Proverbs
23:1-3—“When you sit down to dine with a ruler, note well what is
before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to
gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is
deceptive.”
Definition: “Gluttony” is an appetite out of
control, to be mastered by your appetites, excess eating or drinking or
excessive indulgence.
1 Cor. 6:19,20—“Know that your body is the
temple of God, who is in you, and you have been bought with a price,
therefore glorify God with your body.”
1. The Root of Gluttony
Phil.
3:18-20—“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even
with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their
destiny is destruction and their god is their stomach, and their glory
is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things, but our
citizenship is in heaven.”
a. Incapable of satisfying
b. Indulgent
c. Intoxicating
2. The Reality of Gluttony
Prov.
23:21—“Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right
path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or who gorge
themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and
drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
Note: Gluttony is putting the things of this world before the things of God.
a. Gluttony is a deliberate branch of faith against God.
b. Gluttony is poverty to your life.
c. Gluttony is poison to your body.
3. The Remedy of Gluttony—(Learn to eat properly)
a. Enjoy your Blessings
b. Account to others
c. Train your body
Key: Desire to be mastered by God and not by the god of food.
This is where the concept of fasting arises.
Fasting is refraining from food for the purpose of disciplining your body to trust in the Lord to be your provision.
1
Cor. 6:12—“Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is
beneficial. Everything is permissible for me—but I will not be
mastered by anything.”
1 Tim. 4:7—Have nothing to do with
godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be
godly. Physical training is of some value, but godliness has
value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the
life to come.”
Fasting first mention in the Bible—Exodus 34:28
Purpose of fasting:
To seek God by denying the physical in order to focus on the spiritual.
(Nehemiah 1:4)
Isa. 58 is God’s 9 main purposes for fasting:
To get freedom from addictions—v.6
To solve problems—vs. 6
For reviving of ones heart—vs. 6
To conquer mental and emotional problems—vs. 6
To meet physical needs of others—vs. 7
For clearer insight in decision-making—vs. 8
For health reasons –vs. 8
For a more righteous life—vs. 8
For the glory of the Lord, to protect us from the evil one—vs. 8
The benefits of fasting:
More time to pray
Makes our heart more attentive to God
Demonstrates to God our seriousness
Potential Dangers of Fasting:
Attempting to manipulate God with our fasting
Attempting to impress others
Becoming legalistic about fasting
Becoming prideful about fasting
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