Is Gluttony The Most Overlooked Sin Today?

MrMoe · Apr 17, 2019

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Those are very, very strong words and yet I've never heard any preacher do a dedicated teaching on it. I've never heard Christians on here or anywhere else have long discussions about it as they do with other sins. When it is brought up it's usually mentioned in passing along with other sins. Out of all the sins it seems to be the one that is most forgotten.

I see shows like Man vs Food, where the portion sizes are ridiculous. I saw it as entertainment as I assumed everyone else did, but then it crossed my mind that this guy was clearly overeating. I wonder how many Christians watched this show and that never crossed their mind.

I hear stats from health organizations saying obesity is a big problem in countries like American and Australia. I wonder how many Christians are obese because they over eat.
(P.S. I know not all weight gain is caused by over eating, so no need to bring that up.)

Why do you think this is?

Have a good Easter everyone.

Gregory Thompson · Apr 17, 2019

MrMoe said:
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Those are very, very strong words and yet I've never heard any preacher do a dedicated teaching on it. I've never heard Christians on here or anywhere else have long discussions about it as they do with other sins. When it is brought up it's usually mentioned in passing along with other sins. Out of all the sins it seems to be the one that is most forgotten.

I see shows like Man vs Food, where the portion sizes are ridiculous. I saw it as entertainment as I assumed everyone else did, but then it crossed my mind that this guy was clearly overeating. I wonder how many Christians watched this show and that never crossed their mind.

I hear stats from health organizations saying obesity is a big problem in countries like American and Australia. I wonder how many Christians are obese because they over eat.
(P.S. I know not all weight gain is caused by over eating, so no need to bring that up.)

Why do you think this is?

Have a good Easter everyone.

If movies are to be believed, gluttons make the worst kind of zombies.

Why do I think this is? probably the same reason bibdolatry is overlooked, the pastor wants to get paid.

truefiction1 · Apr 17, 2019

MrMoe said:
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Those are very, very strong words and yet I've never heard any preacher do a dedicated teaching on it. I've never heard Christians on here or anywhere else have long discussions about it as they do with other sins. When it is brought up it's usually mentioned in passing along with other sins. Out of all the sins it seems to be the one that is most forgotten.

I see shows like Man vs Food, where the portion sizes are ridiculous. I saw it as entertainment as I assumed everyone else did, but then it crossed my mind that this guy was clearly overeating. I wonder how many Christians watched this show and that never crossed their mind.

I hear stats from health organizations saying obesity is a big problem in countries like American and Australia. I wonder how many Christians are obese because they over eat.
(P.S. I know not all weight gain is caused by over eating, so no need to bring that up.)

Why do you think this is?

Have a good Easter everyone.

Fasting from food, and from certain kinds of unhealthy (both physically and spiritually) food is integral to our ancient Christian spiritual practice.

American Christianity has tended to neglect this indispensable part of Christian faith. I think this is because in much of Protestantism their has been great emphasis on being saved by belief alone and not by any works, and many people would consider fasting to be a work, and so don't even consider doing it for that reason alone. Even if such denominations don't forbid fasting, or encourage it, they don't really offer any solid framework to help their people to fast successfully. That is to say, they don't set any clear rules about how, what, and when to eat and not to eat.

Kate30 · Apr 17, 2019

MrMoe said:
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Those are very, very strong words and yet I've never heard any preacher do a dedicated teaching on it. I've never heard Christians on here or anywhere else have long discussions about it as they do with other sins. When it is brought up it's usually mentioned in passing along with other sins. Out of all the sins it seems to be the one that is most forgotten.

I see shows like Man vs Food, where the portion sizes are ridiculous. I saw it as entertainment as I assumed everyone else did, but then it crossed my mind that this guy was clearly overeating. I wonder how many Christians watched this show and that never crossed their mind.

I hear stats from health organizations saying obesity is a big problem in countries like American and Australia. I wonder how many Christians are obese because they over eat.
(P.S. I know not all weight gain is caused by over eating, so no need to bring that up.)

Why do you think this is?

Have a good Easter everyone.

It’s probably due to our many advances in technology and industry that has caused so much obesity. People are simply not as physically active as they used be.

OldWiseGuy · Apr 17, 2019

Eating, as well as other habits are viewed as very personal by most.

"The pastor turned his attention to the problem of moonshining, common in that region, condemning it soundly with fiery zeal. As the congregation shuffled out an older gentleman was heard to mumble, "He's quit preachin' and gone to meddlin'."

paul1149 · Apr 17, 2019

A lot of the obesity is not due to gluttony, but malnutrition. Marketing has worked all too well over the generations to sell us on carbohydrates and refined or processed "foods". Consequently the body develops legitimate cravings for the real food it lacks. These cravings form an addiction that is just as real as narcotic addiction. It's not a coincidence that the obesity epidemic coincides with the food revolution involving packaged food and the USDA pyramid pushing grains but condemning healthy fats such as butter. What we need more than preaching on gluttony is teaching on proper nutrition, and a return to the Biblical discipline of regular fasting.

OldWiseGuy · Apr 17, 2019

paul1149 said:
A lot of the obesity is not due to gluttony, but malnutrition. Marketing has worked all too well over the generations to sell us on carbohydrates and refined or processed "foods". Consequently the body develops legitimate cravings for the real food it lacks. These cravings form an addiction that is just as real as narcotic addiction. It's not a coincidence that the obesity epidemic coincides with the food revolution involving packaged food and the USDA pyramid pushing grains but condemning healthy fats such as butter. What we need more than preaching on gluttony is teaching on proper nutrition, and a return to the Biblical discipline of regular fasting.

Sadly our educational system serves the food industry, not the health of the citizens. Therefore the individual is solely responsible for his or her health. Happily, good health information is widely available. Sadly, health isn't very high on our list of priorities.

JCFantasy23 · Apr 17, 2019

I think so. It's something we all know but most don't really think about. I consider gluttony overindulgence in a lot of things, though, which can include daily overdoses of nicotine through smoking, alcohol, coffees. And for the strict definition, weight is a major issue in the U.S.

topher694 · Apr 17, 2019

Gluttony is about far more than food. Food is simply the best, easiest to understand analogy.

Gluttony means to make worthless, squander by being lavish with. Sometimes the word translates to dubious activity of the mind, will or character.

What gluttony really is, is when we have an unrelenting hunger for something of the world instead of for God. We are operating in gluttony when we squander (make worthless) the blessings God has given us. For example if we use the gifts and talents God has given us to recklessly pursue worldly things, like someone who is clearly gifted in math and numbers using that gift to gamble. I'm not just talking here or there but hopelessly addicted and dedicated to the next big win. Their dubious activity has squandered the gifts God has given them. Addictions are commonly connected to gluttony.

So in that sense, in addition to eating, someone could be operating in gluttony by: playing video games, over-working, TV, and so on.... heck even exercising could fall under gluttony if done to great excess (how bout that). It's not that any of those things are bad in and of themselves, but it's the excess and squandering that is the issue.

Now, I can't speak for others but I have preached on this very topic before, and I know of others who have, so I know that it is out there. But if it isn't talked about a lot I think that is because of a) lack of understanding of what gluttony truly is and b) because of it's very nature we REALLY don't like anyone talking negatively about anything we are being gluttonous about and will often resist it strongly.

Ttalkkugjil · Apr 17, 2019

Gluttony is a much overlooked sin. I did a 106 page directed research project on it in university, and found some interesting stats. One I recall is that 25% of the pastors I surveyed responded that fastfood is their regular diet. I'd share more stats, but my report is half a world away.

Lost4words · Apr 17, 2019

I get 2 bowls of food a day, some biscuits and some treats. I wish i could have more! Woof

OldWiseGuy · Apr 17, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
Gluttony is a much overlooked sin. I did a 106 page directed research project on it in university, and found some interesting stats. One I recall is that 25% of the pastors I surveyed responded that fastfood is their regular diet. I'd share more stats, but my report is half a world away.

Interesting. I once traded vehicles with my pastor (my truck for his car) for a day. The floor of his car was littered with fast food wrappers. But as pastors are on the road a lot visiting church members it was understandable.

OldWiseGuy · Apr 17, 2019

JCFantasy23 said:
I think so. It's something we all know but most don't really think about. I consider gluttony overindulgence in a lot of things, though, which can include daily overdoses of nicotine through smoking, alcohol, coffees. And for the strict definition, weight is a major issue in the U.S.

COFFEE?!? Now you've gone to meddlin'!

(Tulc will not take this kindly either.)

Ttalkkugjil · Apr 17, 2019

OldWiseGuy said:
Interesting. I once traded vehicles with my pastor (my truck for his car) for a day. The floor of his car was littered with fast food wrappers. But as pastors are on the road a lot visiting church members it was understandable.

Is it? I don't know that it takes much more time to stop at a healthier restaurant or even (gasp!) prepare foods at home. Pastors visited church members for centuries without fastfood joints being around.

Root of Jesse · Apr 17, 2019

I said no. I think lust and fornication.

worshipjunkie · Apr 17, 2019

I think food addiction is a real thing, and that addiction in general in our society seems to be drastically on the rise. I've never talked to anyone who is really overweight who doesn't have several extenuating factors, but I think most of us who are morbidly obese would admit to some level of food addiction.

Hank77 · Apr 17, 2019

topher694 said:
Gluttony is about far more than food. Food is simply the best, easiest to understand analogy.

Gluttony means to make worthless, squander by being lavish with. Sometimes the word translates to dubious activity of the mind, will or character.

What gluttony really is, is when we have an unrelenting hunger for something of the world instead of for God. We are operating in gluttony when we squander (make worthless) the blessings God has given us. For example if we use the gifts and talents God has given us to recklessly pursue worldly things, like someone who is clearly gifted in math and numbers using that gift to gamble. I'm not just talking here or there but hopelessly addicted and dedicated to the next big win. Their dubious activity has squandered the gifts God has given them. Addictions are commonly connected to gluttony.

So in that sense, in addition to eating, someone could be operating in gluttony by: playing video games, over-working, TV, and so on.... heck even exercising could fall under gluttony if done to great excess (how bout that). It's not that any of those things are bad in and of themselves, but it's the excess and squandering that is the issue.

Now, I can't speak for others but I have preached on this very topic before, and I know of others who have, so I know that it is out there. But if it isn't talked about a lot I think that is because of a) lack of understanding of what gluttony truly is and b) because of it's very nature we REALLY don't like anyone talking negatively about anything we are being gluttonous about and will often resist it strongly.

Yours is the best answer so far, imo.

I would say that gluttony is to put other things before God, things of the flesh that we can't get enough of and often use to glorify ourselves. The greatest gluttony that I see in men is money.

However, Phil 3, is not referring to food unless we see it as Paul referring to the food laws under the Law of Moses, which he may have been, considering his whole discourse. I don't think Paul was weeping for people who ate too much. Paul, in other teachings, expressed his sadness for his own Jewish people and just as Jesus did, he wept for them.

Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

OldWiseGuy · Apr 17, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
Is it? I don't know that it takes much more time to stop at a healthier restaurant or even (gasp!) prepare foods at home. Pastors visited church members for centuries without fastfood joints being around.

I won't judge the man (I sometimes go for a double cheeseburger myself).

danbuter · Apr 17, 2019

If you think about it, most advertising that isn't directly about sex is about gluttony. Just look at all those pictures of perfect steaks, ice cold beers, ice cream sundaes, etc.

thecolorsblend · Apr 17, 2019

MrMoe said:
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Proverbs 28:7

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:21

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Proverbs 23:2

Those are very, very strong words and yet I've never heard any preacher do a dedicated teaching on it. I've never heard Christians on here or anywhere else have long discussions about it as they do with other sins. When it is brought up it's usually mentioned in passing along with other sins. Out of all the sins it seems to be the one that is most forgotten.

I see shows like Man vs Food, where the portion sizes are ridiculous. I saw it as entertainment as I assumed everyone else did, but then it crossed my mind that this guy was clearly overeating. I wonder how many Christians watched this show and that never crossed their mind.

I hear stats from health organizations saying obesity is a big problem in countries like American and Australia. I wonder how many Christians are obese because they over eat.
(P.S. I know not all weight gain is caused by over eating, so no need to bring that up.)

Why do you think this is?

Have a good Easter everyone.

A casual look around America suggests that gluttony is a serious problem. And it's understandably a sin.

Is Gluttony The Most Overlooked Sin Today?

Is Gluttony The Most Overlooked Sin Today?

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