Open Heaven 21 December
MEMORISE: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – (Daniel 1:8)
BIBLE READING: Proverbs 23:1-8 (KJV)
When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.
4 Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
6 Do not eat the bread of a miser,
Nor desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
While it is true that the Bible describes alcohol as a mocker, it is not the only thing that can arouse a deadly appetite; food can and has done great havoc to the destinies of many people in history. The story of Esau and the red pottage with which he exchanged his birthright is a case in point (Hebrews 12:16). The Bible says: Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. – (Proverbs 23:20-21)
In our Bible reading today we are advised to be cautious when we are confronted with delicacies. Some classic examples of people who understood this principle were Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. According to Daniel 1:8, they purposed in their hearts not to allow themselves to be carried away by the delicacies of the king so that they would not forget where they were coming from and where they were going. It takes self-discipline not to be a glutton, especially in the time of need. You should not allow your enemies to know when you are hungry or else, they can seize the opportunity to attack you.
The Bible says: Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. – (Proverbs 25:16-17)
While the Bible does ask us to rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), we should beware of excessive eating, Indeed, Proverbs 23:2 says that if you know that you have a large appetite and like to eat, when you feel tempted to succumb to gluttony, hold yourself back as though someone were pointing a knife at your neck to restrain you. Apostle Paul’s statement about subduing the body (1 Corinthians 9:27) is not restricted to sexual immorality and alcohol consumption, but also excessive food intake. A word is enough for the wise.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please don’t allow my appetite to destroy my destiny, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 27-31
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Gluttony is Not a Christian Virtue – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 21 December 2021
