I
recently saw a wonderful post about controlling our appetites, which prompted
me to write my own message. I truly feel
that part of the problem (if not the biggest problem!) is that most seem to
have no self-control when it comes to their appetites (whatever they might be).
Exercising control is NOT easy,
especially when it comes to our carnal desires for food, drink, drugs or sex
and other pleasures (such as buying whatever we want on credit, and/or “trying
to keep up with the Joneses”). People want
what they want without ever realizing that Scripture tells us "gluttony"
is a sin....
Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
Proverbs 28:7 declares, “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” Proverbs 23:2 proclaims, “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
While I’m certainly no expert on “gluttony” (I have the opposite problem where I don’t think I deserve ANYTHING!), I’ve noticed over the course of my life that some who are unable to control their eating habits, are often also unable to control other habits, such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, anger) and/or they’re unable to keep their mouths from gossip or strife. (You don’t have to have an “eating” problem to have a problem with those last two!)
Scripture is clear, however, that we are not to let our appetites control us; rather, we are to have control over our appetites. (See Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:2, 2 Peter 1:5-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2 Corinthians 10:5.) The ability to say “no” to anything in excess—self-control—is one of the fruits of the Spirit common to all believers (Galatians 5:22).
We ALL suffer from something that is displeasing to YHWH in some way, and AWARENESS is key to stopping the offense. Some things we cannot do alone, and for those I recommend finding a biblical counselor who will be able to not only provide scriptural guidance, but help you to discover the root of the behavior that you know deep down is displeasing to YHWH – who will definitely be with you, every step of the way.
Shalom and blessings, and may He guide and keep you as
you continue to become as Refined Silver, ready to kick old habits out the door.
Shali, I have learned "moderation is the key" when it comes to certain things. One thing in the past I used to be critical of was credit cards as I heard about people who had bad experiences with them. I was told as long as you control it and not have it control you it is ok. A short time later I got a credit card myself and learned to use it wisely.
ReplyDeleteYou're very wise, Kevin! Most people don't seem to realize that their behavior gets them into trouble. They refuse to see that not curbing their credit card use WILL get them deeply into debt. And suddenly, they're up to their eyeballs in debt, but it's not THEIR fautl, oh no...it's the governments' fault or the fault of their employer who won't give them a pay raise, or whatever. Most people, it seems, don't use their brains.
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