Below I have listed verses that speak of gluttony. Gluttony is sometimes hard to discern when we see the size of someone who seem to be out of control.
There are those who eat far more than they should and are obese because of it. Then again there are those who eat what might be considered reasonable and have extra weight in spite of their meal sizes.
In the past kings were said to over eat, leave the meal table to vomit and come back to eat more, this of course is sinful. Snacking just for the taste can be sinful if one is not hungry and does it on a regular basis. We all have shacks at time, the problem is when those snacks are not really snacks but meals in between meals.
I am convinced that it is better to teach about gluttony with compassion in our hearts. There are those who have diabetes from their genetics and others who have it because of their eating habits. Each person must pray and decide for themselves whether or not they are moderate in their eating habits or out of control.
Those who love God will want to know, they are the ones who will pray and be given power to obey God.
There are those with heart trouble and thyroid conditions that do not allow them to lose enough weight to be considered thin. There are also studies that show older people are healthier a few pounds heavier than they were when they were young.
This matter of gluttony must be approached honestly and prayerfully by each individual. We can preach against excess and over indulgence to encourage believers to be self disciplined, not only in their eating but also in every area of their life. However it is not a good idea to judge others based on their size.
We can promote healthy eating and responsible spending when it comes to eating fast food, and then leave the judgments to God for individuals.
Not everyone is going to be thin, we all have different bone structures and metabolisms. This is all coming from a person who was thin all my life until I hit menopause and when my thyroid took a turn. Struggling for the past five years with these health issues I know that the greatest diet in the world will not make thin those who have some of these health problems.
The key is to choose healthy foods, snack when hungry and never eat just for the taste. Its amazing how little food we actually need, if the food is the right kind and in the right proportions.
The implications of the passages below seem to say that gluttony is often associated with those who are lazy and given to pleasure more than self restraint.
Proverbs 23:20-21
"20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe one with rags."
Proverbs 28:7
"7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father."
Proverbs 23:2
"2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man of great appetite."
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