Teaching children about avoiding gluttony from a Biblical perspective is essential. From a medical point of view over-eating or gluttony can be linked to various medical and psychiatric problems. Also in the bible (Genesis 27), Isaac’s carnal desire for tasty venison (meat from a deer) led to the unintended blessing of Jacob, forever altering the course of their lives.
Let’s explore briefly what the Bible says about this topic:
Understanding Gluttony:
- Gluttony is not merely about being overweight or enjoying food. It goes beyond outward appearances.
- Jesus was wrongly accused of being a glutton, emphasizing that it involves more than physical appearance (Luke 7:34).
- Gluttony is generally associated with drunkenness, as both sins share similar root causes. However, they are not identical. While we need food to survive, we do not need alcohol (1 Peter 4:3; Proverbs 23:31).
- Even casual alcohol use is considered wrong in the Bible.
What would be the characteristic of a child that is gluttonous?
A gluttonous child may exhibit the following characteristics:
- Excessive Eating: A gluttonous child consumes large quantities of food beyond what is necessary for nourishment. They may overindulge during meals or snack excessively.
- Lack of Self-Control: Gluttony involves a lack of self-control. The child may struggle to stop eating even when full, disregarding signals from their body.
- Obsession with Food: Gluttony often leads to an unhealthy preoccupation with food. The child may constantly think about eating, plan meals excessively, or crave specific foods.
- Emotional Eating: Gluttony can be linked to emotions. The child may turn to food for comfort, stress relief, or boredom, rather than eating for sustenance.
- Ignoring Health Consequences: A gluttonous child may ignore the health implications of overeating. They might disregard weight gain, nutritional imbalances, or other health risks.
- Waste of Resources: Gluttony is wasteful. The child may consume more than necessary, leading to food wastage and inefficient use of resources.
- Lack of Gratitude: Gluttony often stems from ingratitude. Instead of appreciating the provision of food, the child takes it for granted.
- Physical Signs: Obesity or excessive weight gain can be a visible sign of gluttony. However, it’s essential to recognize that gluttony isn’t solely about physical appearance.
How to help a child overcome gluttony?
Helping a child overcome gluttony involves a combination of practical strategies and fostering a healthy mindset. Here are some tips:
Celebrate Their Love for Food:
Acknowledge and show appreciation for how much your child enjoys food and tastes. Celebrate their curiosity and interest in different Flavors.
Teach Self-Awareness:
Empower your child to become their own “body expert.” Encourage them to listen carefully to their stomach signals. Help them recognize when they are full or satisfied.
Mindfulness:
Promote mindful eating. Encourage your child to eat slowly, Savor each bite, and pay attention to the experience of eating. This approach allows natural satiety cues to kick in, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
Set a Positive Example:
Model healthy eating habits yourself. Demonstrate self-control and moderation in your own food choices.
Avoid Emotional Eating:
Discuss emotions and feelings with your child. Help them find alternative ways to cope with emotions rather than turning to food.
Create a Supportive Environment:
Stock the kitchen with nutritious foods. Limit access to unhealthy snacks. Encourage family meals and positive conversations during eating.
Educate About Nutrition:
Teach your child about balanced meals, portion sizes, and the importance of nutrients. Involve them in meal planning and preparation.
Monitor Screen Time and Sleep:
Limit digital screens (phones, tablets) before bedtime. Ensure your child gets enough restful sleep
Some Bible strategies to use in conjunction with practical strategies in helping children overcome gluttony
Being a Good Steward:
Solomon warned that gluttony leads to poverty (Proverbs 23:20-21). The root word implies being lavish or a squanderer.
As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the blessings God has given us (Proverbs 3:9-10; 13:22; 1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Gluttony abuses the blessing of food that God has provided (Acts 14:17). Teach your child not to be wasteful and only eat what they need for sustenance. Let them learn to be good stewards of every blessing God gives them-including food!
Avoiding Laziness:
Paul referred to the Cretans as “lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). God’s people are to be hardworking (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Gluttony is connected with laziness (Proverbs 23:21; 6:9-11). It focuses on food to the neglect of one’s responsibilities. Encourage your child to stay active. This is beneficial for both their physical and emotional health.
Tips for Encouraging Physical Activity:
- Lead by Example: Be active yourself, and your child will follow suit.
- Make It Fun: Choose activities your child enjoys, whether it’s dancing, cycling, swimming, or playing tag.
- Limit Screen Time: Encourage outdoor play and limit sedentary screen time.
- Family Activities: Go for walks and talk about the bible with them. Go on hikes, or bike rides together.
- Celebrate Achievements: Praise your child’s efforts and progress.
Self-Control:
It is important that you teach your children the virtue of self-control. Paul compared food with sexual relations, emphasizing that both require self-control (1 Corinthians 6:13, 16-18). Christians must exercise self-control to please God (2 Peter 1:6, 8; Galatians 5:22-23). We should not allow anything, including food, to master us (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Help your child develop a spiritual mindset in Christ through renewal by God’s word
Romans 12:2; Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. NLT
Gluttony reflects a carnal mindset. Some make their appetite their god (Philippians 3:19).
Instead, we should focus on spiritual things, show gratitude, and recognize that life is more than food (Matthew 6:25).
Serving God in His kingdom should be a higher priority than food (Matthew 6:33; Romans 14:16-17, 20).
By helping our children focus more on God’s word, we will find that over-time the Holy-Spirit will begin to transform their mindset into one the puts God first above everything and anything else.
Prayer:
James 5:13a; Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. NLT
When there are things in our lives that are not in line with God’s will, we must pray about it. Prayer allows God to intervene in the situation. Hence the issue of gluttony is no different. Take it to God in prayer. Also teach your child to pray about it. I believe that there is a dark spirit of gluttony that the devil sends to afflict the souls of men. Therefore steadfast and fervent prayers in the name of Jesus Christ will dislodge and break their influence over your child’s life
Conclusion: Educate your children that as Christians, we must avoid the sin of gluttony. It is not a prohibition against enjoying food but a charge to be good stewards, hardworking, exercise self-control, and be spiritually minded.
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name“
