In a world where indulgence is only a click, bite, or scroll away, overindulgence—whether with food, media, or even certain thought patterns—can feel almost impossible to resist. Personally, I know this all too well as I have struggled for decades with disordered eating habits and feel like a failure more often than not. But gluttony affects our physical health as well as our minds and spirits. Fortunately, God gives us a powerful gift to overcome it: self-control.

Gluttony and the Struggle for Control

Whether we’re dealing with cravings for certain foods or the urge to doomscroll, the challenge often comes down to control. Gluttony whispers to us that satisfaction lies in just “a little bit more.” True satisfaction is never found in overindulgence. It often leaves us feeling more trapped and less in control.

Many of us try to exercise self-control once we’re already deep into temptation. We start with a small thought: “Maybe I’ll just have a taste,” or, “I’ll scroll for just a few more minutes.” Before we know it, we’re seeking the dopamine hit, and by the time we decide to act, it’s tough to say no.

The Key to Real Self-Control: Cutting Temptation Off at the Thought Level

Scripture provides us with a crucial insight for handling temptation. Romans 12:2 teaches us that transformation comes through the renewal of our minds: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

The truth is, trying to exert self-control at the decision level is often too late. The best time to exercise self-control is at the thought level. This means stopping the temptation as soon as it begins—cutting it off before it grows into desire. By renewing our minds with Scripture, we have the power to replace tempting thoughts with thoughts that align with God’s will, filling us with true satisfaction instead of empty cravings.

Filling Our Minds with God’s Word

Psalm 119:11 gives us a simple but powerful practice: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” When we regularly fill our minds with God’s word, it becomes easier to recognize and reject tempting thoughts before they take hold. By replacing temptation with Scripture, we shift our focus to something lasting that satisfies at a deeper level.

Practical Steps to Embrace Self-Control with Scripture

1. Capture Your Thoughts Early: When you notice a tempting thought, stop it before it can grow. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 10:5, which encourages us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Capture the thought before it becomes a desire.
2. Memorize Key Verses: Filling our minds with verses like “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1) reminds us that God meets all our needs.
3. Redirect Your Focus: When a craving or urge surfaces, repeat Scripture in your mind or out loud. For instance, if you’re struggling with food temptation, you might recite “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
4. Engage in Mindful Prayer: Ask God for strength whenever temptation arises. By inviting Him into our struggles at the thought level, we rely on His strength rather than our own.
5. Use Scripture-Based Affirmations: Declare biblical truths over your life, such as, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). These affirmations help reframe our minds toward self-control and reliance on God.

The Freedom of Letting Go

When we choose self-control at the thought level, we let go of our struggle for control and trust God with our needs. This approach allows us to experience freedom from the cycle of overindulgence. By stopping temptation at its source and filling our minds with God’s word, we find lasting satisfaction—not in temporary cravings, but in the strength and peace that come from aligning with God’s will.

So, the next time temptation arises, let’s take a moment to remember: the key to lasting self-control is a renewed mind. As we cut off temptation at the head and fill our minds with Scripture, we’ll find that God’s strength is more than enough to carry us through.

In what ways do YOU struggle with gluttony, and how do you stop yourself from overindulging in food, shopping, drinking, or too much time online?