Gluttony
Gluttony
Many things in this world are supposed to benefit humanity but also become distractions, hindrances, or idols that replace God in our hearts. From romance to money to even the bare necessities, anything can become an obsession of having possession, from too much consumption of food to the accumulation of wealth at the expense of the less fortunate.
Food is the primary maintenance of our body, and we cannot just give it up as our body will suffer. A moderate approach to eating can give our body enough energy to function properly and, if monitored correctly, can be a delight to the whole well-being. However, if eating becomes a priority, among other things, it can become a habit and a big part of a person’s life, leading to addiction. We cannot live without eating, but we cannot also live longer with excessive eating. When food controls our mind, It is time to refocus.
The Bible condemned Gluttony as a sin, which leads the soul to die. And the body’s desire to over-consume can lead to the body passing with the soul. If excessive eating is called Gluttony, a sin, what about compulsive eating, a disease? Can we also call it Gluttony? Hoarding the food may be closer to being called Gluttony, which is denying the needy, buying more than you can consume, eating more than the belly can take, and eventually throwing it out is a waste of food, a wicked behavior, and it is a sin.
Are all overweight a sinner? Is the love of food a sin? How can we justify that the people that love to eat are sinners? The love of money is the root of all evil! Is the love of food a root cause for people to be evil? Money can buy many things, including food. But buying more than you can consume and wasting is a sin, and money cannot absolve you from evil. Gluttony is not easy to define as there are various defenses. If we base it totally on the Bible to get to the bottom of it, many Christians would say it leads to idolizing the food, which is an overboard statement.
Food goes to the stomach, and the stomach is for food which functions as a processor, storage, and distributor of vitamins and minerals it gets from the food; therefore, it is a storehouse of our body that does the inventory. Our stomach complains when empty and also complains when we overeat, so to judge the body by how people see it is a false statement, and it is a sin. To be gluttonous is how God sees it, not the human eyes. God sees us in and out, so we cannot lie about how and what our thoughts testify about our eating behavior. Is it a disease, or should we continue eating even our stomach says, “I am full,” and then end up throwing them all out?
Christians have to be aware not to be judgmental. Our body is for the Lord because whether we are obese or not, God will not deny anyone to serve and love Him. So, what does it mean to you? Sinners or saints, believers, and non-believers, you are most welcome if you come to Him; how about those ministers that keep asking for donations even though they already have more than enough to survive a simple living for many years?
How about those living in luxury that depend on donations and use their sanctuary to receive tithes and offerings to support their lifestyle? Is that not considered Gluttony? Taking the food from the mouth of the believers is stealing and when stealing is excessive enough to be called Gluttony. Instead of buying food, believers donate what they have for a promise of a better life. Are Christian ministers or church leaders licensed to sin? I don’t think so! Gluttony is not only addressed to food, as it has a broader scope than we think.
Some Christians receive teachings that Gluttony also leads to Idolatry or idol. Do you think so? Let us check!
Idolatry is worshiping an idol or cult image, a physical image, such as a statue or a person in place of God. In Abrahamic religions, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Idolatry connotes worshiping something or someone other than God as if it were God— Wikipedia.
Many Christians are involved in various ideas of how idols will be considered a sin. God told Moses: “Do not worship any other gods besides me.” Exodus 20:3-5. Israelites worshipped a golden calf, and Jacob’s father-in-law worshiped idols. Idolatry cannot be considered Gluttony so we will put this aside.
If the excessive desire for food causes it to be withheld from the needy, that is a sin. Gluttony is a sin that needs a well-spirited understanding; it’s not about heavyweights with medical issues. Those who quit smoking can also redirect their smoking habit to eating due to cigarette withdrawal. Relieving excessive anxiety can also lead to unhealthy indulgences. It is not just eating to excess, but it can include behavioral problems, like drinking, lustful thoughts, and obsession to love, money, and any material things for pleasure.
Overconsumption not only of food but anything to the point that will lead to waste is Gluttony. Consumption of foods, drinks, and wealth items aim particularly as status symbols. Every time there is a natural emergency, it’s a fact that always happens many times. This happened during the first wave oit’sVID-19 when almost all the citizens rushed to the groceries to buy more than they could eat for a week or two, and those that waited were left with empty shelves.
Is panic buying a sin of Gluttony? As with all things on earth, food can become an idol. Where do we go from here? We will be better off to stay that Idolatry is a representation of God as an object of worship, special adoration, and loved or revere and the hindrance to the believer to accept this definition is because of fear and doubt that we have to ask the Holy Spirit and be free from any obstruction as we continue to walk with the Spirit of God.
Let us set our minds on the things above us, refocus on the Blesser and Promiser, and not divert on the items on earth, which are lusty desires. When we do so, we will be out of the command of the flesh and in with the guidance and protection of the Spirit of God that dwells in us.