What does the Bible say about gluttony?
Gluttony is a sin and one that should be discussed more in churches. Overeating is idolatry and it is very dangerous. Scripture tells us Jacob’s brother Esau sold his birthright because of gluttony.
Eating too much has nothing to do with being fat. A skinny person could be a glutton also, but obesity could be a result of the continuous sin of gluttony.
Overeating is very harmful and addicting, that is why in the Bible it’s compared to drunkenness and laziness.
In this world, there is so much temptation to overeat because we have burgers, pizza, chicken, buffets, etc. but Christians are told to control our appetites and keep our bodies healthy (Check out healthsharing programs).
Don’t waste food and resist the devil when he tempts you with cravings when you’re not even hungry.
Resist him when you’re already full, and walk by the Spirit. I’ve talked to many people and from my experience as well most of the time gluttony is brought on by boredom.
“There is nothing else to do so I’ll just turn on the TV and eat this delicious food.” We must find something better to do with our time. I recommend exercising.
Not only does it help with your health, but it also helps your eating habits. You need to find joy in Christ rather than food and television.
Pray for more passion for Christ. This will lead to knowing God more in His Word and reigniting your prayer life. Fight worthless desires by seeking things that will help you spiritually.
Christian quotes about gluttony
“I believe that gluttony is as much a sin in the sight of God as drunkenness.” Charles Spurgeon
“Our bodies are inclined to ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth. Unless we practice self-control, our bodies will tend to serve evil more than God. We must carefully discipline ourselves in how we “walk” in this world, else we will conform more to its ways rather than to the ways of Christ.” Donald S. Whitney
“Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us.” Peter De Vries
“Gluttony kills more than the sword.”
“Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a man cannot keep up dignity. In gluttony there must be eating, in drunkenness there must be drinking; ’tis not the eating, and ’tis not the drinking that must be blamed, but the excess. So in pride.” John Selden
“Although drunkenness is a widespread sin in the nonChristian culture of today, I do not detect that it is a major problem among Christians. But gluttony surely is. Most of us have a tendency to overindulge in the food which God has so graciously provided for us. We allow the sensual part of our God-given appetite to range out of control and lead us into sin. We need to remember that even our eating and drinking is to be done to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).” Jerry Bridges
“Two mistakes accompany most discussions on gluttony.The first is that it only pertains to those with a less than shapely waistline; the second is that it always involves food. In reality, it can apply to toys, television, entertainment, sex, or relationships. It is about an excess of anything.” Chris Donato
What does God say about gluttony?
1. Philippians 3:19-20 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
2. Proverbs 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.
4. Proverbs 23:1-3 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
5. Psalm 78:17-19 Yet they kept on sinning against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved. They even spoke against God himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness.”
6. Proverbs 25:27 It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty of being gluttons
7. Ezekiel 16:49 Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.
God’s Temple
8. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 You know that you are God’s sanctuary and that God’s Spirit lives in you, don’t you? If anyone destroys God’s sanctuary, God will destroy him, for God’s sanctuary is holy. And you are that sanctuary!
9. Romans 12:1-2 Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Choose your friends wisely.
10. Proverbs 28:7 A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
11. Proverbs 23:19-21 My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
Self Control: If you can’t control your appetite how can you control anything else?
12. Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
13. Titus 1:8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
14. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
15. 1 Corinthians 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Overcoming the sin of gluttony: How can I conquer gluttony?
16. Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
17. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
18. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Reminders
19. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
20. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
20. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
21. James 1:14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Examples of gluttony in the Bible
22. Titus 1:12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”
23. Deuteronomy 21:20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
24. Luke 7:34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
25. Numbers 11:32-34 So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry. But while they were gorging themselves on the meat–while it was still in their mouths–the anger of the LORD blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means “graves of gluttony”) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt.
