Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Self-control”
Our Bible verse for today: “… and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” Proverbs 23:2 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “When it comes to food we have to control ourselves.”
Those of you who know me well know that I am by nature a glutton. It probably doesn’t appear that way at first to most people because I’m slender and fairly physically fit. But that’s only because many years ago I recognized this trait in myself and realized I had to learn to control it. In my weaker moments, I will eat eight pieces of pizza in a single sitting; I will open a half gallon of cookie dough ice cream, grab a spoon, and start eating right from the carton. By the time I’m done there might not be any left. “Hi, my name is Jim and I’m a glutton.”
Is gluttony a sin? Yes it is. Consistently throughout the Bible over-indulgence in food is portrayed as being bad for us and it’s an offense against God. But it’s a sin Christians prefer to ignore. We don’t hesitate to preach and teach against alcohol and homosexuality, but when was the last time you heard a sermon or Bible study on the sin of gluttony? And yet, it’s probably the most common sin in our churches today. Our pulpits and pews are filled with people who struggle with an addiction to food.
I would go so far as to say that gluttony does more damage to society than alcohol or drugs. I know that’s a strong statement but gluttony is so wide-spread that it actually effects far greater numbers of people than does alcohol or drugs. And the damage it does is extreme. Type-two diabetes is an epidemic in our nation. Heart disease and strokes are literally killing us – and at a young age. It’s an increasingly common story in our society (and in our churches) to hear of people in their forties and fifties whose health is so bad that they’re on disability and can no longer work, and others who die young as a result of lifestyle health issues that could have been prevented.
A medical doctor was telling me just the other day how rare it has become to find an adult in our society who is not taking at least one prescribed medicine on a daily basis – and usually it’s more than just one. He said, “These days everybody is on something.”
Probably the area of self-control that is most needed by most people is with respect to food. We have to learn to limit ourselves to eating moderate amounts of reasonably nutritious food, and then getting some exercise every day.
Is it really possible to control ourselves in this area? Of course it is! God wouldn’t label gluttony a sin and tell us to control ourselves if it wasn’t possible. First and foremost, we know that self-control in all areas of life is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore it’s something the Holy Spirit will develop in us as we apply ourselves to it.
Second, we need to become very familiar with the Bible verses which pertain to the issue we are struggling with. Proverbs 23:2, Proverbs 23:20-21, and Proverbs 28:7 are a few that pertain to gluttony. Also, we need to remember that God has given us the power to say “No!” 1 Corinthians 10:13 is another of those verses we need to memorize so we can call upon it in times of temptation:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”
And then there is the power of association. Join a gym. And then actually go. Spend time with others who are fighting this battle and winning. Utilize a program to help you. P90X, Power90, or any of the other fitness, nutrition, and exercise programs available today can be very helpful in achieving a healthy weight and staying physically fit.
You can do this. God wouldn’t require it of us if it wasn’t possible. But you do have to want it and you do have to work for it. Gluttony is a sin but like any other sin, we can have victory over it, and the spiritual discipline of self-control is the key.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 