The 5th of 7... part 1...

Four down, only three to go, and this one that I'm about to tackle was one that I initially didn't see as being all that bad.  However, upon some deeper thought, I have found it to be worthy of its placement in this group, and for one specific reason... but we'll get to that soon enough.  This one, dear friends, is gluttony.

"Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

Philippians 3:19, ESV

Have you ever heard that you should do all things "in moderation?"  It is a timeless principle, and great advice for anyone, really.  With no intention of offending any particular person for any particular abuse, let's just look at this honestly.  Too much food can cause obesity; too much alcohol can cause alcoholism; too much of any narcotic can bring an addiction; too many drugs can bring a plethora of addictions (referring to both illegal and prescription); too much fast driving (without being caught or hurt) produces recklessness and arrogance; too much frivolity erases severity; too much severity can also erase frivolity; too much TV removes the need for imagination; too much sun can cause cancer; the list goes on and on and on and on.

Granted, there is probably that one person you know who can eat fast food four times a day and never gain weight.  There is also a person you know who seems to never, ever be inebriated, even though they drink all the time.  There may even be a person who takes multiple pills for multiple things (some to counteract the others), and they never seem to have any illnesses or addictions.  However, these are one-off cases of pure luck and circumstance, and they are not normal.  What is normal, in our fleshly nature, is to fall from the wisdom of seeking Christ's joy, and seek out only the fleshly pleasures that can exist.  We trick ourselves into thinking that we NEED that food, or we NEED that drink, or we NEED that drug, and then we have become slaves to another god.

And yes, I do see it as idol worship, because we fall from reliance upon the Father and lean onto something earthly for our sense of peace.  That is idolatry, no matter how you frame it.  It's putting something before the Father.

Now, before someone starts writing picket signs, please know that I do understand that addiction is difficult, and that it is not as easy as just putting it down and walking away.  People are there to help, though, and as long as the help is ignored and the fleshly desire runs free, then the addiction is in control.  The moment that one decides to seek help, and find peace, and start walking the path back to God, though, their gluttonous behavior begins to end.  And THAT, Christian sibling, is cause for celebration!

We must make the effort to set our minds on the things above, and remove from our desires the wants of the flesh.  We have to be renewed in the mind, CONSTANTLY, and transformed by the power outflowing from the Resurrection of Christ that transforms us all into new and different creatures.  We must learn to abstain from those things that are permissible, but not beneficial.  We must recognize that the Word (yes, THE WORD) has already spoken on your gluttonous wants and mine, and He is providing a way of escape for us... but we must seek it out!

God bless you all!!!