Those who seek to justify the non-medicinal use of alcohol, "social drinking" included, will often appeal Jesus' first miracle (Jn. 2:1-11). They will say something like, "Drinking alcohol in moderation must be okay because Jesus turned water into wine." Did Jesus really make wine from which people could get drunk? When the evidence is examined, the answer is clear: Jesus could not possibly have made intoxicating wine at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, or at any other time. This sure answer rests upon the following truths.

First, Jesus was completely sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). If Jesus were to provide alcohol by which others could become intoxicated, He would have sinned. The Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, said long ago, "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!" (Hab. 2:15). Some might respond by saying that Habakkuk is only speaking against those who get others drunk so they can look on their nakedness. Not only does such "reasoning" say it is okay to get others drunk as long as it is not for the purpose of looking on their nakedness, it also ignores other passages that warn of the dangers of alcohol (Pr. 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4-5; Isa. 28:7; Eph. 5:18).

Second, in both Old and New Testaments, the original language words that are translated "wine" simply refer to the juice of the grape. The context must determine whether these words refer to fresh or fermented grape juice; harmless or intoxicating wine. "Wine" in the Bible can even refer to the grape itself (Isa. 65:8). However, in our culture, "wine" almost exclusively refers to an intoxicating beverage. We are greatly mistaken when we read our twenty-first century perspective back into the Biblical time period!

Third, the non-medicinal consumption of intoxicating wine destroys the soul. Peter says that we must "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11). Is drinking intoxicating beverages a "fleshly lust"? Does it "war against the soul"? The answers to both of these questions are obvious! Therefore, we must abstain from the non-medicinal consumption of alcohol, "social drinking" included! Only a twisted, unbiblical view of Jesus would have Him making a means by which men's souls are destroyed.