Most Christians would agree that God has established boundaries for His children in many areas: entertainment, sex, relationships, finances, etc. Yet how many would agree that the same is true regarding food? We American Christians seem to believe that that’s the one area in which He deserves no jurisdiction—that we have free rein to eat what we want when we want as often as we want it. For anyone to suggest that He has given us guidelines is to suggest that we are “under the law.”

We’ve become so reckless and desensitized that we’ve made a habit of engaging in gluttony together. It’s one thing to recognize a hearty meal with friends as a gift from God, but it’s another to disregard all boundaries and then brag about it (“If I eat one more bite you’re gonna have to roll me out of here”). Are we those of whom it is written, “Their god is their belly”?

God is a personal God, and He’ll draw your boundaries according to what you need. To some, sugar is poison; to others, it’s not. Some fortunate individuals need few boundaries beyond “avoid gluttony,” while those who are recovering from food compulsion need plenty of specifics.

“A moderate religion is as good as no religion at all—and more amusing.” –The Screwtape Letters