The word gluttony comes through Old French “gloton” from Latin “gluttonem,” which is related to “gluttire,” meaning “to swallow” or “gulp down.” At its root, it never meant simply enjoying a good meal. It described greedy, unrestrained consumption, taking in more than we need without self-control.
In Christian teaching, gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins because it reveals a heart that believes “more” will finally satisfy us. And here’s the part we often miss: Drunkenness is gluttony. So is overworking until we’re empty, scrolling until we’re numb, sleeping to escape, or reaching for “just one more” drink after a tough week.
Anything we feed in excess, like food, alcohol, sleep, achievement, or escape, can become gluttony when it moves from enjoyment to control.
A Different Kind Of Excess
We live in a city and world that runs hard. I live in a family where workaholism persists. But I’ve recognized some of us are given a lot more energy than others, so maybe there is some truth to having a higher threshold for burnout.
I’ve been thinking about how gluttonous behavior can look different from person to person. Just as people have different physical limits with alcohol, some people seem to have a higher capacity for long hours, pressure, or even certain indulgences before those things start to break them down.
We all have different thresholds physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What pushes one person into excess might not affect another the same way. That’s why it’s so important we don’t judge someone else’s “book” when we’re only reading our own chapter.
At the same time, the heart issue behind gluttony remains the same: using something created to comfort us in a way that slowly takes control.
Real Rest
God isn’t trying to take away every pleasure. He’s offering something better than the cycle of “I deserve this” followed by regret. He offers real rest for our souls instead of another round or another late night.
Gluttony trains us to believe comfort is found in consumption. Jesus invites us to bring our actual stress to Him instead of trying to swallow it down.
