What does gluttony mean in Orthodoxy? Why is gluttony a mortal sin?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

What does the word "gluttony" mean? It consists of two parts. The first of these is the "womb". This is an obsolete bookish word that means the same thing as the stomach. And also it is used in a figurative sense, in stilted speech, referring to the inside of something.

The second part - "pleasing" - is also an outdated word that was used in common parlance and in this case denoted the beneficial, positive side of something, something that can be beneficial. What is this - gluttony, what is this sin in Orthodoxy and how to resist it? The proposed review is devoted to this topic.

The concept of sin

What does the sin of gluttony mean? To understand this question, let us first consider the very concept of sin. It is most often understood as a thought or action associated with a deviation from the norms of a righteous life. It can be both direct and indirect. Also, this is a violation.religious commandments, that is, instructions and instructions given by God.

Sin is rarely spoken of when the dominant moral and ethical rules, norms and traditions established in society are violated. The opposite of it is virtue, and in another sense - faith. At the same time, Orthodoxy distinguishes eight deadly sins, followed by the loss of the salvation of the soul in the absence of repentance.

One of these is gluttony. What does it mean in Christianity? Let's start answering this question with the formulation of this concept.

Definition and types

At its core, gluttony is gluttony, a strong addiction of a person experienced for them plentiful, tasty, unhe althy food. As well as non-compliance with the posts. This passion is the main of the eight major sins. It is also called "root". This does not mean only eating as such. It is:

• about overeating (overeating);
• throatism (passionate pleasure of taste, gourmetism; use of unauthorized products in fasting);
• addiction;
• drunkenness;
• smoking;
• secret dressing.

Violation of the second commandment

Since gluttons exceed the value of sensual pleasures, according to the thought expressed by the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Philippians, their god is the womb. That is, they raise him to the level of an idol, an idol.

Thus, gluttony is a kind of idolatry, and thus the second commandment of God is violated,calling not to create an idol for yourself. The opposite of the sin in question is abstinence.

Studying the question of what gluttony means, let's take a closer look at its forms.

Varieties

Among them stand out such as:

1. Predilection for eating unjustified from the point of view of physiology, a large amount of food.
2. Increased passion for various food delights, that is, gourmetism.
3. Excessive attachment to certain foods - sweet, baked, chocolate, carbonated drinks.
4. Striving for frequent feasts and feasts.
5. Excessive addiction to alcohol, that is, drunkenness.
6. Violation of fasting rules.
7. Secret eating (e.g. eating at night).

When talking about gluttony, it will be necessary to talk about its harmful consequences.

Possible harm

The consequences of the described sin can affect both the physical and spiritual he alth of a person. He is mortal, as he can cause the appearance of other passions, such as fornication and despondency.

This variety of it, like drunkenness, can condone the commission of various crimes against God, as well as one's neighbor. It is:

• about lies;
• foul language;
• blasphemy;
• blasphemy;
• discord;
• feud;
• stealing;
• violence;
• robbery;
• robbery;
• murder.

Unsatisfied, the passion of gluttony can bring a person down to the level of idolatry, as the apostle Paul said. An example of such a fall is revealed by Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy in the example of Israel. It says that the latter grew fat, fat, fat, he became stubborn and forgot the God who created him, thereby despising the stronghold of his salvation.

As for the physical component, here gluttony can lead to noticeable disorders of systems and organs, important functions of the body, to serious illnesses. Thus, in the Scriptures, this is one of the most harmful sins related to the flesh.

The Bible on Temperance

The Book of Exodus notes that the attachment to hearty and tasty food of the sons of Israel greatly eclipsed their mind. When they once lost the opportunity to eat their fill, they not only dared to complain, but also began to sigh about the godless, slave life in Egypt, which was full.

In the Book of Ezekiel, gluttony is put on a par with idleness and pride. Jesus, the son of Sirach, notes that from the abuse of food there are pains in the stomach, insomnia and cholera. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ directly points out to the apostles the need to refrain from overeating and drunkenness.

How to deal with gluttony?

On this occasion, the Church Fathers give the following advice. They propose to apply both spiritual and ascetic, andpsychological means. Since any sin is overcome with the help of God, repentance and prayer come first here. In addition, it is necessary to try to mobilize the will and humility, as well as self-discipline and work that is pleasing to God.

Among the private tricks are the following:

1. Stay as he althy as possible. That is to eat simple food.
2. Finish your meal before you're full.
3. Create a diet and try to follow it.
4. Do not participate in unnecessary feasts.
5. Follow the fasts set by the church.
6. Abstain from drinking alcohol.

Considering what gluttony means, one should also say about such a method of dealing with it as fasting.

Impact of another world

It is believed that fasting enhances the influence of higher powers on a person. It shatters his physical well-being, and a person becomes more accessible to the influence of another world, his spiritual filling takes place. The purpose of fasting is not a gastronomic component. It is only a means leading to a correct spiritual life, which is based on prayer and the sacraments of repentance and communion. Without prayer, fasting turns into mere dieting.

Under it one must understand not only abstinence in food, but a complex of all ascetic means used in resisting passions. Its first step is not to use a certain composition of food, to refuse its abundance, not to eat sweets. The next steps are related tointernal tasks, consisting in abstaining from any filthiness at all.

This truth follows from ascetic experience. Therefore, one cannot exist without the other. You can’t limit yourself to just stopping being angry, not offending anyone, not envying anyone. At the same time, it is also necessary not to eat too much.

Before the great holidays, the church established four multi-day fasts. They help a person, preparing him for spiritual renewal, just as nature itself is renewed four times a year. This custom originated among the ancient Christians and helps to feel the greatness of the holiday. Even the natural human needs for food recede before him.

Finishing the discussion of what gluttony means, it is necessary to say about the observance of reasonableness in the fight against it.

Don't go too far

When fighting gluttony, you need to remember that, as in any business, it is important to observe reasonable limits here. You can not starve yourself and drive yourself to faint. This is especially true for children, sick people and pregnant women. It must be taken into account that, like any passion, gluttony is based on natural human needs.

Man by nature needs food and drink. Using them, we not only supply nutrients to the body, but also thank the Creator for this. At the same time, a feast is also an opportunity to communicate with friends and relatives, it will unite people. Therefore, when fighting the described sin, there is no need to go too far.

Gluttony Demon

Such a concept exists in mythology. This is the Behemoth, considered as a negatively colored spiritual being that arouses carnal desires. This is especially true for gluttony. In the works of various authors, this creature has different interpretations. Here are some examples:

1. According to Pierre de Lancre, a medieval judge-inquisitor (16th-17th century), the Behemoth is a demon that can take the form of any of the large animals, such as an elephant. And also wolf, fox, dog, cat.
2. Law professor Jean Bodin (16th century) in his book "Demonomania" considered him as a hellish parallel to the Egyptian pharaoh who persecuted the Jews.
3. The German monk Heinrich Kramer (15th-16th century) wrote in The Hammer of the Witches that it is a demon that instills bestial tendencies in people.
4. The German occultist Johann Weyer (16th century) believed that he attacked people by applying the seduction of voluptuousness felt in the navel and loins. Can take the form of a woman in order to introduce into temptation. Behemoth calls people to blasphemy and foul language. Staying at the court of Satan, he is the main keeper of the cup, leads feasts and is listed as a night watchman in hell. Modern idolaters revere him as a great butler. In accordance with medieval accounts, he is regarded as a cruel executioner of hell, before whom sinners tremble when they hear his trumpet.
5. One of the 15th century miniatures shows a Behemoth riding a Leviathan. He has an additional face on his chest, which is explained by the legend,dating back to medieval bestiaries. It says that this mythical creature comes from a race that lived in India and had a head on the chest, not on the shoulders.

The word "behemoth" comes from "behem", which in Hebrew in the plural means "animal". Initially, it was mentioned in the Bible, where it described the animal that God told the righteous Job about. In the Book of Job, the Behemoth did not have a negative connotation and was not a spiritual mythical creature. In the Bible translated into Church Slavonic, the specified word is used in the meaning of "beast".