This Proverb says, “Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” I think the keyword in this passage is ‘intoxicated.’ The Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol such as wine. However, the Bible does say, “Be not drunk with wine; rather be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
I don’t believe that it is wrong to drink wine in moderation. However, becoming drunk lowers our resistance to temptation and sin. A person who becomes drunk makes bad decisions. When one makes bad decisions, bad things happen to the individual. Tragically, bad things also happen to others. For example, excessive alcohol use can lead to a failed marriage.
Some churches teach that any alcohol use is wrong. However, the founder of Christianity, Jesus, drank wine during His life on the Earth. The wine Jesus drank did contain alcohol. This was evidenced by His miracle at the wedding in Cana where He turned water into wine. The presence of alcohol was evidenced by the wine steward’s comments.
So, then, moderation is the key. That may mean one or two glasses of wine with dinner. Drinking more may well lead to intoxication. Being intoxicated is not a wise thing for anyone to do.
