Hinderance to revival?

Hold on to your boots straps on this:Charles Finney said "The appetite for food frequently is the occasion for backsliding, yet few christians sense any danger in this area...Show me a gluttonous proffessor of Christ, and I will show you a backslider...Tables ensnare more people than the church is aware of."Could the "table" be one of the snares holding back the church for revival?

Amen, Amen, Amen!!! I am one that has to battle that temptation everyday. Like all temptations prayer and fasting are very effective weapons in the battle.

Yes that may be, then there are those who are listening to the other ten spys. but God needs only two witness's to show us the land of milk and honey. so sit down you ten grass hoppers, I've the jordan to cross. Ive the gideon's the samuels,and moses to meet. men on a mission, men who listen to the call of God and answered yes Lord here am I. and answers is what the lord is asking from us. do we hear the call, the battle cry. Isn't it ironic adam sat by while eve was talking to the devil. and what a ordeal that turned out to be. kinda left us out side of paridise, move over eve I've the enemy to face. eating moved us out, that is the wrong eating. If you think about it eating is a very selfcentered thing that we do. so let's eat God's manna and bread that he has to offer. so come to the bread of life, drink the living water and the wine of the spirit.

We hear very little on eating from the pulpit and books. Ravenhill said he didnt like "big belly preachers". It seems WE overlook gluttony, and pick on alcohol etc.. I've heard alot of holiness preachers preach on worldliness but never speek about the worldliness of over eating. I read one time if WE can discipline our eating habits everything else will fall into place. I'm not over weight at all but I can and do eat to much at times. We dont have to be over weight to be a glutton. Do we even know what it means to eat in moderation? The Lord called us To "deny ourselves", but we fill ourselves. God have mercy on us. "mark them that cause divisions....for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their OWN BELLY..." Romans 16:17-18

I feel so strong about this I am going to break out the old html editor for this post, You are both right and all of my fat brothers and sisters out there here is a little Christian book that will help set you free from this sin. This dear sister went through the same battles and lost year after year, she was defeated, depressed, done in, and doing the donut duty. She broke down in her despair and cried out to God. Surrender, and begged him to help her, and you know what HE did. By revealing scripture after scripture to her and giving her the light and the word of knowledge to over come her addiction to food. After a year her fellow Christians notice how great she looked. She shared her testimony and the words of wisdom based on the Word of God. She started to give classes, more and more. Seminars followed, she started to write formal outlines and presentations. Her Pastor read them and said: Sister you have a book her people need to read. And so it was, The book is : The Diet Alternative by Diane Hampton. This book is 100% based on the word of God. and has been a blessing for me. I went to Bereans and bought all the copies they had at two different stores. It is the best$6.99 you can spend on controlling your eating and you know what it can help with any addiction because it is based on God's Word. You do not need Anthony Hopkins, Susan Summers, or Chuck Norris. The Holy Spirit will be your trainer and He does not mess around with sin at all.  8-)

CyberCarbon wrote: You are both right and all of my fat brothers and sisters out there here is a little Christian book that will help set you free from this sin. There is no sin of being "fat" that I know of. We are not to judge according to appearance, but righteous judgment. Gluttony is a sin, not being fat or overweight. You can be "skinny" and still be a glutton. Looks can be deceiving, but your actions most always show your heart.

You can be pregnant and have never been married, that doesn't mean you are or have sinned.What if the woman was raped. She committed no sin.

You are mixing apples and oranges, over eating causes people to be fat, I am one of them. Gluttony is overeating by definition now I know this is a touchy subject because what 70% of the US population is fat. Well should we lie to ourselves and sugar coat it or confess it and confront it. Me I freely confess I am fat but I am ashamed of it and I know it hurts my testimony. It also hurts every Fat Christian testimony out there. Especially if you travel to India, Ethiopia, or China it is downright embarrassing. So brother I do not know the point you are trying to make. If it is to protect all the fat Christians you are not doing them any favors. And for myself Being a FAT CHRISTIAN I personally need conviction and healing in this area. Thanks for your kind heart but in this area I need my butt kicked and I know I am not alone. Now that you got me upset I think I will go eat some Oreo's and chocolate milk thank you.... ;-)You both of course are correct being fat is not a sin, BUT it is very strong evidence of a sinful lifestyle.

I wonder why the sin of gluttony is so touchy and avoided (not talked about)?? Its interesting we can tackle every other sin but gluttony. I think this is a strong hold in the church. I believe it needs to be exposed more so more can get victory over this. Does anyone believe that this is a hiderance to revival? Is it a source or root of the issues we cant get victory over??

So brother I do not know the point you are trying to make. If it is to protect all the fat Christians you are not doing them any favors. My point is that appearance doesn't always show a righteous judgment. This is biblical because Jesus said not to judge according to apearance. I didn't mean to "hide" what I was trying to say. I thought it was plain. Yes, overeating causes weight gain. I've already used this example, but I'll just ask directly: If a women is not married and pregnant is she in sin? Is she a harlot?But then again maybe you did understand my point because you said:You both of course are correct being fat is not a sinI say preach against gluttony (any sin for that matter) to the "skinny" person and the "fat" person.

Gluttony is a spiritual issue being fat is a value of being in the flesh to a certain degree, many worship their bodies at the church of the Spa or fitness center.I think I am following you better, although I respectfully disagree with your comparison of a woman who is raped and a person who chooses to over eat. Now if you are suggesting people overeat for other reasons, I can accept that premise however they are still in sin because they are choosing food rather than God. I do not want to seem narrow on this issue but I have been over weight most of my life and for many years did nothing about it because well meaning people told me I was big boned, or husky, the kindness was misplaced because it allowed the root of overeating to grow large and deep and when the conviction came on me, it seemed the battle was much harder than if I would of had guidance when younger. Now I could tell you about sitting in front of a computer 10 18 hours a day, how all the kids in the office live on Pepperoni pizza Pepsi cola, pizza pockets and skittles. But I know I chose every time to take that extra piece of pizza. Even though one piece is good for me. I know love is your motivation and that is a good and pure thing, experience, defeat, battles and scars are mine. I may sound tough and I am on this issue, the reason is Diabetes, Stroke, heart attack, shortened life, self esteem loss and many many other bad things are the fruit of both obesity and gluttony. God Bless you and I hope you understand where I am coming from. I had an Uncle who lost both of his legs to Diabetes, you can go blind and worse. Gluttony is one of Satan's most effective tools to weaken and kill Christians and being fat is Strong evidence of that sin.

Gluttony is definitely a sin and we should allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts in the context of the food we eat. If the Holy Spirit told us not to eat something and we eat it, it's sin.I would be very careful about judging about appearances. I've known some very gluttenous slim people.Let us eat and fast as the Holy Spirit dictates. The Lord is dealing with my heart about food, not so much as in how much I eat but using food as a crutch. I have a trying day and I want to comfort myself with a special food, rather than going to Jesus and crying out.

Hey, I just wanted to post the link to a good sermon series by Zac Poonen called "A Disciplined Life". This thread might relate to the second in the series called "In relation to our body", but there other two, "in relation to our money" and "in relation to our time" are both great also. The link to all of his sermons is:http://cfcindia.com/cda/mainpages/topical_bible_study.phpGrace and Peace...

Very few of our churches, including their pastors understand depravity as it relates to physical things, or things that tempt gluttony in any way. We, as americans, are given so much, that we become used to it, allowing our gluttony to be considered normal, even welcome. In fact, our whole economy runs that way- it's the motivation for our success.I never understood something like fasting for the longest time. What good would it be to not eat? I had heard that it gives you more time to focus on the Lord, but it didn't make any sense for a long time.When Jesus went out into the wild to fast, he did so to be tempted. In terms for us, if a man who is bound by love of food can fast for even three days, that man will have that much control over the urges that rule him. It's not an easy thing. If you've ever fasted, you might find that the first day isn't so bad. A little hungry, but no problem. But then when you wake up the next morning, and you're hungry, and now you're light-headed from lack of food... If you're like me, your mind (your flesh) begins to find every excuse on why you don't need to fast anymore- not just a mere urge. So to have the discipline just to go three days is a feat in itself- but you'll be stronger in the end. Now, it does give you a good reminder to keep focused on things above (would you have ever thought that the Lord not only gave us the Holy Spirit, but a stomach that can point us to him?), but in the more practical sense, it will help you to discipline yourself.Now, when we as a church learn to live in depravity so as to live for our maker alone... What a praise we would have!Grace and Peace...

groh_frog wrote: ...but in the more practical sense, it will help you to discipline yourself.I don't think "practical" was the best word to use here. There is nothing more practical than being focused on things above. Maybe "practical to the discipline of the things of the flesh" would have been a better use of words. Sorry bros.Grace and Peace...

If you love Me, you will obey My Commandments...-Chris

I think I am following you better, although I respectfully disagree with your comparison of a woman who is raped and a person who chooses to over eat.I still don't think you understand what I am saying. Please answer the question and forget about the rape response I said earlier. It will prove what I am trying to get across. If a woman is pregnant and not married is she a harlot or a fornicator? Is fornication a sin or being pregnant when you are not married a sin?

Phil 3:18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Phil 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.Preach is correct in that assuming by appearance is a sin in itself, but Paul plainly warns us not to follow false teachers, whose end 'is their destruction.' If I'm concerned with the fruit of my actions and my ever evident witness, I might concentrate my efforts elsewhere; away from that bag of M&M's. Fasting has been an eye opener into how much I 'think' I need food, when all I really need is "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". I always point people to the rushing quail supplied during the Exodus to the whiners who died as their teeth tore into fresh meat and were left at Kibroth Haatavah. (graves of craving) Scripture is pretty clear, but then I think of Elijah by a slowly dying brook being fed daily by ravens. My Shepherd knows my needs and when I am just plain excessive and greedy, and my enemy would love for me to focus on my tongue's taste buds rather than it being bridled by the Holy Spirit. My appetites are a blazing battlefield and most days I lose the battle and the few times I've fasted God has always shown His completely sufficiencey for my every need. The mighty rotund one ;-) , Rich

If a woman is pregnant and not married is she a harlot or a fornicator?Could be either or none of the above. Is fornication a sin or being pregnant when you are not married a sin?Yes, and could be and may not be.I still do not see the connection with people who choose to eat too much.

hi... when are we ever going to realize that God is in charge of his church and the revivalsthat have changed history? at the birth of Jesus in a manger not a palace,he was the stranger in the manger and all the religeous folks missed it. sheppards and the magi[star gazers]came.the religeous leaders were busy critics throughout His life[ if they only had the internet] revival must start in the hearts of men and women who weep over their own shortcomings and cry out to the God of mercy for forgiveness for their own sins and those of the world.God will probably use fat women the next time revival falls. He gives His gifts to mankind not because mankind is good or worthy, but because He is good and worthy. yes, we need to pray for revival,but let our hearts be ready for God to surprise us with how or who.in lewis the Holy Spirit fell on the dance where there was a few drinkers present. my! my! could that be God? He hates religion, for religion is the tree of the knowlege of good and evil.jimp

I'm not talking about people that choose to eat to much. I'm talking about people that are overweight that do not over eat.(EDIT: or people that are not overweight that do overeat) I'm still carring the same thought as I did in the first reply. My point is that just because a person is fat doesn't mean they are a glutton. It could be a good possiblity, but not always. What I was pointing out was that you are not to judge according to apearence. You don't dispute that do you?Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. That was my only point. I'm not trying to protect gluttons. Do you honestly still not see what I am trying to say?

How many people really have a gland problem compared to the millions that claim to have it?Have you ever heard about someone having this problem in areas of starvation? How often does it happen in India, Africa, and China? My point is this; people need conviction in this area of sin of overeating not excuses.The bible also says you will know them by their fruit; Being fat is the fruit of overeating and gluttony. Fat by definition is the body storing calories in excess of the body needs. Why do people always want to overlook the obvious, and argue the obscure? Have you seen the studies and the control groups? We today think if someone is wearing a white coat and sounds educated, they somehow have a special insight. I disagree, this discussion reminds me of another I had with other people about homosexuality, and you know what happened with that issue? A group of gay and pro-gay scientists and psychologists using sudo science, declared homosexuals were born that way and they have no choice about their behavior, and the morons in Congress believed them. God Bless you for caring so much, I care also very much and I am willing to risk offending some by confronting them. My motivation is my own battle, that I would of started many many years ago if someone would of cared enough to get in my face and say brother this is an area of your walk you need to deal with. Too many people are digging their own grave with a spoon and fork to back off of this issue because one or two who may have an extra burden to deal with in this area. People who are in treatment know who they are and they can defend themselves. Their discomfort is a small price to pay to address the larger issue of gross gluttony of the general population.

Obese Christians?Here is another thread about this topic.

This is a true story:DL Moody approached CH Spurgeon about his cigar smoking habit. Spurgeon stood up walked over to Moody and put his finger in Moodys big belly, and said when you get rid of this come and see me again.

Not meaning to be the devils advocate here...but where in the Bible does it say Gluttony is a sin? I have a friend who is over a 100 lbs overweight. He is also struggling spiritually.I have often wondered if they were connected. But I am hesitant on bringing up the subject for the fear of sounding legalist. I once had a woman (a friends mother) tell me I was struggling spiritually because my apartment was always a mess. I wasn't a Christian at the time and it really turned me off the church. Just making sure I don't make the same mistake.