I've decided to do a "series" of posts on the practical applications of sin. You're probably thinking, What?! Well, most people don't really think of sins as being very serious and a lot of others think that because we "now live under grace" it doesn't matter any more. I don't mean to always come off so critical, but the things we excuse ourselves for has gotten completely out of hand. If I can see and feel sadness and remorse, imagine how God feels who only wants whats best for us and we won't listen.
The sin of gluttony is basically consuming more than you need. Here is Websters definition for you. (n.) Excess in eating; extravagant indulgence of the appetite for food; voracity.
Now most of us know the obvious result of gluttony. We get fat. No need to expound on that and if you ask me how fat is too fat I will figuratively smack you. Figure it out for yourself. If your pants start getting tight, something needs to change! Some of the less talked about consequences are health problems. Everything from diabetes to colon cancer! You complain if the guy next to you smokes a cigarette while you gorge yourself on what can barely be called food everyday!? If I smoke a cigarette knowing it is killing me, how is that any more stupid than someone eating pie and cake when they have diabetes? What you are doing will absolutely result in your death and yet you feel justified because you have to eat. Well, you don't have to eat poison! You are killing yourself and probably your children? BE HONEST! You know full well that if you have poor eating habits your children most likely will too. Why not just give them a cigarette and a beer and be done with pretending to be a good parent?! You'll probably balk and be offended at the very idea, but look at it truthfully. You are instilling habits and desires in your children that will eventually kill them!
How about the financial consequences of gluttony? The extra money spent on food you shouldn't be eating in the first place, washing extra dishes, driving to the nearest drive thru, going to the dentist to have teeth filled, visiting a doctor for ANY of the following; diabetes, esophogeal reflux, heartburn, digestive problems, mood swings,food allergies, high blood pressure? I am not saying you should never have an indulgence,but nobody really needs to eat chocolate cake. So once in a while you might indulge in a "guilty pleasure" (ever wonder why it's called that?), but no one for any reason should ever eat chocolate cake everyday!
Why not just smoke some crack? The only difference is that crack is illegal! Chocolate cake is full of chemicals and sugar which is highly addictive and will ruin your health, your finances and your skin, rot your teeth and alter your personality. Nobody wants to see it that way because it is "food" and crack is just a drug. Good excuse for your addiction, don't you think? How about the amount of money you spend buying new clothes when the old ones don't fit anymore? Did you ever think that if you maintained a healthy weight/size you could buy quality clothes that would last you longer and feel better on your skin? Trust me, as a seamstress I can attest that there is a huge difference in the quality of fabrics!
Now let's get to the spiritual part of it all. Don't you realize that the money you save could be spent buying Bibles for the needy, or sponsoring the ministry of your choice? Or that the physically healthy you could get on your knees to pray easier, or have the energy to go help your neighbors clean up after a fire, or just babysit your grandchildren once in a while? Think of all the love that would spread?! How about the demons that can only come out by fasting and prayer? I guess they are running rampant in the good ole US of A because we can't stop eating long enough to dispatch them. Or how about just because God said so in His word?
I have explained many of the practical reasons NOT to overindulge, but can we never just "come as little children" and do it because God says so. Why do we always have to elevate ourselves to the level of God in our minds and demand an explanation?! God owes us nothing! If we are dumb enough to kill ourselves why should He intervene? How many of us know someone who has died as either a direct or indirect result of their own actions? How many of those actions went against what the Bible says? How many of you tried to blame God for your loss? Wake up folks. It is not God's will that any man should perish. It is our own will that is killing us.
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." Math 7;15
"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." Proverbs 19:5
There are quotes aplenty to defend your ... more