Gluttony seems to be a sin that Christians like to ignore. We are often quick  to label smoking and drinking as sins, but for some reason gluttony is accepted  or at least tolerated. Many of the arguments used against smoking and drinking,  such as health and addiction, apply equally to overeating. Many believers would  not even consider having a glass of wine or smoking a cigarette but have no  qualms about gorging themselves at the dinner table. This should not  be!

Proverbs  23:20-21 warns us, “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.” Proverbs  28:7 declares, “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of  gluttons disgraces his father.” Proverbs  23:2 proclaims, “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”

Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves.  If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to  control other habits, such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, anger) and  unable to keep our mouths from gossip or strife. We are not to let our appetites  control us, but we are to have control over our appetites. (See Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:2, 2 Peter 1:5-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2  Corinthians 10:5.) The ability to say “no” to anything in  excess—self-control—is one of the fruits of the Spirit common to all believers  (Galatians  5:22).

God has blessed us by filling the earth with foods that are  delicious, nutritious, and pleasurable. We should honor God’s creation by  enjoying these foods and by eating them in appropriate quantities. God calls us  to control our appetites, rather than allowing them to control us.