Why Christians Are Embracing the Sober Curious Movement
In a culture where wine nights and happy hours are part of everyday life—even within church circles—a growing number of Christians are starting to ask a deeper question: What role should alcohol really play in my life?
This question is at the heart of the sober curious movement, a cultural shift that encourages people to examine their relationship with alcohol—not necessarily because they have a problem with it, but because they want to live more intentionally, more present, and more aligned with their values.
For many Christians, these questions are taking on spiritual significance. And what’s emerging is a grace-filled, judgment-free approach to alcohol that emphasizes freedom, not fear.
What Is the Sober Curious Movement?
Coined by author Ruby Warrington, the phrase "sober curious" refers to a growing trend of people choosing to take a break from alcohol—or walk away from it entirely—not out of crisis or addiction, but out of curiosity, clarity, and care. It's not about shame. It’s about pausing to ask:
Why do I drink? Do I like how it affects me? And what might life look like without it?
This movement is often rooted in a desire for mental clarity, emotional wellness, and spiritual depth. And increasingly, Christian women are finding that these questions go hand-in-hand with their walk with God.
Alcohol and Christian Culture: A Complicated Relationship
Christian theology and alcohol have always been held in delicate tension. On one hand, Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding (John 2), and Paul encouraged Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). On the other hand, Scripture clearly warns against drunkenness, excess, and allowing anything to master us (Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 6:12).
Today, many Christian communities embrace a cultural norm of "moderation." But that approach doesn’t always work for everyone—and for some, it masks a deeper internal conflict.
This tension is thoughtfully explored in the podcast But Jesus Drank Wine, hosted by two Christian women who share their experiences of walking away from alcohol after years of nightly over-drinking. Through honest, compassionate conversations, they examine the stories and beliefs—both spiritual and societal—that kept them stuck, including the frequent fallback: “But Jesus drank wine.”
Rather than offering rigid answers, the podcast gently challenges assumptions and invites listeners into reflection. One particularly impactful episode dives into the topic of moderation, asking whether it's actually helpful for people who find themselves relying on alcohol emotionally or spiritually. These conversations come not from a place of legalism or judgment, but from a deep desire for wholeness, freedom, and faithfulness.
Why More Christians Are Becoming Sober Curious
1. Spiritual Clarity and Presence
For many Christians, the decision to stop drinking—or to take a break from it—isn’t about following a rule. It’s about opening up space to hear from God more clearly. Alcohol may not be a sin, but it can become a spiritual distraction, numbing our ability to feel, respond, and grow.
As Christy Osborne writes in Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast, “When you remove alcohol, you don’t just make space for sobriety—you make space for God.” For those who’ve spent years numbing stress, grief, or even boredom with wine, that space can feel unfamiliar at first—but also full of possibility.
In this way, a temporary fast from alcohol becomes more than just a wellness decision—it becomes a spiritual reawakening. One that allows for deeper prayer, more emotional honesty, and a renewed sense of God’s presence in daily life.
2. Emotional and Mental Wellness
Many people use alcohol to "take the edge off," especially in seasons of stress or anxiety. But more and more research—and real-life experience—shows that alcohol often amplifies anxiety, disrupts sleep, and dulls emotional resilience over time.
Christians who are sober curious are recognizing that stewardship of their mental health is part of their spiritual responsibility. As we’re called to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), that also means taking honest stock of what helps us thrive—and what might be quietly holding us back.
3. Freedom Over Conformity
Romans 12:2 urges believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. For many Christians, choosing not to drink isn’t about control—it’s about choosing a different kind of freedom.
Sober curiosity can be a quiet form of resistance against a culture that equates alcohol with relaxation, celebration, or identity. For those in Christian community, it can also be an act of love and leadership—modeling a life where true joy isn’t dependent on a drink in hand.
Common Pushback and Grace-Filled Responses to the Sober Curious Movement
When Christians begin to explore life without alcohol, they often encounter familiar pushback:
- “But Jesus drank wine!”
- “Are you judging others who do drink?”
- “Isn’t this just legalism?”
These are fair questions—and they deserve gentle, honest responses. The truth is, many who are sober curious aren’t judging anyone. They’re simply trying to live in closer alignment with the Spirit’s leading in their own lives. They’re not replacing alcohol with rules; they’re replacing it with freedom, clarity, and peace.
As both personal testimonies and emerging conversations in the Christian space show, the sober curious path is not about imposing conviction—it’s about listening for God’s personal invitation.
In Conclusion: An Invitation, Not a Rule
Sober curiosity offers Christians a chance to pause, reflect, and realign. It’s not about legalism or fear—it’s about freedom and presence. It’s about becoming more of who God created you to be, not less.
Yes, Jesus drank wine. But He also lived with clarity, compassion, and intentionality. For many believers today, stepping away from alcohol—even just for a season—isn’t about what’s forbidden. It’s about what’s possible.
So if you’ve ever felt a quiet nudge to reexamine your relationship with alcohol, know this: you’re not alone. You’re not being called into guilt or pressure—you’re being invited into clarity, peace, and a deeper walk with God.
Ready to get curious about the role alcohol plays in your life?
Step into the invitation with the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast’s powerful six-week series based on Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind. This podcast series lays the foundation for a Spirit-led, grace-filled approach to changing your relationship with alcohol. Each episode invites believers to reframe their beliefs through the lens of faith, neuroscience, and identity in Christ. Subscribe and tune in every Monday—and discover what’s possible when you surrender the glass and grab hold of grace. Listen to But Jesus Drank Wine on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Yana Tikhonova
Meade Holland Shirley is the co-host of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast and co-founder of a faith-based ministry helping women break free from alcohol and walk boldly into the freedom Jesus offers. Our paths to freedom looked different, but led to the same truth: Jesus offers more than sobriety—He offers deep, lasting transformation. Meade is a former pharmaceutical rep and stay-at-home mom, who looked like she had it all together—but felt stuck in a nightly-ish wine habit. Once she realized the issue was less about drinking and more about thinking, everything changed. Now a senior certified coach and creator of the Change-Your-Thinking-to-Change-Your-Drinking method and The Missing P.E.A.C.E. framework, Meade helps women ditch shame, reclaim purpose, and live with peace and joy.
Join our BJDW Community!
Originally published July 24, 2025.
