(Proverbs 25:27)
Eating to excess. In my years of ministry, I could always get the "Amen corner" into my sermons when I preached against homosexuality and preached against the more visible sins. On those occasions when I mentioned gluttony, it usually got very quiet. I realize this will be a difficult read for many
today, but that is one reason I am here...to challenge you. Let me say
right up front, gluttony is a sin. Anything you do in excess, to your detriment and to the detriment of your ability to serve God, that is ahead of your daily relationship with God, is a sin. I know that during this Holiday season many will be sitting down to some incredible feasts. I am not saying you
shouldn't, and I am not saying you should not enjoy food. I believe God gave us food to nourish our body and taste buds to enjoy food, and eating is part of
our life. Gluttony, however, refers to eating in excess. I know many fine
men and women of God who have tremendous lives and do great work for the Lord.
However, this is an area where they struggle, and that is why I bring it to you today.
Like all sin, gluttony can be overcome, not in our own strength, but in His.
Like all sin, if you fight this battle, you need a battle plan. God can give you that plan, the strength to carry it out, and the perseverance to get
victory. Like in other sins though, the question becomes, do you really want to win? Do you really want to conquer this foe? Do you even recognize this is a problem in your life?
At this point, you have either accepted through the prompting of the Holy
Spirit that this is an issue in your life, or you have realized that this is
not something you battle with. If you are in the latter category, then I
would encourage you to pray for those who do fight this battle each day. I
have no doubt you know people in your family, school, workplace, and church
that are going through this struggle. Pray for them today. Pray that the Lord
would open their eyes and show them this is a problem. Pray that they will
have the courage, like anyone who is dealing with a particular sin, to admit
it and allow the Lord to walk them to victory.
If you are struggling in this area today, I will be praying specifically for
you today. I realize what a difficult struggle this can be. God is more
than able to give you victory, but my prayer for you today is that you
recognize the issue is very real. I pray that you recognize it as a problem. I am confident that if you take that first step, God can and will help you
overcome this struggle in your life. I love you, care about you, and
realize the sensitive nature of this sin like any sin. But there is no use in
hiding it or candy-coating the problem. It is time to recognize it as a problem, get busy fighting it and letting God help you become victorious over this part of your life.
Don't hesitate to write me if I can pray for you specifically about gluttony
or whatever the struggle you may be facing today. It is no accident you read
this devotional, it is no accident God has placed me in your life for this
season, and it is no accident that God is speaking to you today. I will pray,
stand with you, and try to help any way that I can to see you become all
that the Lord has raised you up to be.
