIRACLES did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” The first miracle the Lord Jesus performed while living on earth was turning water into wine. We read that the Lord Jesus, Himself, drank wine. Luke 7:33-34 says, “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”

It’s no surprise that John the Baptist did not drink wine. The angel of the Lord told Zacharias, while announcing his upcoming birth, “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.” (Luke 1:15). Notice that John would not drink ‘wine’ or ‘strong drink. The Greek word for wine (oinos) literally means “wine”. The Greek word for strong drink (sikera) literally means “intensely fermented liquor.” You can readily see the difference in wine and strong drink.

Because he did not drink, John was accused of being possessed of a demon. The Lord Jesus drank wine and was accused of being a drunkard. What do the scriptures teach about drinking wine? We read in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” There is a direct link between wine and the Spirit. If we are drunk with wine, the Spirit cannot control us. If we are controlled by the Spirit, we will not let wine control us. This aligns with the biblical instruction against being drunk.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.” This teaches us that the Lord does not want our minds to be clouded with alcohol. While it comes short of condemning drinking wine, it does condemn drunkenness.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” While all believers are INDWELT with the Holy Spirit (Read Romans 8:9), we are not all FILLED with the Holy Spirit. This comes when we completely set aside our own wills and allow the Lord to guide us. You may say, “I’m not drunk with wine, therefore I am doing the Lord’s will.” Yes, but that’s only half of the directive. We are told to be filled with the Spirit, that is, to allow the Spirit complete control over our lives. We read in Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” When we live our lives according to the leading of God’s spirit, we will not follow the urging of our flesh to satisfy its lustful desires. We are exhorted in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (306.5)