The diet industry rakes in billions and its consumers lose a little poundage (now and then a poster boy breaks forth because he lost a lot) but most go off the program and gain it all back. And maybe more because of reactive bingeing. So, around and around we go. In our land of plenty most of us are very familiar with 'the battle of the bulge.' (Losing weight is a fight.) We joke a lot about it but perhaps we better should remind ourselves that obesity is a major health issue in our land. It contributes to many bodily problems and causes some. Ask any doctor.
And think about this: As Christians shouldn't we be concerned that in all the 'diet' talk, little is said about what the Bible says. Let's see: have I ever heard obesity mentioned in a sermon? But then, during the civil rights battle fifty years ago, did I hear much from evangelicals how to address those important issues? Not much.
But the Bible does speak to the obesity issue. Remember, one segment of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23) is SELF-CONTROL. Does not this, in part, pertain to eating in a control-mode? But, let us become acquainted with the clincher of all clinchers in the Bible about over-eating. It is Proverbs 23:21: "For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with rags." What? The drunkard and the glutton are referenced in the same verse, with a warning attached? They are and are equally cautioned. Read the verse again, ponder it and pray over it, if necessary. If the Holy Spirit produces "self-control" wouldn't He be ready to assist a prayer desiring this holy quality? Isn't His enabling grace available for such a request?
Gluttons dig their own graves with their teeth. The health industry informs us about all the physical issues relative to gluttony. Medical costs sore. And, on another note, the inability to control the intake of my food relates to the practice of self-control or the bridling of all my passions in life. Thomas a Kempis said, "Bridle the appetite of gluttony and thou wilt with less difficulty restrain all other inordinate desires of animal nature." I guess over-eating along with any kind of over-indulgence was a problem in his day too. Of course, because the entrance of sin in the human race emaciated the ability to say "no" to any craving of the human constitution.
Matthew Henry remarked, "The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial." Christians may very well avail themselves of the world's proven diet programs (if they can afford them), but should also with open Bible and ardent prayer ask God for the 'won't' power for harnessing all wrongful and self-indulging inclinations. A.W. Tozer declared, "There is a sweet theology of heart that is only learned in the school of renunciation." Hence, our Savior fasted! And, hence, I'd better go to the cupboard and toss those Little Debbies.
-dick christen
