While the numbers don't match the USA, there are sharp increases in obesity worldwide. Check this story out.
The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic: More Prevalent Than Starvation
Dr. Joseph Mercola
The epidemic of obesity could overwhelm our global economy far sooner than many experts expected, based on estimates the world's population of overweight people now exceeds the number who go hungry by some 20 percent. Scientists believe the number of overweight people has topped the 1 billion mark versus 800 million who go hungry.
Moreover, these alarming numbers -- based on tracking the health of some 16,000 Chinese residents since 1989 -- signal a frightening shift in the obesity epidemic from the rich to poorer folks living in rural and urban areas. Over the past 17 years, obesity grew from zero to 25 percent as residents began following more harmful Western diets and lifestyles. Some of the familiar culprits:
*The explosive arrival and demand for sugary fruit and soft drinks.
*Owning a TV.
*The use of cheap, toxic vegetable oils.
*Western-style food ads.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
__________________ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Gal 5:13-15/ NKJV)
Somebody posted in this thread that he/she didn't have time to exercise and therefore could not lose weight. However, the science is proved that most forms of exercise will not induce weight loss. Reduction in caloric intake is the only guaranteed way to lose weight.
Aerobic exercise is good for you, and will improve your stamina and energy level, but it won't really burn the fat.
The one exception is anaerobic weight training. Good old-fashioned body builder weight lifting will also burn fat, but it's not for everybody.
Ideally, one should pursue both, but I can certainly relate to those who say they don't have the time or energy to exercise. I often say I'm living the life of veal, since I sit at a desk for hours on end. Nevertheless, I've lost weight by making a concious effort to reduce portions. I also avoid high-fructose corn syrup, which is in just about everything these days. It has high caloric content but is processed slowly so you still feel hungry. That means no soda pop and few desserts.
Props to Bro. Epley for the fitting and funny quotes.
Now for my question:
I have heard from a friend of teaching about this topic that says contextually the at the Greek feasts of NT times the gluttons would eat until they were stuffed, leave the table to purposely empty the contents of their stomachs, and then come back to eat some more.
This doctrine would lead us to define gluttony as the wasteful indulgence in the sensory pleasure of tasting and eating feast-quality foods.
We would therefore not define a glutton as someone whose average caloric intake is greater than their average daily burn, and therefore has a spare tire. 50 pounds overweight would be an indicator of a blessed life, not the presence of deadly sin.
What do you know or think about this definition of gluttony? Is it accurate?
For most of history, the average person has lived a life of bare subsistence. Royalty and clergy were the main centers for non-manual-labor occupations.
We Americans live in the most blessed nation on earth. We can buy foods that don't rot or spoil in a day or two, but their high-tech ingredients have proven to have consequences. We have an unprecedented percentage of the population who are both sedentary AND prosperous, or at least get enough food stamps to exceed their caloric needs. This is also largely a new development in history.
It is fair to say that in bible times they could not have conceived of a nation of office workers, truck drivers, and store clerks that did not perspire, yet could prosper.
Speaking of gluttony.I have lost over twenty pounds and am down two dress sizes.All from climbing those six flights of stairs...up and down...up and down.
It has not been easy but God is good.Let the Lord be glorified who delights in the prosperity of his people.
1. We do never hear much at conferences about gluttony, overeating, laziness, or excess of lifestyles because a huge majority of those attending are practicing gluttony, overeating, laziness or excess of lifestyle.
Agreed.
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2. The Bible teaches us to refrain from gluttony and do all things in moderation and temperance is one of the fruits of the spirit, along side love, faith, and the others.
No, the Bible teaches that all of the things on the list constitute THE FRUIT of the Spirit. It's ONE FRUIT!!!!!
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3. I have never heard a pastor preach against it.
Agreed.
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4. Yes, they are afraid to preach against it with a bulging waistline. It would be hypocritical.
This is clear evidence that those who would say this don't know what they're talking about! Just because someone is obese doesn't mean he's a glutton. Remember also that the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a glutton (not that He was a glutton but it's not unlike others' judging based on appearance).
I never stated or intended that everyone with a large waistline was a glutton, but neither does that mean there isn't a problem in Pentecost with obese men who refuse to preach against the sin of excess and gluttony.
They probably don't preach against it because people would start talking behind their backs about them being hypocrites for preaching against gluttony when they're obese.
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