Gluttony
- Is gluttony a sin?
- Is Bulimia a sin?
- How should I address my daughter's Bulimia?
- Is it a sin to be overweight?
Gluttony, if defined properly, is pervasive in American society. The definition of gluttony is excess eating. Yes, that's right excess eating-eating more than is necessary for one's nutritional needs. If this is the true definition of gluttony, I have lived most of my life as a glutton. Recently, I began eating according to nutritional needs. I lost 50 pounds in the process and found my health improve dramatically. I have alleviated headaches, heartburn, high blood pressure, chronic back pains and various other heath problems. My heath problems were due almost exclusively to gluttony.
I know that many of you will find my definition too extreme. However, in my case, I found my health impacting the quality of my life. This, I believe would eventually affect my ministry. I say this, not to bring about a moral paradigm, but to show that gluttony, as a life choice, is bad stewardship.
The answer to the question "Is gluttony a sin?" is that it is not a moral issue but a health issue and poor stewardship of our bodies. Let's not judge each other, but encourage others to make choices that clearly honor God.
One last thought, Scripture does teach there are times of feasting and fasting. I do recommend this to all believers. Feasting should not be a lifestyle. It is for the celebration of life. Fasting may cleanse the body, but can be harmful to the body, if done too often.
I do not see this as a moral issue. I see this as a psychological issue. The pathology of the soul that leads to bulimia has been fully studied. There are many young women carrying guilt over this behavior and the church says, pray more and obey God... you will be fine. This is short sighted and ignores the real problem.
Bulimia is a modern problem that has come from a society that splinters families and worships beauty. The young woman feels she must have control and one thing she can do is a cycle of binging and purging to gain control. The irony is that through the development of this lifestyle the young woman loses control. The shame of this behavior causes hiding the behavior and in most cases hiding from others emotionally and even socially. There are issues of anger, rebellion, body image and control that cause this behavior. A professional therapist should be consulted.
Bulimia is a psychological problem, not a moral issue.
How should I address my daughter's Bulimia?
I would recommend finding a psychologist that specializes in eating disorders to give counsel to your daughter. One thing that causes this behavior is a strong sense of rejection by parents (real or perceived) and a need to be perfect to be approved. I would find a therapist who can help the whole family. The whole family is a part of the problem. Don’t blame your daughter, love her and be willing to admit your mistakes as a parent. You should also avoid blaming yourself, simply get help as soon as possible.
As you pray about this problem, don’t simply pray about the behavior. Pray God will fill your daughter’s heart with His love and yours and that God will transform her heart to fully trust Him.
Most Americans are overweight. Is that sin? I don’t think so. I think, as discussed above, that it is both a health and stewardship issue not a moral one. It is a shame we have people dying only because of obesity. Morbid obesity is at an all time high in America. We need to think through these matters of weight and address them in a biblical fashion.
I recommend you read “Scale Down” a book by my good friend and associate Danna Demetre. You can find this book on www.dannademetre.com. Let the Lord take charge of this area of your life not for greater morality but for health that brings glory to God.