THE
GLUT OF GLUTTONY
BREAD
31 So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
20 Do not
join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons
become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:20-21 (NIV)
19 The
acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
debauchery; 20 idolatry
and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,
dissensions, factions 21 and
envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that
those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
7 He who
keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his
father. Proverbs 28:7 (NIV)
The
man who fears God will avoid all [extremes]. Ecclesiastes 7:18 (NIV)
12 I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned
the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through
him who gives me strength. Philippians
4:12-13 (NIV)
7 Do not
be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his
sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to
please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in
doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore,
as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers. Galatians
6:7-10 (NIV)
19 And my
God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians
4:19 (NIV)
8 And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Before
the fall of Rome, the Romans were given to gluttony, immorality, and drunkenness. They dug their graves with their teeth,
killed themselves by illicit indulgence, and embalmed themselves with alcohol. It is said that, at their sumptuous banquets,
men would rush to the windows, eject the contents of their stomachs, and then
return to the table for further indulgence.
No individual or nation given to drunkenness and gluttony can expect the
blessing of God. Rome fell because she
overstuffed her body and starved her soul.
Such gluttony is a perversion of a natural, God-given appetite. The gratification of our fleshly appetites is
not to receive first importance in our lives.
When we cater to the appetites of the flesh we become guilty of the sin
of gluttony.” Billy Graham
“Gluttony
deals with so much more than mere food and drink. It is the ‘I see, I desire, I indulge, I
indulge, I indulge’ mentality on anything the flesh craves. It is the total lack of restraint, the not pulling
back hard on the reigns of self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit and
desire is given free rein to gallop a life straight out of control. The desire becomes the god and our God will
not share His rightful throne with anybody or anything. When is enough, enough?” BHY
“Scripture permits us to broaden the
definition of idolatry so that it includes anything on which we set our
affections and indulge as an excessive and sinful attachment. Therefore, the idols that we can see are
certainly not the whole problem.
Idolatry includes anything we worship:
the lust for pleasure, respect, love, power, control, or freedom from
pain. Futhermore, the problem is not
outside of us….the problem is in us….the heart’s instinctive plotting in this
idol construction is amazing. We know we
are called to imitate God. This means we
are to live for His glory, not our own.
We are to make Him famous, not ourselves….the purpose of all idolatry is
to manipulate the idol for our own benefit…..but (we) need the power of God,
the message of Christ crucified and risen.
Other therapies can offer sobriety, but only this good news is powerful
enough to liberate the soul.” Ed Welch
“Each day we
either live for God or for other gods.
In each moment of hardship we fear either God or man. When we choose to worship gods and fear men
our lives will suffer an emptiness and turmoil that is not much different than
trying to fill our bellies with dirt. At
first we may feel full, but in short order our violation of God’s plan will
lead to torment.” Dan Allender
“No one has ever
lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.”
H. A. Ironside
HEART
SAVOR
·
As Christians we do have self-control – it is a fruit of the
Spirit. We are to fan that baby into
flames in our lives! 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. Galatians
5:22-23 (NIV)
·
I can do all things through Christ Who give me strength.
·
God will not share His throne with anything or anyone. Apart from Him, there is to be no god.
