When Enough is Not Enough: The Mask of Gluttony
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
“Just one more bite.”
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve said this to myself or to someone sitting across the table from me– when there’s still a warm, cheesy, half-eaten burger sitting on the plate in front of me, screaming at me to finish it. I know my stomach is full, but I’m not satisfied. I’m so stuffed, but it’s so good.
How many of us have found ourselves in this same moment? Full, yet still reaching for more. It might seem like a small, everyday experience, but it actually points to something deeper. This is what’s known as gluttony. Gluttony is defined as “the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste” (Woodside Bible Church, 2023). At its core, gluttony draws our focus away from God and onto other things. It limits our ability to practice self-control, a virtue the Bible calls us to pursue. Because of its nature, gluttony has been named one of the seven deadly sins.
It wasn’t until recently that I started exploring what gluttony truly was. It was then that I noticed how much it was affecting my life. When we become infatuated with satisfying a “deeper hunger”, it can lead to greed, a lack of gratitude, and disobedience. It can even go as far as experiencing anxiety and depression. Gluttony takes the appreciation out of something because it provides a mask to achieve, desire, and crave more. I’m not saying enjoyment or material things are bad in themselves. However, overindulging in them can eventually lead to a destructive path.
I noticed myself falling into that pattern recently with food, treating it almost like an idol. I found myself constantly planning the next time I was going to eat, getting overly excited about food, and rushing through my meals. It became exhausting, both physically and mentally. I felt weighed down, not just because of the food itself, but rather because I was so focused on overconsuming rather than being appreciative of what was in front of me.
Identifying these patterns and the true cause behind them allowed me to change them. The key to overcoming gluttony is embracing moderation in all areas of life. Moderation allows you to experience the true joy and value in enjoying things from a place of intention. So, what does that actually look like? Mindful eating. Digital boundaries. Thoughtful spending. Balance integrated into your lifestyle. These habits allow you to experience the fruits that God created for us in the way in which they were intended. Practicing these habits allows you to avoid idolization and enjoy God's blessings without becoming controlled by them.
I know it’s easier said than done, trust me. One tactic I’ve found that’s helped me embrace these habits is pausing before taking an action. Whether it's eating, scrolling, spending, or something else entirely, I try to understand where the thought is coming from before acting on it.
Another habit that's been transformative is approaching everything with gratitude. God created these things for us to enjoy, in moderation, and that in itself is a gift. Viewing these things through a lens of gratitude reminds me not to abuse them or take them for granted. Instead of trying to seek more, I’m able to appreciate what I’ve already been given and enjoy it as it was intended.
God calls us to be intentional in enjoying the things He created for us. Embracing practices of moderation, obedience, and gratitude allow us to fully experience His gifts without becoming consumed by them. The goal isn’t deprivation but rather freedom and trust in God. Freedom from constantly chasing the next bite, next purchase, next scroll, or the next thing we think will satisfy us– but really just leaves us feeling more guilty and empty than before.
The truth is, no amount of food, possessions, or entertainment can fill the deeper hunger within us. Only God can do that. Placing Him at the center allows us to appreciate His blessings for what they truly are: gifts, not gods. Through this, we’re able to discover that satisfaction isn’t found in having more; it’s found in appreciating what we’ve already been given.
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