The Gospel and My Waistline

// August 11th, 2009 // Christian Living

fatIt’s always bothered me that some preachers can rant about the evils of smoking while they are obese because after the ranting sermon they belly up to the buffet at the Golden Corral.  They condemn the splinter in their neighbor’s eye but fail to see the double chocolate milkshake in their own.  I think there are lots of reasons for this, but one big one is that gluttony is one sin that is still off limits in the south.  You can talk about a lot of things, even sex.  Just don’t mess with my dinner plate.

This has to change.

I’ve struggled with gluttony for years.  I say it that way intentionally.  It’s not a weight problem.  It’s not that my Momma didn’t teach me how to eat.  It’s not that I was spanked when I was little (or wasn’t spanked).  It’s not that I don’t know how to eat healthy.  I’m fat because I’m a sinner that would rather eat until I’m in pain than worship Jesus.  Would I really eat like a pig if I was “walking in the Spirit”?  Galatians 5:16-17 tells me I wouldn’t.  This means that I have to tell God to take 5 while I pig out.  He can come back when I’m done and ready to repent.

The difficult thing about gluttony is that, with this particular sin, you wear its effects around your waist for everyone to see.

So I’ve decided to do something about it, and not the normal something.  You know what I mean.  The “something” where you get up the nerve to go to the gym and eat carrots for a day.  And then quit.

I’m taking a different tack this time.  I’m asking the question, “If the gospel is the power of God, then can I apply the gospel even to how I eat?  Can I find a way to worship Jesus with the way I eat?”  I’ve started a group in our church where we are exploring this idea.  Instead of recipe tips, the scale, weight, and self-image being at the center of what we are doing we will put God, His glory, worship and the gospel at the center.  We will be asking the Holy Spirit to so deeply convict us of our sin and so overwhelm us with His glory that we begin to worship Him with fork in hand.

We’ve been meeting now for 2 weeks and so far it’s been powerful, at least for me.  It’s a powerful thing when a small group of people decide to really take the mask off and tackle the big issues of living for Jesus.

I’ll keep you posted.

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6 Responses to “The Gospel and My Waistline”. Gravatars are enabled.

  1. Tommy says:
    August 11, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I really enjoyed what you wrote. My wife bought the book, What Would Jesus Eat, some years back and it
    changed her life and the thing she chooses to put into her body. Its a good topic and as Pastors it always seems to me someone is inviting us over for dinner and the plate is huge. We have no choice but to eat it,lol
    Good Blog,
    Tommy

    Reply
  2. Lanette says:
    August 11, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Great topic, Ben. Very courageous. I once read an interesting article in the N and O about Southern Baptists being the most overweight Americans. The Southern Baptists interviewed seemed to agree that it's because "they're not allowed to do anything else." Somehow they missed the fact that they're not allowed to do that, either, and that thinking of it in terms of what you're allowed to do is pretty pointless. My best to you and your group :-)

    Reply
    • Ben Cotten says:
      August 11, 2009 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks, Lanette. We're trying to raise the bar some concerning our idea of what christian community can be. I think when it's all about the rules and not about Jesus, you end up with articles like the one you mentioned in the N&O. Really, I think this all comes down to a worship issue.

      Reply
  3. ded says:
    August 16, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Great post, Ben. Gluttony has lost its meaning in our culture probably as function of our affluence. We eat a lot (among other reasons), because we can afford to do so, and since everybody seems to support the idea, (food shows up all times of the day in most group gatherings of any type), we simply consume too many calories as part of a "normal" diet.

    There are many ways to deal with the issue, but the rich yet lean success we seek is gained by turning eating into the spiritual issue it is. Being a spirit being means that wisdom and will springing from the love of God supersedes our bodily desires and directs us otherwise, no? If it is true for controlling our desire for hedonistic pleasures in alcohol, sex, drugs, etc. why not food consumption also?

    May you be blessed to find what you seek. Father is faithful!!

    Reply
  4. Jared says:
    September 2, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Good post. I hope you find this site Biblical and beneficial.

    http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/

    Reply

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