“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. NIV”
Prov.23.20-21;
Discussion
When we hear the word "Sin", we often think of the obvious ones like fornication, adultery, stealing, lying and murder. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the subtle ones like malice, envy, hatred, and strife. Galatians chapter five lists all these as works of the flesh and clearly states that ..."...those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21 NIV). Today we want to pay attention to the silent sin called gluttony. You hardly ever hear anyone talk about it as sin. With confidence, we call drunkenness sin. In our minds, we banish anyone drunk on alcohol to the flames of hell. We warn about the dangers of drinking alcohol, then on the other hand we praise someone who stuffs himself with food. Worse case, we recommend dieting for the person. Funny how we condemn everyone sitting in a beer Parlor but celebrate those who eat more than they can in an all you can eat buffet. Do you not see that drunkenness and gluttony are twin sins? You can't vilify one and justify the other. The bible tells you to stay away from the sins of gluttony and drunkenness. You're neither to join those who get drunk nor those who eat too much. Prov.23.20-21; "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. “NIV.
The reason drunkenness and gluttony are both sins is because they are expressions of lack of self-control. Self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and the lack of it is a work of the flesh that produces many sins including drunkenness and gluttony. So, if you do not drink alcohol but you can't control your eating, you're still sinning and need to stop now. Gluttony isn't just a body damaging, health deteriorating habit like alcoholism, it's a sin that a believer must repent of. From now on, never lose yourself to any indulgence. Have self-control. Train yourself to refrain from anything that tries to get a hold of you and control you. One way to train yourself against gluttony and other selfish acts is by regular fasting, consistent praying, and meditating on God's word. If you would master the art of self-control in eating and drinking, it will soon trickle down to having self-control in sexual temptations, self-control in wrath, etc. The grace of God is at work in you and enables you walk in self-control.
Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
Prov.23.20-21; — Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. NIV