Gluttony

Just about everyone I know enjoys food…and this blogger is no exception. We tend to eat far more than what we require for survival. Then why do we overindulge? I don’t know the answer to that question. What I can tell you is that it gives a lot of people satisfaction or even pleasure. Food and drink are comforting to our bodies. Food gives us energy, vitality, peace of mind, and allows us to carry on with our day to day activities.

So what exactly is Gluttony? Gluttony is the opposite of temperance. Basically, temperance accepts the natural limits of pleasures and allows a person’s desires to stay within reasonable balance. Gluttony, however, will take a desire to the next level and will do so in a very excessive manner.

This is what it boils down to - The sin of gluttony is pleasure in excess. It is a great desire for something – very similar to greed, but not necessarily from a materialistic standpoint. Gluttony is more of an addiction.

Also, gluttony doesn’t always simply translate into the realm of food. You can be a glutton in many other ways.

Have you ever heard the term…

“He’s a glutton for work.”

This basically means that someone works all the time and is so engrossed in working that they have no other priorities in life.

Gluttony may also translate to excessive entertainment or the like. An example would be a person that sits in front of the TV all day long. Gluttony is much more than gorging oneself on food or drink. It is desire in excess.

Final thoughts –

I think it’s safe to say that when most people think of a glutton they think of someone that eats or drinks in excess. While this has truth to it, just remember there are far more ways for the sin of gluttony to enter your life than via a fork or straw.

One thing that is important to understand is to never pre-judge someone by their looks. What I mean by this is that just because someone is overweight – does not mean they are a glutton. Everyone knows there are numerous factors that attribute to weight gain and retention. Plus it’s not our responsibility to judge others.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:2

I will say this however…

In no part of the bible (that I’m aware of) did Jesus or his disciples eat or drink excessively, in fact, most of the time they were walking around hungry. The bible mentions the act of fasting on more than one occasion and it would be prudent for us to consider fasting every now and again. For Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the desert while being tempted by Satan.

Being human, we all have our weak moments where we slip. But we must remember that we eat to live – we should not live to eat. Have temperance, show discipline and you will be rewarded.

Before closing, I’ll leave you with this short passage from Proverbs…

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.

20 Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,

21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Proverbs 23:19-21

May God bless you. And this is for His Glory!