Gluttony is often classified as one of the seven deadly sins within the Christian faith. This overindulgence in food or drink, as the Bible dictates, is not only harmful to one’s physical well-being but throws off spiritual balance as well. Yet, these teachings on gluttony in the Bible are not purely prohibitive – they also explore ways to live a balanced, moderate life that honors God’s intentions for His creation. Challenging as it can be in a world filled with fast food and endless consumer culture, understanding and living by these teachings can result in a more fulfilling, spiritually enriched life.
What the Bible teaches about gluttony
At its core, the Bible suggests that gluttony is a sign of an uncontrolled self. The idea is not to eliminate food and drink but to be mindful of quantities consumed. Through these teachings, the Bible encourages balance, self-discipline and spiritual growth by avoiding the temptation to overindulge. When eating and drinking are moderated, they can be appreciated as God’s gifts, promoting physical health and spiritual tranquility.
Where gluttony is cautioned against in the Bible
References to gluttony can be found throughout the Bible, predominantly in the book of Proverbs – a wisdom book that offers guidance on how to live righteously. Here, gluttony is depicted as destructive behavior leading to poverty and disgrace. The theme of moderation, echoing throughout these verses, serves as a strong caution against overindulgence in earthly pleasures. Such self-indulgence is painted as a path deviating from the moral upright, which believers are urged to tread.
Why gluttony is considered sinful according to the Bible
The Bible discusses gluttony in conjunction with other sins such as laziness and drunkenness, which point towards a lack of self-control. Gluttony reflects a disordered desire that prioritizes fleeting pleasure over spiritual wellbeing. It is thus seen as a barrier to developing a meaningful relationship with God, inhibiting one’s spiritual growth. For the devout, overcoming gluttony is about pursuing spiritual sustenance over physical, reshaping our desires to align with God’s will.
When resisting gluttony can bring us closer to God
Resisting gluttony, as the Bible teaches, is not merely a matter of self-denial or dietary restraint. It’s about recognizing and acknowledging our dependency on God. Through moderating our reliance on material sustenance, we are invited to deepen our relationship with the divine, to build a life that leans more on spiritual fulfillment than on physical satisfaction. Resisting the temptation of overindulgence, then, becomes an opportunity to grow closer to God, affirming our trust and dependence on Him over earthly things.
Below is the full list of bible verses on gluttony (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Gluttony
Philippians 3:19
“19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
Related Themes: Indulgence Overeating
Proverbs 23:20-21
“20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Related Themes: Indulgence Lust Health
Proverbs 23:2
“2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.”
Related Themes: Money Overeating Food Joy
Proverbs 25:16
“16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
Related Themes: Health Temperance Food Moderation
Proverbs 23:21
“21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Related Themes: Idleness Indulgence
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Related Themes: Holiness Holy Spirit Omnipresence Holy Spirit
Psalm 78:18
“18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.”
Related Themes: Lust
Philippians 3:18-19
“18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Related Themes: Pride Dating Food Health Technology
Deuteronomy 21:20
“20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.”
Related Themes: Lust Respecting Your Parents Indulgence
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
Romans 13:14
“14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Related Themes: Lust Purity Addiction Indulgence
1 Corinthians 6:12
“12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Related Themes: Addiction Technology Freedom Sports
Proverbs 23:20
“20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:”
Related Themes: Indulgence Lust Health
Proverbs 28:7
“7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.”
Related Themes: Discernment
Galatians 5:16-26
“16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Related Themes: Lust Sin Holy Spirit Indulgence
Matthew 11:19
“19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
1 Corinthians 6:19
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
Luke 7:34
“34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”
Romans 12:1
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
James 4:7
“7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Related Themes: Lust Bitterness Addiction Satan Surrender
Titus 1:12
“12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”
Related Themes: Prejudice
Ecclesiastes 10:17
“17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!”
Colossians 3:5
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
Galatians 5:22-23
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Arguing Criticism Self-Control Strangers
1 John 2:16
“16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Matthew 4:4
“4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Fasting Lust Food
Luke 21:34
“34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
Proverbs 23:1-3
“1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.”
Related Themes: Money Reputation Lust Manners
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
