One attitude toward food that is not Christian is that of abuse. There is nothing godly about gluttony. In fact, the Bible condemns gluttony in various places. We should show appreciation for God’s blessings of food, but not by overeating.
My brilliant wife shared some insightful thoughts on Monday’s post. Let me quote from her comment:
I believe that Colossians 2:20-23 describes our world today very graphically, sadly enough. There’s so much around us that has to do with human regulations on eating, dieting, harsh treatment of the body (mind, spirit, and soul I might add) , seeing some foods as evil when in reality what is evil is the fact that we eat more of them than our bodies actually need to function in a healthy manner.
The two words that I think hold the key in this passage in Colossians are at the end of verse 23: restraining and indulgence. That’s where the problem is, at least for me, learning how to restrain my desire to indulge in unhealthy *amounts* of food, any food. Eating 6 plates of salad, righteous as it might sound, is the same problem of lack of restraint and overindulgence as eating half a pan of chocolate cake. It’s covetousness, wanting more than your body actually needs.
Restraint and temperance are the key concepts. God has blessed us with an abundance of food in this country. The proper response is not to eat anything and everything we can get our hands on. The proper response is to do what we can to see that everyone has enough to eat.
We often seem to avoid the subject of gluttony; is that only because it makes us uncomfortable? Or is it that the Bible doesn’t have a lot to say on the topic? What do you think?
I think I avoid the topic of gluttony because of the assumption that large people are gluttons. I’ll admit my share of gluttony at times in my life … but at the same time I have been far surpassed at the buffet by fellows half my size. Touchy subject because so much pressure in todays world to look a certain way (which is a cousin to gluttony I suppose). Defining gluttony is difficult. Is gluttony a lifestyle … or is it one of those recurring sins… or for some an occasional sin? I could write 40 pages on this subject … and the struggle with food / eating .. and I know I’m not alone on that matter. No matter the complexity … it is a spiritual matter and one that we cannot afford to ignore. Thanks Tim.
Excellent points, John. Obesity and gluttony are not the same thing.
I can say that I used to eat a lot more when I was a teenager, but my metabolism back then would burn everything off.
Questions of control, addiction, etc. certainly come into play here.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim,
i think your wife’s comments are spot on. i think it’s *easier* to blame the substance than to take the responsibility on ourselves. Rather than *me* having to admit a problem or learn self-control over my appetites, i can just say “chocolate is bad” (or “alcohol is bad” for that matter). Bottom line, it’s buck-passing i think. And any view which assumes i’m weak and helpless will most likely become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Not good.
–guy