Overeating Is Gluttony

Esther 1:1-5

Esther 1:3” King Ahasuerus gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence.

King Ahasuerus hosted a ‘rave party’ for his officials and army that lasted for 180 days, that is 6 months. Imagine! In fact there were two kinds of feast:

1 ) one for nobles for 180 days, which is 6 months. Imagine partying for 6 months.

2) Second party: 7 days for all the people , both great and small - verse 5

Ah! I can see resemblance of our present culture compared to the culture of Persia and Media. Don’t you see that? Alcohol, food, party, pomp, lust, adultery…. so on...The authority of 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, given into the hands of Ahasuerus has made him puff headed and proud. Very few people can take gigantic positions and still remain calm and composed. When too much money comes in, you would be like this king planning for luxury, vacation and travel , but today God is calling you to fast and pray. Warning!

Prosperity: When you are too full, you tend to become lazy and relax but when you have limited then you are on your foot to make ends meet, since you will have rents to pay, fees, provision, petrol and so on. We see today like never before the mushrooming of food centres, exotic spread of food, plethora of restaurants, buffet, besides this we have reality shows exhibiting culinary skills, street food mela, tempting food advertisements and what not! I am at a loss of words to write on this...Not many would want to attend night prayer, fasting prayer even if it is zoom meetings, though I keep pleading and calling, people ignore me. You have become like King Ahasuerus! Remember God can remove the job too that is preventing you from getting close to Him.

What does all this reveal? Progress? Satan has managed to divert our attention to food and luxury, anybody listening? The devil started his game by tempting Eve to eat the fruit and he succeeded, he still continues his clever strategy of food. We need to have a balance in our life. Bible says, Proverbs 23:"Proverbs 23 2”If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat.” I encourage you to fast today!

Food festivals:We see today like never before the mushrooming of food centres, exotic spread of food, plethora of restaurants, buffet, besides this we have reality shows exhibiting culinary skills, street food mela, tempting food advertisements and what not! I am at a loss of words to write on this...

What does all this reveal? Progress? Satan has managed to divert our attention to food, anybody listening? The devil started his game by tempting Eve to eat the fruit and he succeeded, he still continues his clever strategy of food. We need to have a balance in our life. Bible says,

Proverbs 23:

1)While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you.

2)If you are a big eater,

put a knife to your throat;

3)don’t desire all the delicacies,for he might be trying to trick you.

4)Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.Be wise enough to know when to quit.

5)In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Not many will like me talking about lavish spending on food, with food being brought to the door step with just one call or text, we have become a bunch of lazy gluttons. Living and earning just to eat.... You can throw stones at me for saying this...Alas, even church gatherings and leaders meetings revolve around food... Where is fasting????

High profile party:. The army of Persia, Media and the nobles, governors, were all invited for party for 180 days. Phew! The intent of the enemy is to keep you for a longer period with time with him so that you get addicted to the life style. Anybody listening? The enemy draws you into his web, you need to have self control and also be daring enough to refuse. The Bible says:

1 John 2:16, NIV: "For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world." ...

Stick with godly people: Revival kings like king Hezekiah said, “come let us celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy in the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 30:23. This kind of celebrations brought joy to the entire nation whereas the booze party that king Ahasuerus hosted brought curses and confusion in the city. Anybody listening? Today there is ‘party’ at the drop of a hat: before marriage, after marriage, baby shower, baby born, then birthday, increment, promotion, engagement, bachelor party and what not! People hunt for ways to splurge and fritter money away. This is the spirit of King Ahasuerus working today that is taking people downhill into debts.