7 Deadly Sins: Gluttony ?

Gluttony is far more complex than just eating lots! It depends on the situation - sin is creative. It's not about how much of a cake you eat, it's about our attitude we have to food.

Our attitude towards our food and drink can allow it to control us.

Food is a gift from God, and we have to right to do anything with it. But not everything is beneficial. We can enjoy it but must not be mastered by it.

We do not belong to ourselves

We were bought by the death of Jesus, so we should respect and love ourselves as children of God. We honour God with our bodies.

So what is Gluttony?

An attitude towards our food, where it controls us and stops us loving God.

Example 1 - The Garden of Eden ?

The very beginning of sin's grip on humanity begins with a fruit that dominated Eve and her relationship with God. The desire for food became more than the desire for God.

Example 2 - Jacob and Esau ?

Esau was prepared to give up anything for the stew. He gave up everything - including God's promises for food. It's a foolish decision.

Example 3 - Proverbs 23

"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."

This passage warns about letting others influence you with food and luxuries.

Example 4 - Solomon's Feast

In 1 Kings 4, we see Solomon's meal. It's a wonderful blessing from God.

But if we wind back to Samuel, he warned them about taxes, slavery and theft. Solomon is the third king, and we see how he has exploited the people for this luxurious feast.

Gluttony is not how it seems

You might only eat small portions, but fuss over them and expect a lot from them, or you might eat buckets of food.

Quantity is not the issue, it's about the heart. It's about how highly you hold your food in your life.

So how do we fight it?

Let's look at the life of Jesus to help us.

The last supper ?

Both times, Jesus gave thanks for the food and drink that they had at the table.

Part of the antidote to the problem that began with Eve is to realise what we have, to realise what God has provided. If we realise this and give thanks to God for our food helps us to attribute it to God. Being grateful for what we have, no matter how small.

Jesus in the Wilderness ?

Jesus had been fasting for 40 days. He was tempted with food, but Jesus acknowledges that food is not everything. Food is not all important to our lives to fulfil it. God sustains and provides for us. And so we see Jesus fasting for a while, in order to focus on God's importance rather than food's.

Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand ??

Jesus' attitude to food here is generosity. Jesus' joy comes from sharing food with other people. All can come together and share food with each other, as we join together as people of God who worship together.

The deeper issue

All these lessons can help us, but we need to deal with the deeper issue.

God himself is what we need to value. If we love God more, then our desire for sin will diminish. Jesus calls himself the "Water of Life", and so only He can fulfil us completely and remove our appetite for other things.