Texas Pastor Ed Young Opens Beer on Stage to Preach Powerful Message on Alcohol
The subject of alcohol is one that tends to be a hot-button topic among many Christians. Some would say that there’s nothing wrong with imbibing, while others would strenuously disagree. Part of the challenge is that alcohol has the potential to destroy lives, families, careers, and bank accounts. As of 2023, there were 28.9 million people ages 12 and older who struggled with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. That being said, not every case is severe. AUD can range from mild to severe, depending on a person’s symptoms, according to Medlineplus.gov.
Not Everyone Struggles with Alcohol
Not everyone struggles with keeping their drinking under control. And some would argue that there are plenty of places in the Bible that indicate that drinking in moderation is perfectly fine. The problem is when a person allows their drinking to impact their judgment, behavior, or ability to function physically.
Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, seized this controversial topic during a recent Sunday church service. He opened in a rather memorable way, according to Church Leaders News. He took to the platform with a six-pack of beer and a mug in hand. Then he placed the beer and mug on the pulpit, cracked open a can, and poured it into the mug. His eyes scanned the congregation, where he said he observed mostly shock. Then he jokingly commented, “Ed, why don’t you drink the beer? Your sermon will be much better.”
The megachurch pastor and New York Times bestselling author was keenly aware that he was speaking to a very diverse group of people with varying life experiences and opinions on Christians and drinking. Young doesn’t take the potential for struggling with alcohol lightly. His church offers many recovery and support groups, one of which is a 12-step addiction recovery program.
What the Bible Says about Alcohol
Nevertheless, he was quick to tell the congregation that there’s nothing wrong with drinking as long as people don’t get drunk.
“The Bible does give us liberty—freedom—regarding consuming beverage alcohol,” he said, but he also pointed out that the Bible says people aren’t supposed to drink to excess; rather, they are supposed to be “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
The idea he was getting was that people are supposed to be controlled by the Holy Spirit rather than alcohol or any other type of drug. He challenged the congregation to consider, “What and who are you filling your life with?”
Young went on to borrow from theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem to add clarity to what was meant by being drunk: “a loss of good judgment, impaired thinking, diminished moral restraint, actions that harm personal or gospel reputation, compromised physical condition.”
He also noted that the Bible isn’t against people drinking responsibly. He referenced Psalm 104:14-15, which speaks to “…wine that makes glad the heart of man,” and Young also pointed out that the first miracle Jesus did involved turning water into wine for a wedding feast.
Certainly, people need to determine for themselves whether or not they should drink. People who have a history of alcoholism or grew up in a family with an alcoholic may not want to drink or even be around alcohol. Young encouraged people to pray and decide how God’s Holy Spirit is leading them in their decision-making.
WATCH: Can Christians Drink? | A Biblical Perspective on Alcohol | Ed Young
Related Article: What Does the Bible Say about Drinking Alcohol?
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Ed Young
Originally published April 01, 2025.
