Calories and the Conscience

At a cafe years ago I observed something that was akin to reverse culture shock.  I am originally from California, and while living in Australia shared coffee with a ministry team also from the Golden State.  One fellow's interest was drawn to a particular item he wondered might be too rich--especially since he had not been going to the gym as usual.  After hearing him audibly vacillate between two opinions I encouraged him to order the item as a special treat, for he would possibly never have the opportunity to order it again.  He did so only to pawn it off on everyone else--not because it did not suit his sweet tooth--but because he could not stop talking about how many calories he was putting into his body.

After every reluctant bite he would say something like, "Now I need to go on a jog!" or "That will be another 15 minutes in the gym" and "Don't tell my wife."  As one who enjoys baking and eating desserts of all kinds, this behaviour was most baffling.  If I knew he was going to complain through the whole dish I might have suggested the kale salad as that seemed more suited to his conscience.  I remember another occasion when I watched a father beg his child not to say anything to her mum about the fries he allowed her to have with her meal rather than carrot sticks or apple slices.  I have seen many such interactions over the years and it has taken me awhile to process them.  While the circumstances faced by the early church has changed, the principles about eating, drinking and choosing to walk in love towards others without putting a stumbling block in their way are relevant to this day.

Much has been said that the Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol in itself but drunkenness is forbidden.  We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit rather than being drunk with wine.  The same is true concerning calories:  eating calories is not a sin in itself, whether it is a dessert or a burger from McDonald's.  It is not a sin to eat thousands of calories in one sitting, and it is not a sin to count them and choose not to eat them.  It is a sin, however, when we stand in judgment of others because they eat "junk" or mock people who refuse all meat or fried foods.  Years ago the cliche went, "Cleanliness is next to godliness" and perhaps now "Fitness is next to godliness."  Both of these statements are incorrect.  While there are obvious health benefits to good personal hygiene, having a nourishing diet with moderation and physical fitness, eating dessert with bacon is not in itself a sin.  Lying about it to your wife, that's another story.

The freedom God gives us to eat and drink is not a justification for gluttony.  Instead of giving place to drunkenness, strife and envy Romans 13:14 says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."  Instead of disputing over the amount of calories we consume or what kind of milk we drink, the following passage can be applied in Romans 14:2-4:  "For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. ³ Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. ⁴ Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand."  It is good for those who want to "eat all things" to show restraint, considering the health of their bodies and at a potluck thinking about others who are hungry too.  If we cannot have self-control, perhaps it is wise not to buy the large tub of ice cream.  Calories are not the enemy, and no one is condemned by them.  Instead of putting pressure on others to conform to our convictions concerning diet, let us walk in love of God and one another with integrity--aware of our own propensity to gluttony and vanity.