Gluttony, the obsessive love of food (Philippians 3.19), is an overlooked sin. Most people who are over-weight do not think they are gluttons. They think they have a metabolic problem rather than a sinful love of food. Few gluttons believe they are living in sin and they do not ask forgiveness for it. Gluttony is a pandemic in America and it is prevalent in the churches. Far too many pastors are gluttons and only a fraction of them think it is a sin. Gluttony is one sin that is overlooked in most churches because most of the pastors and members are gluttons.
“Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things” (Proverbs 3:19).
The Bible is very clear on taking care of our bodies:
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Gluttony sometimes is a manifestation of other sins. It is a love of food, but it can also be a sign that the person is a sluggard (lazy). Most often it shows that the person has low self-worth and is weak-willed. All of these qualities hinder spiritual growth. In Christ we are made whole and through Him we can overcome any type of unbalanced behavior or lifestyle choices.
Any sin that is not dealt with through forgiveness and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT breaks fellowship with the Father, Son and HOLY SPIRIT. A Christian who is a glutton for years or decades is not truly abiding in Christ (John 15.1-6) and is not being used by God to the fullest extent. Those are hard words to hear for many people. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:1-6).