Overeating is a sin! Funk e3 Wagnalb Dictionary defines sin as “a fault or error,” and obesity definitely falls into both categories. John Wesley’s mother said, “… whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind—that thing, to you, is sin.” To me, sin is deliberately doing anything to our fellow beings that we know will hurt them, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Since I’m everyone else’s “fellowman,” I am also capable of sinning against me. Medical studies prove that obesity results in lower life expectancy, heart problems, strokes, and diabetes. Surely it is a sin to purposely inflict such wounds on my own body.
If it were possible for obesity to affect only the overeater, it would not be so grievous. But like the alcoholic or drug addict, an obese person acutely affects the lives of all who love him, care for him, or even casually observe him. My family agrees when I say that obesity has shut more doors on our family’s ability to have fun than any lack of money ever has; that obesity has been the catalyst sparking more cruel words, more undeserved slaps, more tantrums, and more tense moments than any other problem in our home; that feeding my habit has sucked up more already scarce funds than any other avoidable expense.
Jesus Christ referred to His body as a temple. Can any of us feel justified in defiling our bodies, our temples, by putting such an excess of food into our mouths that it manifests itself as ugly double chins, flabby arms, bulbous posteriors, and hideous, red stretch marks?
There are many wonderful fat people. But they are, nevertheless, out of control in this area of their lives. They would be even more wonderful if they had control of their physical appetites.