A little over two years ago, I wrote a message about gluttony. Out of frustration more than motivation, I lashed out on the obese and overweight senselessly. I am glad to say I’ve come a long way since July 2003 and now feel ready to deal with obesity and gluttony…
First and foremost, let me quote scripture I feel defines how we are to treat our bodies according to God’s will: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
With this in mind and the fact obesity is now labeled a chronic disease with strong familial ties, today, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese. Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the US and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion.
Are we to assume all obese people are gluttons? By definition, not necessarily.
What exactly is gluttony? It is simply defined as “Excessive eating; The act or practice of eating and drinking to excess”. Gluttony is also known as “one of the seven deadly sins in Christian tradition” however, there is really no biblical reference to confirm this claim other than these verses in Proverbs: “Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way. Be not among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” (Proverbs 23:19-21)
A health and fitness specialist with a degree in Health Promotion Education, my wife Elizabeth explains a percentage of obese people may consume a “righteous” amount of godly food but that “it is mainly the lack of exercise over an extended period which results in excessive weight gain”.
Independently of exercise which I consider common sense, the bible clearly lays out a righteous menu most Americans continue to ignore. What are godly foods? A good guideline would be to eat “living foods“. Natural, living foods are fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, meats and dairy products. The “dead foods” are those that are highly refined. They not only are expensive, but also in most instances do little to nourish. Many people who consume dead foods are often tired, run down and sick because a large part of their diets are made up of junk food.
The bible tells us a story that should inspire all gluttons. In the book of Daniel, the bible reads: “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s rich food be observed by you, and according to what you see deal with your servants. So he hearkened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s rich food.” (Daniel 1:12-16)
How in this day can someone go from dead foods to living foods? A helpful solution involves keeping a food journal. Journals are not only beneficial to one’s health, they are essential tools for anyone’s spiritual journey. If you do not already keep a journal, maybe now is a good time to start one!
Here’s a proven method for an effective spiritual food journal:
Start each daily entry with “Because I love Jesus and because I love the body you have blessed me with, today I…”
Every Sunday, look back to the previous seven days and pray for God’s strength for the week ahead.
On the last day of each month, share your progress with no less than three friends and family members.
Then, follow God’s commands for your fork and your life:
1. EAT GOD’S APPROVED FOODS LISTED IN THE BIBLE:
Although this list is not complete, it does give the basic foods that the Bible lists as good to eat:
Barley – Ruth 2:23
Bread – Luke 22:19
Butter – Isaiah 7:22
Corn – Ruth 2:14; I Samuel 17:17
Cheese – 1 Samuel 17:18
Dates – Genesis 3:2
Eggs – Job 6:6
Figs – Numbers 13:23; I Samuel 25:18
Fruits (All) – Genesis 1:29
Herbs (Leafy Plants) and Vegetables – Genesis 1:29
Honey – Deuteronomy 8:8
Meats – (Beef, Fish,Lamb,Poultry,Venison) Deuteronomy 14; Leviticus 11
Milk – Isaiah 7:21-22
Nuts – Genesis 43:11
Olives and Olive Oil – Leviticus 2:4; Deuteronomy 8:8
Salt – Leviticus 2:13
Wheat (Bread, Cereal, Pasta) – Psalm 81:16
2. EAT AND DRINK IN MODERATION:
Ask the Lord to help you eat the proper amount of food. Eat and drink only until full. He will help you. He loves you and cares about you. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5)
3. EXERCISE REGULARLY: Though walking is an excellent form of exercise, it may not be sufficient to speed up your metabolism and help burn the calories you are eating or have stored as excess fat. I recommend consulting an exercise or fitness expert to assist in customizing a home fitness program that will ensure success. If you do not already have someone in mind, please consider emailing Elizabeth or I invite you to visit her website for more information on her array of health & fitness services.
4. FAST PERIODICALLY: Fasting helps cleanse the body of toxins that can lead to sickness. “That your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:18)
Follow God’s commands for your life and your body and you will reap rewards on earth and in heaven. Like I once wrote, if the shoe fits, wear it. Otherwise, become an inspiration to those who need to read this message and feel free to copy this text into an email or print it out and offer it as a token of your love.
Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives
And for looking after us, our families and friends,
We thank you for your patience, your wisdom
And for inspiring us to live according to your will.
Lord we ask you to continue to lead our footsteps
To walk a righteous path and try be more like you,
And to humble us so that we may take notice
That no service to you is insignificant.
We pray for your strength and endless grace,
Your unconditional love, your forgiveness,
And ask you to continue shinning your light bright
Upon us and all those who seek you.
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
