Talk 4: Gluttony and Self-Control, Envy and Love/Kindness The Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues Series

Gluttony Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. This results in over-indulgence in eating, drinking and other pleasurable endeavours. A huge proportion of our population suffers from obesity. Why? For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions -is not from the Father but is from the world. [1 John 2:16]

Gluttony Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me. Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food, but God will put an end to both of them. The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. [1 Corinthians 6:12-13] Gluttony can be a symptom of a bigger problem like stress, depression, fear, anxiety, boredom, etc. We need to face them, not escape them. Many people in Africa and Asia do not eat 3 times a day. Some face famine. Many are very poor.

Gluttony The virtue that is opposite of gluttony is Discipline and Self-Control. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self- control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. [1 Corinthians 9:24-27]

Discipline and Self-Control Do you know: the root word for ‘discipline’ and ‘disciple’ are the same? It comes from “Discipulus,” meaning pupil, disciple. To be a disciple of Christ implies a need for self-discipline. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Battling with gluttony is a lifetime battle. [Testimony]

Strategies for Growing in Discipline and Self-Control We need to look at our bodies as God’s stewards. We need to look at our bodies as the temples of the Holy Spirit. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. [1 Corinthians 6:20] Practice fasting regularly; it makes us spiritually sharp. Jesus did not say “if you fast…” but rather “when you fast…” – [Matthew 6:16-17].

Strategies for Growing in Discipline and Self-Control 4. We need to practice saying no to our desires; practice temperance. Know when to stop and do not over-indulge. 5. Be purposeful when eating – do not eat food in front of TV! 6. We need to have balanced diet when we eat – fruits and vegetables balanced with meat and carbohydrates. We need to avoid fatty foods and cut down on sugar, fizzy drinks and potato chips [or similar food items].

Strategies for Growing in Discipline and Self-Control 7. Have a regular exercise! Keep the heart pumping! Commit to this and help one another. 8. Deal with stress, fears, boredom and anxiety – and do not use eating as an escape. 9. Develop an ‘appetite’ to do good things like exercise, good hobbies, studying the Bible, serving others ,etc.

Envy Those who commit the sin of envy resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, and wish the other person to be deprived of it. Envy can be directly related to the Ten Commandments, specifically "Neither shall you desire... anything that belongs to your neighbour". Aquinas described envy as "sorrow for another's good."

Envy Envy is innately selfish and self-centred. We cannot rejoice in others’ good and blessings unless it also comes to us - first and better! Other words related to envy include: jealousy, greed, bitterness, self-pity, spite, and resentment. Attitudes like: why them and not me? What about me, me and most importantly, me? ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ attitude. The opposite of Envy: love and kindness.

How to Grow in Love and Kindness 1. Develop an attitude of gratitude for what you have. Count your blessings!Be content with what you have and enjoy the blessings that you have. 2. Learn to be happy with the success of others, knowing everything comes from the Lord. The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. [Psalms 24:1] 3. Look for the good of others not just for yourself. Stop looking at your belly-button [me, me, and me!] – Introspection, and asking yourself: “what about me?” is selfish in nature and does not help in serving others.

How to Grow in Love and Kindness 4. Acknowledge that everything comes from the Lord, “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” [Matthew 5:45] 5. Romans 12: 9-21…outdo one another in showing honour… Instead of envying one another, we should outdo one another in honouring each other. 6. Ephesians 5:2 Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

7 Sins/Virtues Series Summary Note: this is the end of the series: our goal is to grow in the character to be like Christ, to reflect the image and the likeness of God Himself. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [2 Corinthians 3:18]

7 S/V: Series Summary Our goal in this life is to be transformed so that others will see Jesus in us – His humility, His generosity, His purity, His zeal, His diligence, His love and kindness, and His discipline. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Galatians 2:20]

Questions for Group Sharing and Discussion: 1. Am I taking good care of my body? Do I exercise regularly? If not, what decisions do I need to make to take better care of God’s temple – my body? 2. If somebody receives some blessing, do I rejoice with them? Or do I feel bad about myself and say “lucky them, but not me?” 3. In what ways can I grow more in self-control and kindness? 4. Among the 7 sins, which is my weakness and what do I need to do more about it?