117 billion gallons. That number represents the total storage capacity of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. It is also the total amount of alcohol that is consumed every year, globally. Put another way, the human body contains 5 liters of blood. 117 billion gallons is equal to the total bloodstream of 89 billion people, which is almost 10x the total world population. (Alcohol.org) Our world is drowning in an ocean of alcohol.
Christians are to hate what is evil (Rom. 12:9) and abstain from it (1 Thess. 5:22). Unquestionably, the Bible identifies alcohol as that which is evil. Scripture says that alcohol…
• Deceives: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Pro. 20:1).
• Is not appropriate for kings: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink” (Pro. 31:3).
• Steals from you: “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Pro. 21:17).
• Causes emotional, social, and physical problems: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes” (Pro. 29:23)?
• Must be avoided completely: “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly” (Pro. 29:31).
The world is drowning in a sea of alcohol, but God provides the life vest. The Bible gives us the answers and the help we need to avoid falling into its clutches. We must learn to view alcohol the way God does. We are to be sober (1 Pet. 1:13) and to occupy ourselves with things that are pure (Phil. 4:8). Then we can drain the 117 billion gallon ocean.