This is a warning about those gluttonous people who live only thinking about eating and satisfying their appetites. Such a lifestyle is not pleasing before God, because it places bodily desires above spiritual priorities. Gluttony is not simply about food in excess; it reflects a heart that seeks satisfaction in earthly pleasures rather than in God. For this reason, Scripture treats gluttony as a sin that dulls spiritual sensitivity.
From a biblical perspective, gluttony represents a lack of self-control and discipline. God created food to be enjoyed with gratitude, but never to dominate the life of a believer. When eating becomes an obsession, it reveals a deeper problem: the heart is no longer governed by the Spirit, but by uncontrolled desire. This disorder affects not only the body, but also the soul.
So, brothers, do not allow gluttony to take hold of your life and rob you of spiritual clarity. Excessive indulgence weakens the will, clouds judgment, and makes it harder to discern God’s voice. Be careful with this sin, because if you step away from it early, you protect both your spiritual and physical well-being. Walking away from gluttony is wise, since it is not the will of God.
God’s will for His people is moderation, self-control, and gratitude. Scripture teaches that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore it should be treated with respect. Gluttony abuses what God has given and turns a blessing into a stumbling block. When believers lose control in one area, it often leads to weakness in others.
Jesus Himself warned His disciples about the danger of becoming distracted by physical indulgence and worldly concerns. These distractions slowly pull the heart away from vigilance and readiness. Next, we will see a serious warning that Jesus gives, because this evil has caused many brothers and sisters in faith to lose focus on God’s call. Let us pay close attention:
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luke 21:34
In this verse, Jesus speaks with urgency and clarity. He warns His followers to watch over their own hearts. The danger is not only external persecution, but internal distraction. The word surfeiting refers to overindulgence, excess, and gluttony. Jesus groups this sin together with drunkenness and the cares of this life, showing that all three have the same effect: they dull spiritual alertness.
People who live this way—those who are gluttonous—often have their minds fixed on eating and satisfying immediate desires. They eat without restraint, forgetting that life is fragile and that eternity is real. In doing so, they neglect spiritual preparation and become vulnerable to being caught off guard by the coming of the Lord or the sudden arrival of death.
Jesus warns that these habits can cause “that day” to come upon a person unawares. This refers to the day of judgment or the return of Christ. The tragedy is not that the day comes, but that it comes when a person is spiritually unprepared, distracted by pleasures that do not profit the soul.
This warning is not limited to food alone. It addresses a broader issue of living for indulgence rather than for God. Gluttony, drunkenness, and excessive worry all share one thing in common: they consume the heart and leave no room for vigilance, prayer, and readiness. When these things dominate life, the believer slowly drifts away from the awareness of God’s presence and promises.
Jesus’ counsel is therefore an act of love. He does not warn to condemn, but to awaken. His desire is that His followers live with purpose, discipline, and expectation. A vigilant believer is one who lives each day mindful of eternity, not enslaved by temporary pleasures.
We must be prepared for the day when death comes to us or when our Lord returns. Christ does not want to find His people enslaved by gluttony, drunkenness, or pointless distractions. These things weaken faith and make believers spiritually drowsy. Life should not be spent merely consuming, but serving, loving, and waiting for the Lord.
Let us be wise and receive this warning that Jesus gives us. Wisdom listens and responds with obedience. We all know that it is not the will of God to see His people controlled by gluttony, intoxication, or excessive worldly worries. God desires a people who are sober-minded, disciplined, and alert.
This is sin, and if someone remains in these conditions without repentance, Scripture warns of serious consequences. Living carelessly, consumed by appetite and distraction, leaves no room for true repentance or readiness. If Christ were to return at such a moment, the unprepared heart would be exposed.
However, there is hope. God’s warnings always come with an invitation to change. Through repentance, discipline, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome gluttony and regain spiritual focus. God gives strength to those who seek Him sincerely.
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is not achieved by human effort alone, but by walking daily with God. When the Spirit governs the heart, appetites are brought into order, and life regains balance. Food becomes a blessing, not a master.
In conclusion, gluttony is more than a physical issue; it is a spiritual danger that can dull the heart and distract the soul. Jesus’ warning calls believers to vigilance, moderation, and readiness. Let us therefore live wisely, exercising self-control, focusing on God’s will, and remaining alert for the coming of our Lord. Blessed are those whom He finds faithful and watchful.