From a Catholic perspective, gluttony is a deadly sin that overindulges in food or drink, disordered by excess, turning a gift of sustenance into a selfish obsession that harms body and soul. It is one of the seven deadly sins that can sin you into hell.
Gluttony is an excessive craving for food or drink, beyond need or moderation, making it an idol. It’s a sin that misuses God’s gifts, as warned in Proverbs 23:20-21 (CCC 1866).
Gluttony seeks excess for its own sake, while enjoying food appreciates it as God’s provision. Gluttony lacks restraint; enjoyment balances gratitude with temperance. The Church sees gluttony as a disordered appetite, not a celebration. It turns a blessing into a burden (CCC 1838).
Gluttony is deadly because it enslaves the soul to bodily desires, dulling love for God and others. It can lead to mortal sin if it fully rejects moderation for indulgence. St. Paul’s words in Philippians 3:19—“their god is their stomach”—highlight its spiritual peril (CCC 1866).
Gluttony’s roots are in Scripture, like Ecclesiastes 10:17, which praises eating for strength, not excess. Early monks, like Evagrius, saw it as a distraction from prayer. St. Gregory the Great listed it among the seven deadly sins for its grip on the will. It reflects a misuse of creation, meant to sustain, not dominate. The Church shaped this into a call for balance (CCC 1809).
Gluttony shows in binge-eating, obsessing over gourmet excess, or drinking to drunkenness. It’s the partygoer who gorges while others go hungry (CCC 1866).
Gluttony weighs down the soul, trading spiritual hunger for physical fullness. It dulls prayer and gratitude, chaining us to appetite over God. The rich fool’s feast in Luke 12:19-20 shows its folly—living for self, not eternity. The Church warns it numbs us to the poor and divine will. It can spiral into sloth or pride, deepening sin’s hold. Only discipline and grace can free us (CCC 1866).
Proverbs 25:16 advises, “If you find honey, eat just enough—too much, and you’ll vomit.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 calls the body a temple, not a trough. These urge mastery over excess, honoring God’s design.
Gluttony appears in eating past fullness, craving food over faith, or neglecting others’ needs for personal excess. It’s the itch for “just one more” despite satisfaction. Examination of conscience reveals it in habits of overindulgence. The Church calls this a sign to seek temperance (CCC 1809).
Temperance and charity counter gluttony, fostering restraint and care for others. The Church teaches these restore balance to body and soul (CCC 1809).
Yes, gluttony can be tamed with grace, prayer, and mindful habits like fasting or sharing food. Scripture, like Galatians 5:23, praises self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. Confession heals its excess, renewing moderation. The Church suggests small limits to retrain desire. Over time, gratitude replaces gluttony’s greed (CCC 1838).