Gluttony, often defined as excessive indulgence in food or drink, is addressed in the Bible as a matter of self-control and discipline. The scriptures remind us of the importance of moderation and balance in our eating habits, encouraging us to honor our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Verses about gluttony highlight the need to be mindful of our consumption and the consequences that indulgence can have on our health and spiritual well-being.
These verses serve as reminders to cultivate a spirit of self-discipline and to approach food with an attitude of thankfulness rather than excess. By reflecting on these teachings, we can strive for a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes our physical health and spiritual growth.
Bible Verses About Gluttony
Understanding Gluttony in the Bible
“The glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” – Proverbs 23:21
More Related Verses:
“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!” – Amos 6:1
“He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” – Proverbs 21:17
“And they shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.” – Ezekiel 39:18
Biblical Definitions of Gluttony
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” – Romans 13:14
More Related Verses:
“You shall not eat bread or drink wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.” – Numbers 6:3
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
“For many walk, of whom I told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” – Philippians 3:18
Also read: 31 Bible Verses About Christmas (with Related Verses)
Consequences of Gluttony in Scripture
“When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.” – Proverbs 23:1-2
More Related Verses:
“They ate and were filled; for He gave them what they craved. But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them.” – Psalm 106:14-15
“The indulgences of the flesh lead to destruction, while the spirit leads to salvation.” – Galatians 6:8
“Do not be among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.” – Proverbs 23:20-21
Gluttony as a Spiritual Struggle
“For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” – Romans 7:18
More Related Verses:
“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” – Romans 7:21
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Insights from Proverbs on Eating
“Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.” – Proverbs 24:13
More Related Verses:
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” – Proverbs 24:27
“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20
“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” – Proverbs 15:16
The Role of Self-Control in Avoiding Gluttony
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28
More Related Verses:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus’ Teachings on Self-Denial
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24
More Related Verses:
“And whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:25
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'” – John 4:34
Old Testament Warnings Against Excessive Eating
“And when you eat and are full, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” – Deuteronomy 8:10
More Related Verses:
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills.” – Deuteronomy 8:7
“When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.” – Deuteronomy 8:10
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today.” – Deuteronomy 8:11
The Connection Between Gluttony and Idolatry
“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” – Philippians 3:19
More Related Verses:
“And he said to them, ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.'” – Luke 12:15
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:21
Fasting as a Remedy for Gluttony
“But he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:29
More Related Verses:
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:6
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.” – Matthew 6:16
The Importance of Moderation
“And have not become addicted to wine or violent, but are gentle, peaceable, and free from the love of money.” – 1 Timothy 3:3
More Related Verses:
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” – Philippians 4:5
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
“Do not be among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh.” – Proverbs 23:20
Parables Related to Eating Habits
“And he said to them, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.'” – Luke 14:12
More Related Verses:
“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.'” – Luke 14:23
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
“And the kingdom of God will be made like ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” – Matthew 25:1
Lessons from Bible Characters Who Struggled with Gluttony
“And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the Lord; the fat thereof, and the whole fat thereof, he shall take away.” – Leviticus 3:16
More Related Verses:
“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it; and His anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burned among them.” – Numbers 11:1
“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” – 1 Peter 3:13
“And he said, ‘Is he not rightly called deceiver, for he has deceived me these two times?'” – Genesis 27:36
The Benefits of Healthy Eating According to Scripture
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” – Psalm 128:2
More Related Verses:
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.” – Psalm 107:9
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Gluttony and Community Responsibility
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
More Related Verses:
“For we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
The Impact of Gluttony on Physical Health
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
More Related Verses:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” – Proverbs 10:4
New Testament Perspectives on Eating and Drinking
“And do not become drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
More Related Verses:
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17
“If you are suspicious about what you eat and drink, it shows that you lack faith.” – Romans 14:23
“And let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.” – Romans 14:3
The Cultural Context of Gluttony in the Bible
“And they have made my house a den of robbers; but you have made it a den of thieves.” – Jeremiah 7:11
More Related Verses:
“And he said to them, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'” – Luke 12:1
“Then Jesus sent the multitude away, for they ate and were filled, and He took up what was left of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.” – Matthew 14:20
“For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
Spiritual Disciplines to Combat Gluttony
“Train yourself for godliness.” – 1 Timothy 4:7
More Related Verses:
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.” – 2 Peter 1:5
“And he said, ‘The man who is an Isralite indeed, in whom there is no guile!'” – John 1:47
“Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
Encouraging Others to Avoid Gluttony
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
More Related Verses:
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house.” – Deuteronomy 6:7
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
“And he said unto them, ‘Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'” – Mark 16:15
Reflections on Thankfulness and Eating
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 136:1
More Related Verses:
“And when you eat and are full, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” – Deuteronomy 8:10
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” – Philippians 4:5
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Role of Gratitude in Eating Habits
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:4
More Related Verses:
“And they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark.” – Matthew 24:38
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Mindful Eating: A Biblical Approach
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
More Related Verses:
“For you are what you eat; you shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the blood is the life.” – Deuteronomy 12:23
“Take care of yourselves and of the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” – Acts 20:28
“And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!'” – Mark 7:9
The Joy of Eating in God’s Creation
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit.'” – Genesis 1:29
More Related Verses:
“And you shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” – Psalm 128:2
“Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:4
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8
Final Thoughts
Gluttony is often misunderstood, but through these verses, we see that the Bible calls us to a balanced and moderate approach to eating. It’s not just about the quantity of food consumed, but also the attitude and intentions behind our eating habits. Understanding the spiritual significance of self-control and gratitude can transform our relationship with food.
We are reminded that gluttony can lead to physical and spiritual consequences, and thus we are encouraged to cultivate habits of moderation, mindful eating, and thankfulness. Eating should nourish not only our bodies but also our spirits.