The Bible addresses
certain practices regarding food and eating that are relevant today. The
main issue addressed is that our bodies are the temple of God and should
not abused in any way, even in regard to food (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The Bible says that
when a rebellious child in Israel was guilty of gluttony the penalty was
severe (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). In Proverbs 23:20-21 Solomon wrote, "Do
not mix with winebibbers, <or> with gluttonous eaters of meat; (21) for
the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will
clothe <a man> with rags." In Ezekiel 16:49 the Bible says that one of
the sins of Sodom was that her people were "overfed." Paul wrote that
people whose god is their stomach will come to destruction (Philippians
3:19; Romans 16:18). Peter says that gluttonous behavior, such as was
the case with those who frequently "banqueted", is not appropriate for
christians (1 Peter 4:3).
Another practice
related to food is fasting. The Bible says that abstinence from eating
was a common practice among John's disciples, the Pharisees, and by
Cornelius and Paul (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 18:12; Acts 10:30; 2
Corinthians 6:5; 11:27). The Bible shows that Jesus fasted on one
occasion for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:1-4; Luke 4:1-2). He also
taught on fasting as if He assumed that this was something the people of
God would do (Matthew 6:16-18; 17:21). Paul also recommends this for
married couples in certain circumstances (1 Corinthians 7:5).
The Bible says that
food is a gift from God designed for the sustenance of life (Psalm
104:14-15; 111:5; 136:25; 145:15; Proverbs 30:8; Matthew 6:11). As with
any gift from Him man is instructed to use it in the intended way, and
for the glory of God who has given it (1 Corinthians 6:13). Solomon
wrote, "The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the
[stomach] of the wicked shall be in want," (Proverbs 13:25).