7 Days of Hope for Overcoming Eating DisordersSample

Are Eating Disorders Sinful?

It’s hard to correct a sinful behavior when you are uncertain how exactly you have sinned. The Bible contains no mention of anorexia, orthorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, much less how to handle them specifically. However, you likely knew it was wrong because your harmful actions were followed by the feeling of guilt. As you continue to bring your battle to God and gain wisdom, you will learn that God does address your battle—just probably not in the way you may expect.

There are a variety of topics that relate to how ED hurts the heart of God. First, it is helpful to understand that we are made in the image of God, and He created us with inherent worth, dignity, and value. If you are a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within you, and therefore, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Scripture instructs us to honor our bodies for this reason, so directly harming yourself in any way disregards how deeply God cares for you and desires you to protect your temple.

Another way to understand how an unhealthy relationship with food hurts God is by observing the trait of gluttony. Gluttony is defined one way as “overindulgence or lack of self-restriction in relation to food, drink, or wealth.”[LS1][1] Binge eating, whether daily or every once in a while after immense restriction, is a form of gluttony, and is commonly associated with ED. Scripture directly addresses gluttony to help us understand the harm it brings.

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (Proverbs 23:21)

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. (Proverbs 28:7)

Ask yourself where the desire for gluttony derives from in your life. Then, begin surrendering the temptation to overindulge to God and allowing Him to guide you toward a new lifestyle of mindfulness and self-control.

Additionally, the imagery of idolatry fuels ED and hurts the heart of God. Yes, you read that correctly, but hear this out. Idolatry is “the thing or person one loves more than God.” In other words, it is putting anything or anyone before God in your heart or life. Idolatry brings God to righteous anger because He is jealous for us. He sent His son to the cross so that we would have eternal life with Him, free and forgiven of our sins. How could we do anything other than worship our selfless God?

As Christ followers, we should worship God alone, but all too often we fall short and begin to idolize something else. This could be a variety of things: celebrities, workouts, food, ourselves, and so on. Think of it this way: whatever you are spending the most time on is what you are worshiping. If anything is taking up more of your attention and thought life than God, you are likely idolizing it. Begin to ask yourself, what am I idolizing? You may find your answers are a specific body type, a certain fitness level, an unrealistic lifestyle, someone’s looks, and the list goes on. Address those areas and start making God your primary focus and the true desire of your heart. A final thought: self-love is healthy, but self-obsession is idolatry. Be careful, and pray for God to show you the difference, knowing He will align your mindset.

[1] “Gluttony,” Wikipedia, accessed May 14, 2022