%20(1).png)
On May 22, 2024, I shared a post on our social media accounts that sparked a lot of feedback, prompting me to reflect on an often overlooked issue in the church: gluttony and its impact on physical and mental health. The first response was a rude comment, but I took no offense as I had asked for feedback.
Shortly after, a friend messaged me about how she had overeaten at a restaurant at the time of our post. This led to a conversation where I shared that overcoming gluttony is like running a marathon. Hebrews 12:1-4 encourages us to throw off the weights and sins that hold us back, “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
We believe that’s key! What makes something a sin? If it becomes an idol, something we run to instead of running to God. In Exodus 20:3-5, we are commanded to have no other gods, which was echoed by someone who said that food can keep us from going to God, a struggle we’ve experienced.
In our last life group study from RightNow Media called "Emotional Maturity: Chasing After Wholeness In The ‘Inner Man’" by Randy Gariss, Brett and I became more aware of how we can turn to food when we should be turning to God. If you don’t have RightNow Media, it’s an excellent resource for Bible Studies, but we found the same study for free on YouTube here.
In Philippians 3:19, the apostle Paul encourages us to be like him and not like those who walk as enemies to the cross and have made their bellies their god. We can be enemies to God when we turn to food for comfort instead of going to the cross. Many who struggle with food for comfort are anxious, sad, depressed, or lonely, and Jesus paid the ultimate price to comfort us in such times.
Occasional overeating during celebrations is not as common but should not be overlooked. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that should be developed, as stated in Galatians 5:22-23. Many people across our social media accounts agreed that this issue doesn’t get enough attention in the church, indicating it needs to be addressed.
Why do we tend to overlook it? I don’t have all the answers, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Another person mentioned that only the conviction of the Holy Spirit helped her because anyone else bringing it up can be condemning. Could this be why this is not addressed?
When pastors speak of any sin, it may sound condemning to those not ready to be freed, but this doesn’t mean we should stop talking about sin. We should continue by faith, believing that each person will receive the word of God and be freed when it is their time to be freed.
We’re not trying to condemn anyone; we’re seeking healing ourselves and have received deliverance and breakthrough in patterns of thinking that kept us blinded to this issue. This could sound like a cry for help but we also believe this is a call to bring awareness to an overlooked issue that can affect someone’s life, literally to death.
I felt the conviction to speak up about this matter for some time but didn’t feel adequate or equipped to do so sooner. Now, I’m prompted by courage to speak up. Moving forward, we hope to continually consider our habits to progress to better health mentally and physically.
The rude comment I spoke earlier said, "Who cares about what they want to eat, if they’re happy leave them." While it’s true that what anyone eats is none of my business, if someone is about to jump off a bridge, I would try to keep them from jumping.
So, this is for those who struggle with this issue and desire to overcome it.
This topic has come up in our life group more than once, and many have approached me separately to talk about it.
Some of us have even become accountable to one another, which we absolutely love!
In this process I realized that for someone who struggles with alcohol, we avoid being a stumbling block by not exposing them to alcohol. Yet, when it comes to food, the church does a poor job because gatherings often provide poor food choices. Sometimes some even encourage it. In our life group, we’ve discussed ensuring healthier options where food is concerned and have started applying healthier options when we meet.
Now, I want to explore the word gluttony.
What does the Bible say about gluttony? The word glutton has been used differently throughout the scriptures. In Deuteronomy 21:20, the Hebrew word zālal means to 'squander, be frivolous’: "This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard." Proverbs 23:20 says, "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 28:7 states, "The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father."
In the New Testament, the Greek word phágos is used in Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34 to describe Jesus: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Titus 1:12 uses the word gasté̄r, meaning literally belly: "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’"
In Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34, Jesus used the term to describe how the Pharisees viewed Him because He didn’t abstain from eating and drinking like John the Baptist. Jesus said it was unnecessary to fast while He was present, as stated in Matthew 9:14-15: "Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’"
What can we gather from these findings? In God’s word, gluttony is correlated with self-indulgence and greed, as well as the physical act of overeating. Could it be that we overeat because we cannot control our surroundings, and food is the next best thing that gives us instant gratification?
I remember I used to drink when I was stressed to relax. Was trying to feed my desire to control and this was the next best thing? Perhaps but I digress.
Someone suggested eating in moderation, which is our aim with the help of some tools. Brett counts calories, and I follow a low-carb, high-fat, and protein meal plan with zero alcohol. One glass of wine a day may keep the doctor away, but some people’s strength does not lie in moderation.
Everything may be good, but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up."
That’s what we’re aiming for! If food is not an issue for you, praise God! If you still got to the end of this, maybe there is a different vice affecting your concentration or keeping you from going to God. If so, we pray you can apply biblical principles to your life for deliverance.
The "Emotional Maturity" teaching mentioned above is an amazing study that can help anyone, whether they have an issue with food or not. If you feel you have an issue with food or alcohol, we want to join in prayer and support you in developing the fruit of self-control in this area.
Father, in the name of Jesus, we come to you in need of a savior in this area of food. We thank you for your saving grace and that you do not overlook any of our needs, regardless of how small they are. We lift up to you everyone who reads this, that they may be delivered from whatever stronghold is keeping them away from you, to be freed and focused on all that you died to give us in Jesus Christ, amen.
Now, I would love for you to say this prayer: Father, thank you for your word that is my sustenance. We ask that you forgive me for all the times that I have turned to physical food instead of turning to your Word for comfort and ask that you help me overcome the desires of the flesh through Your Holy Spirit and to turn to you for comfort and praise, in Jesus' name, Amen.
If you said that prayer and need additional prayer and support, please reach out to us by emailing us at inspire@influenceforpurpose.com. Let God bless your day!
Comments
Post a Comment