Yesterday we looked at Competitive Eating and its current popularity. We also looked at how it has garnered national and international attention. There are people today whose only goal in life is to aspire to win one of these competitions. To win money. To become famous.
Now I know that Competitive Eating is a ‘sport’. And that the contestants don’t eat like this all the time. But just the same I wonder. My first question is, how do these events line up with Scripture? Is this something that I would want to participate in? I’m not trying to be negative. Or critical. Heaven knows how many self-righteous Christians there are these days who frown on just about everything! On the other hand I don’t think that there is anything wrong with objectively evaluating something. My view of Scripture is that everything that we do ought to be viewed in terms of whether it glorifies God or not. So, here goes.
To begin with, the Bible says nothing about Competitive Eating that I am aware of. It does, however, talk about gluttony. In Proverbs 23:20-21 we are warned, “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.” What exactly is gluttony? It is excess in eating or drinking. Now on one hand, there is no denying that this is precisely what Competitive Eating is - excessive overeating. On the other hand, it is not over-eating as a result of a lack of self-control or an addiction. It is a competition. As a result I wouldn’t apply Galatians 5:23 (specifically, self-control). So, is Competitive Eating OK then? Let’s look at a few more aspects before we decide.
Interestingly, the America Medical Association has taken a stand on the practice. They have endorsed a resolution that recognizes that “competitive speed eating is an unhealthy eating practice with potential adverse consequences.” One doctor called it a form of binge eating. I don’t care what you say, the word ‘binge’ is never a good one. The fact is that Competitive Eating can be hazardous to one’s health. First of all, a good number of contestants end up vomiting the food that they eat. Not only is this decidedly gross, it is hard on the body. Especially for those contestants who compete on a regular basis. Isn’t vomiting an issue with anorexics? Secondly, overeating can lead to a ruptured stomach. Or worse. Like death. Consider the 23-year-old Taiwanese student who choked to death in October 2010 after eating 2 rice & cheese-filled buns too quickly. Then there is the Californian woman who died after drinking almost two gallons of water in a competition sponsored by a local radio station. These are just some of the people who have died from Competitive Eating contests.
What does the Bible say about this? How about I Corinthians 6:19-20. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” I think it’s safe to say that putting our health at risk certainly isn’t honoring God.
Then there is the question of motivation. I can’t speak to a particular contestant’s motivation for engaging in Competitive Eating. But if it is rooted in pride or greed that certainly is not a Christ-like attitude.
Then, what about being an example? Does this have anything to do with our discussion? The question is, would I really want to encourage others to engage in this activity? Also, is this something that I would be happy if my children participated in? In I Corinthians 10:31 we read, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Is a public display of overeating glorifying to God? You’ll have to answer that for yourself.
When all is said and done, I see a lot of downside to the practice. Now this doesn’t mean that I would condemn a good-natured eating contest. If done in moderation. Or some sort of food challenge. However I would want to consider why I am doing this. And what I hope to accomplish. And whether I am promoting godliness in it. I guess, in the end, it comes down to personal convictions. What would God have us do in this situation. Tomorrow I want to look at Competitive Eating in light of world hunger. Stay tuned.
Lord, Your Word clearly tells me that I should glorify You in everything that I do. In my eating. In my drinking. In my working. In my leisure. May Your Holy Spirit guide me in the ‘gray’ areas of life. Help me to glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now I know that Competitive Eating is a ‘sport’. And that the contestants don’t eat like this all the time. But just the same I wonder. My first question is, how do these events line up with Scripture? Is this something that I would want to participate in? I’m not trying to be negative. Or critical. Heaven knows how many self-righteous Christians there are these days who frown on just about everything! On the other hand I don’t think that there is anything wrong with objectively evaluating something. My view of Scripture is that everything that we do ought to be viewed in terms of whether it glorifies God or not. So, here goes.
To begin with, the Bible says nothing about Competitive Eating that I am aware of. It does, however, talk about gluttony. In Proverbs 23:20-21 we are warned, “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.” What exactly is gluttony? It is excess in eating or drinking. Now on one hand, there is no denying that this is precisely what Competitive Eating is - excessive overeating. On the other hand, it is not over-eating as a result of a lack of self-control or an addiction. It is a competition. As a result I wouldn’t apply Galatians 5:23 (specifically, self-control). So, is Competitive Eating OK then? Let’s look at a few more aspects before we decide.
Interestingly, the America Medical Association has taken a stand on the practice. They have endorsed a resolution that recognizes that “competitive speed eating is an unhealthy eating practice with potential adverse consequences.” One doctor called it a form of binge eating. I don’t care what you say, the word ‘binge’ is never a good one. The fact is that Competitive Eating can be hazardous to one’s health. First of all, a good number of contestants end up vomiting the food that they eat. Not only is this decidedly gross, it is hard on the body. Especially for those contestants who compete on a regular basis. Isn’t vomiting an issue with anorexics? Secondly, overeating can lead to a ruptured stomach. Or worse. Like death. Consider the 23-year-old Taiwanese student who choked to death in October 2010 after eating 2 rice & cheese-filled buns too quickly. Then there is the Californian woman who died after drinking almost two gallons of water in a competition sponsored by a local radio station. These are just some of the people who have died from Competitive Eating contests.
What does the Bible say about this? How about I Corinthians 6:19-20. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” I think it’s safe to say that putting our health at risk certainly isn’t honoring God.
Then there is the question of motivation. I can’t speak to a particular contestant’s motivation for engaging in Competitive Eating. But if it is rooted in pride or greed that certainly is not a Christ-like attitude.
Then, what about being an example? Does this have anything to do with our discussion? The question is, would I really want to encourage others to engage in this activity? Also, is this something that I would be happy if my children participated in? In I Corinthians 10:31 we read, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Is a public display of overeating glorifying to God? You’ll have to answer that for yourself.
When all is said and done, I see a lot of downside to the practice. Now this doesn’t mean that I would condemn a good-natured eating contest. If done in moderation. Or some sort of food challenge. However I would want to consider why I am doing this. And what I hope to accomplish. And whether I am promoting godliness in it. I guess, in the end, it comes down to personal convictions. What would God have us do in this situation. Tomorrow I want to look at Competitive Eating in light of world hunger. Stay tuned.
Lord, Your Word clearly tells me that I should glorify You in everything that I do. In my eating. In my drinking. In my working. In my leisure. May Your Holy Spirit guide me in the ‘gray’ areas of life. Help me to glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Nitpicky note: Vomiting is an issue primarily with bulimia, not anorexia
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