Philippians 3:19
The problem is not just that gluttony is a sin, but Paul precisely labels it as a sin of idolatry., when obsession becomes fixation. Whatever overcomes a person to that he is enslaved. 2 Pet. 2:19. It’s not that the goal is to fast, it is to seek first the kingdom of God. It’s not just about eating food but it affects other areas of our lives.
Refrain from gluttony and thou shalt the more easily restrain all the inclinations of the flesh. Thomas Kempis. The Imitation of Christ.
Our problem with food:
- Eating disorders increased 70% from 1999-2019
- Adult obesity jumped 300% since 1975 and child obesity 500%.
- Hospitalizations due to eating disorders are up 52% from 2000-2018
- Eating disorders jumped by 70% during the pandemic
In other words, this is a significant and growing problem in our culture.
- Sociological factors – hurry up culture, reduced family meals, inclination to respond to all hunger pains, eating out the norm for many
- Economic – abundant availability and affordability. Large portion sizes
- Neurological- highly processed foods are engineered to maximize pleasure response I.e. addictive
- Spiritual – not utilizing spiritual disciplines
What is gluttony? Habitual greed or excess in eating. Church fathers – disordered desire. Listed by church fathers as one of the seven deadly sins along with sloth, lust…. It’s not just excess but eating too expensively, too elaborately, too hastily and too greedily. It’s a gateway bus, a foundational sin that leads to other sins.
What does the Bible say?
- Prov. 23:20. “Do not eat among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat. “
- Matt. 11:19 – the Son of Man came eating and drinking…. They say behold a Gluttonous man and a drunkard
- Phil. 3 – their God is their belly
- Ron. 16:17. Such persons serve their own desires, a metaphor for them serving themselves, not God
- Rom. 14:17- the kingdom of God is not about eating no drinking but about righteousness….
What is the solution?
Consume food, don’t let it consume me. We have to develop discipline in our eating
For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved, 2 Peter.
Matt. 11:28-30- Jesus is the answer. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Our goal is to become more like Him. The answer is not fasting but what it cruelly means, a spiritual goal to become more like Jesus, like silence and solitude.
