The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony

The Seven Deadly Sins 

Gluttony: “Chasing the Wind”

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

The vice of Gluttony is the of our heart to constantly want more –

it’s a quest for , the pursuit of .

“How does the mundane act of taking in food impact our spiritual life?”

Gluttony is being primarily focused on the of 

for the purpose of self-gratification. 

The heart issue is when we become  

by the need for pleasure, when pleasure becomes an

Ecclesiastes 1:17

“I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind.”

Ecclesiastes 1:8 “No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.”

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 

Anything in this world used for the sole purpose of personal gain and gratification 

will leave a person ultimately feeling

Gluttonous behavior is an indicator of spiritual .

What is the spiritual discipline to help the Christ follower remedy gluttony?

The Remedy… Fasting.

Intentionally doing and actually being empty is a cure for the over-indulgence which leaves us feeling .  

A good question to consider as it relates to gluttony, is not how much is too much, but how difficult would it be to have to give something up or do without?

Fasting is going without food for a set period of time

Abstaining is choosing to go without something.

“Fasting is the natural, inevitable response of a person 

to a grievous sacred moment in life.” Scot McKnight

We aren’t meant to live over-indulgent lives that center solely on ourselves.

The best remedy for gluttony is to respond by intentionally doing without – abstaining from an area of over-indulgence. This is an opportunity to ask God to release you from its vice grip.

Matthew 6:16-18

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting.  I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything will reward you.”

Martin Luther encouraged fasting, “to teach people to live more moderately.”

Which of course, is why it’s such a great response to our grievous recognition of our gluttonous ways.