Gluttony in America and in Myself

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Are you guilty of it? Gluttony is defined as, "habitual greed or excess in eating." That pretty much sums up America nowadays, don't you think? According to CBS News, two thirds of adults in America are overweight or obese and childhood obesity has tripled in the last thirty years. They also report that this could be the first generation since the Civil War to have a shorter life expectancy. What an awesome legacy we're leaving our children, right? Did you also know that over 300,000 people die every year due to obesity related illnesses? (This statistic is from 2003 so I'm sure its even worse now). That means 300,000 people are dying each year simply because of poor diet and inactivity! This is so crazy and so preventable!! Don't you think we should wake up and start to heed the warnings that God has given us about this very thing?

"When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite. 

Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food."

Proverbs 23:1-3

Don't you think America could be considered the "ruler" in this passage? We're wealthy and indulge in "delicacies" and "deceptive food" on every corner. 

"Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."

-Proverbs 23:20-21

Here gluttony is compared to being drunk. Many Christians would never even consider getting drunk, but indulging in food is almost a daily occurrence.

"For many, of whom I have often told you

and now tell you even with tears,

walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is destruction, 

their god is their belly,

and they glory in their shame, 

with minds set on earthly things."

-Philippians 3:18-19

Those who are enemies of the cross have their minds set on earthly things such as their bellies. As Christians, don't you think we should be separating ourselves as far as possible from all of this? Are you guilty of gluttony? I know I am. You don't have to be overweight to be gluttonous. You can be greedy and excessive with your eating habits and not have the extra pounds to show for it.

"A lot of gluttony is born of boredom. Life is not satisfying or stimulating, relationships feel empty, and work is boring, but food is always there and tastes so good." -Christianity.com

I was having a conversation with my husband yesterday about wanting to cut down on eating out. (We tend to eat out around 3 times a week right now). I was saying that I really didn't want to give up eating out on Friday nights because for some reason it's such a comfort and treat for me. I asked my husband if he felt the same way (expecting that he would) and he responded, "Not really. Food is food to me. I could eat at home with you every day and be fine. It doesn't matter." Whoa. This revealed to me how emotionally attached to food I am. I connect eating out with love, comfort, and joy. This is wrong. As long as I can remember I've viewed food this way. I guess you could say it's been my lifelong love affair. It has a major hold on me and that is not glorifying to God. I really need to pray about this and try to begin separating my emotions from my food. GOD is love, GOD is comfort, GOD is joy, not food. I know God created food and it's a good thing, but when we begin to idolize it and become addicted to it we are sinning and that is a serious problem. So how should we view food?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
-Corinthians 10:31


"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
 who is in you, whom you have received from God?
 You are not your own; you were bought at a price, 
therefore honor God with your body."
-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 God wants us to honor Him in everything that we do. That includes what we eat. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and yet we tend to treat our bodies like garbage. Take up your eating habits with God. If you feel that your glorifying Him with what you eat and how you view food then that's what matters. Food should be viewed as a blessing. God created it and we have to partake in it to survive, but we shouldn't be addicted to it or obsessive over it. Don't sway too far to the other side either. I think healthy eating can just as easily become an idol. You have to take it up with the Lord and find balance.

Do you struggle with gluttony? Do you have a healthy relationship with food?


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