Fat sinners and Phat sinners, which are you?

I know it has been a while since I last posted and I am really trying hard to manage myself and time better as the game of life gets crazier. I wanted to share something very near and dear to my heart. Some of you may know that I am a personal trainer and I take health very seriously. We are often faced with a news paper article, news broadcast, or something from the government about American being obese. I hate to add to all the bad news but America is simply just fat, not “phat!”
We have surrendered to a want versus a need in our culture and we are teaching it to our younger generation. Our lives have become so busy and fast pace that not only are we putting God on the back burner but we are also putting our own lives in the trash can
Question: "Is gluttony a sin? What does the Bible say about overeating?"

Answer: 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 to the point that they feel like they are going to explode. 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 mouth from gossip or strife. We are not to let our appetites control us, but rather we are to have control over our appetites. (See Deuteronomy 21:20; 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 even pleasurable. We should honor God's creation by enjoying these foods and by eating them in appropriate quantities, while controlling our appetites, rather than allowing them to control us.

Ultimately we have a responsibility to take care of the temple God has given us. We also have a responsibility to teach our children and live by example. Kids learn by what they see us do. It tears at my heart to see children and youth that are obese. Because if they are obese at an adolescent age then what will they become like when they are adult, or will they even reach adult hood. You can almost bet that if the children are obese the parents are to blame and are obese themselves with exceptions to medical conditions.

So lets get off the fat and believe that we can overcome all obstacles. Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me”. Not some things all things including gluttony. Any questions or comments email tedlinn@edgeyouth.org. I will answer any and all questions that I can.