I’m a stress eater. And a happy eater. And a boredom eater. Ok so I like to eat. And not just a little. A lot.
As I sit here right now typing this, I am very drawn to the vending machine down the hall. No, I’m not hungry. But some chips and a candy bar (or 2) sure would be good. It’s been a rough day. It will make me feel better. It really will. For a minute. And then I’ll feel guilty (and sick) and wish I hadn’t eaten all that. Because gluttony, as much as I’d like to deny it, really is a sin.
The Roman Catholic church even listed gluttony as one of the seven deadly sins that are believed to “spur on other sins and lead to further immoral behavior”.
The dictionary defines gluttony as “excess in eating or drinking”. In other words, eating or drinking more than you need for nutrition and sustenance is gluttony.
The bible refers to gluttony many times. Here are just a few:
“They shall say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’” Deuteronomy 21:20
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 23:20-21
“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49
I could list many more verses, but you get the point.
Gluttony seems to be the most accepted sin among Christians. But clearly, God takes gluttony seriously. But why? What’s the big deal? How can eating too much be a sin when eating is a necessity and God gave us so many delicious foods to enjoy?
Several reasons actually:
-Gluttons often turn to food as their source of comfort, rather than God. This is more clear when an alcoholic turns to whiskey or a drug addict turns to pain killers. But it’s very much the same thing.
-Gluttony is unhealthy. It can have negative consequences on your body, “the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure to name a few.
-Gluttony can be seen as a form of greed (a selfish desire for something) and a lack of self-control.
If you, like me, struggle with the sin of gluttony, say this prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, Lord forgive me for the times that I have turned to food for comfort rather than to You. Help me to treat my body well with proper nourishment and nutrition as Your temple and a vessel to be used for You. Strengthen me to overcome temptation and the desire to overindulge in the things of this world.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Yes, there is always temptation all around us but if you have faith in our lord and savior. He will get you through it. He is our miracle worker
Love the read. Thank you. God bless!
AMEN