What Does the Bible Advise if You're a Glutton for Punishment?
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The Bible contains many lessons to help us have a personal relationship with God. But what happens when we don’t choose the best path? When we don’t make the correct decisions? Do we try to punish ourselves? What does the Bible advise if you’re a glutton for punishment?
What Is a Glutton for Punishment?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “glutton” as “one given habitually to greedy and voracious eating and drinking.” Also, “one that has a great capacity for accepting or enduring something.”
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines punishment as “suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution” and severe, rough, or disastrous treatment.
Perhaps you have heard someone say, “They are glutton for punishment.” Maybe you have considered that thought when you learn of someone who keeps doing the same action though they know the outcome will not be favorable. Have you ever been in that position?
Continuing to drink alcohol excessively, constantly overeating, and loving money or things, are examples of how we can be a glutton for punishment. However, it can be any continuing behavior that places the focus on something other than God. Some people have trouble controlling their behavior, and some believe they must punish themselves for their actions.
Many health professionals—medical doctors, therapists, and psychologists—report seeing patients who do destructive things as a way to punish themselves. Fortunately, God has granted many of these professionals the wisdom to provide healing.
What Does the Bible Say about Punishment?
The Bible tells readers multiple times to avoid harmful behavior. For example, Proverbs warns against abusing mealtimes or alcohol.
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” (Proverbs 23:20-12 NIV)
What happens when a specific sin can’t be controlled? People deal with their shortcomings in different ways. 1 Corinthians warns us not to let activities overpower us. Although we are forgiven as believers, the passage warns that we do not have permission to sin without punishment or consequence.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV)
Proverbs also addresses certain destructive behaviors that God hates (also known as the deadly sins).
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)
Some of these sins have more destructive consequences than others. Overeating can lead to serious health issues. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholism. Harmful behavior to self or others can cause pain. Actions have consequences in every moment.
Children and adults need to know the consequences of their actions. Crossing the street without looking both ways can cause harm or death. Telling a lie to an employer can cause distrust and shameful feelings. Judges, officials, and laws hold people accountable for their actions. In the situation of crime, trust in the judicial system is vital. Therefore, trustworthy leaders must be chosen to serve.
Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV).
While we need to respect society’s systems that punish certain behaviors, we must also remember that whatever sins we commit, God does not want us to punish ourselves through harm and danger. God wants us to go to Him in prayer and seek His guidance.
While Proverbs 3 and Hebrews 12 both talk about God disciplining people, those verses make two things very clear.
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.” (Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV)
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” (Hebrews 12:7-8)
First, these verses say that God is providing the rebuke. We do not punish ourselves for our sins. God decides when discipline needs to be given.
Second, God’s discipline has a point: making us healthier children. As Vivian Bricker points out, God’s disciple is always a means to wake us up to our mistakes and point us to something better. His discipline is an invitation. Each time we fail and fall short of God’s plan, he offers us the opportunity to repent and renew.
Knowing these truths, we should be humble when we see people sinning. Are we quick to judge? Are we ready to dole out punishment immediately? Are we aware of our own sins? Do we remember that God has the final say?
We also need to recognize that whatever consequences we experience for sin, the Bible tells us that if we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, the final punishment for sin is gone. Jesus took away our punishment as He died on the cross.
Bad things may happen due to our sins, but those are not sadistic divine retribution. God teaches us valuable lessons through every moment. We can learn and share wisdom with others.
What Does the Bible Say about Not Being Used?
We may not only be tempted to punish ourselves for our sins. We may be tempted to let others treat us poorly.
At this moment, churches are growing in different parts of the world. Christianity is spreading. Believers are sharing the Word of God. Some ministry leaders are starting podcasts. Others write blogs, offer weekly Bible studies, or share the love of God in homes and communities. Some of these leaders are trustworthy. Others sadly abuse the trust people place in them. Donations are spent on things the donors never intended. Potential donors get loads of mail requesting donations in vague language that makes it sound like they owe the organization money in exchange for “free gifts” (socks, pencils, calendars, etc.) received in the past.
Deciding what organizations to donate to is personal, something we each must consider carefully. Regardless, we need to remember God doesn’t want Christian leaders to abuse the roles he has given them. He doesn’t want us to be used or taken advantage of either. He wants us to be wise believers. Paul wasn’t above rebuking Christians who weren’t behaving wisely with what they had been given.
“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1 NIV)
This Scripture reminds us that we need to recognize there are different levels of maturity, making us susceptible to being used. Some people are new to the faith, and some have been long-time believers. Mature believers can share wisdom with newer ones to keep them from foolish situations.
There are several things we can do to learn and avoid foolishness. Sharing the Word of God can help us learn to live wisely and stay strong in our beliefs. In 1 Timothy, Paul tells Christians to pick wise leaders, not foolish ones. Paul’s list of qualifications includes that a leader must control himself. This reminds us that a leader should not be a glutton for punishment by loving money or alcohol. A leader must be worthy of respect. He should not use others, either.
What Does the Bible Say about Moving Past Shame?
Shame is usually at the root of people’s pattern of punishing themselves or letting others use them. It’s something most people face at one time or another. Our teen years can be especially embarrassing, filled with turmoil, gluttony, and poor decisions. Learning from past mistakes can help guide us to a brighter and more positive adulthood.
What about those mistakes we have trouble forgetting? Shame and fear of what others will think if they learn our sins can cause mental, physical, and spiritual harm.
First, we must remember to go to God in prayer. Acknowledge the sin. Ask God for forgiveness. Accept His forgiveness. Then, move on in faith, knowing God has forgiven sin and forever covers us with His love.
There may be times when forgiving yourself is harder than forgiving others. We know the true extent and details of the sin. We may have asked, “How can God forgive something so awful?”
The answer is that we are not God. When we ask for His forgiveness, He answers.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12 NIV)
There is always a reason behind why we are gluttons for punishment. Meeting with a professional may be part of our journey to gain tools to eliminate shame. First, go to God in prayer and ask for wisdom. He will relieve the burdens we carry.
He hears every prayer.
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
Photo Credit: Getty Images/kieferpix
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.