Is anorexia a sin?
From what I understand, “Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to maintain a healthy weight for his or her age and height. It is a self-imposed starvation resulting from a distorted body image. The individual typically loses 25% or more of his or her original body weight.” “People with anorexia nervosa have an overwhelming fear of obesity. They see themselves as fat, even when they are malnourished. They will deny hunger, even when they are starving. Body protein and fat stores become depleted.”
We were created by God. God cares about how we treat our bodies: I believe the disorder itself is not a sin; however, treating our bodies in a way we shouldn’t is a sin. We are all sinners and we all do things we should not do; that is why we should always seek God in prayer so we do not fall into temptation. The good thing to remember is that we have a high priest that knows us so we can always ask for forgiveness and as long as we are sincere, he will forgive us.
The following verses tells us how God feels about our bodies:
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 cor 3: 16, 17
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 1 cor 6:15
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 cor 10:31
Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 cor 6:19, 20
I would encourage anyone with this disorder or any other type of diseases to seek the Lord and also seek medical help.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 chronicles 7:14
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Psalm 103: 1-6
God bless you!
Yvonne Goldman
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I think that this is an issue that should be addressed very carefully. Anorexia is a disorder that should be treated with good medical care/counseling, support of family and friends, and most of all, prayer. While anorexia is not addressed in the Bible, it can be overcome like many over problems such as depression, alcoholism, etc. I see no Scriptural evidence to suggest that anorexia is caused by demons or sin. Here’s what the Bible says to those facing affliction:
Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (NIV) Remember that God is with you, even with it looks like there’s no hope.
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
James 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (NIV) Be persistant in prayer.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV) God is able to help those facing problems overcome them for their good and to His glory.
Romans 15:1 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” (NIV) The support of loved ones and friends is vital.
Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (NIV)
If you are struggling with any problems and do not have christ in your life, I invite you to answer the Savior’s Call!
In His love from your sister in Christ,
AJ Demers
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Yes it is. Our bodies belong to the Lord and we should keep them clean and holy. The following are a few scriptures that will point to this.
Genesis 1:29 says “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed…and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.”
Exodus 23:25 says “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Corinthians 3:15-17 says “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
MAY ALL BE BLESSED!
Love And Blessings DeeDee
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Mathew 6:16 says when ye fast be not of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast verily i say unto you they have their reward, yes anorexia is sinful in a sense that its is disfigurement of the body meaning if you are fasting in order to be thin rather to be fasting for a prayer to be answered, i feel that would be in a sinful way.
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I would rank it with overeating. Our bodies are the temple of God. But, telling someone to eat more or to eat less is not very helpful. By asking this question, I think you need to be warned that there is one thing very damaging to God’s kingdom: Telling someone that what they are doing is wrong without giving the why AND the solution.
From what I have seen of eating disorders, parenting is the real issue. If the one suffering with anorexia is still a child and you are the parent, then it is you who needs counseling first. If the one with an eating disorder is an adult, then the childhood damage need to be healed first!
I can not over emphasize enough the importance of a willingness on the part of all people involved to desire health of every kind. I also declare it imperative to find a counselor who has results in working with Jesus to set people free. Very few counselors are Christians and very few of these work on root causes.
Focusing on the external habits will not get results. Setting a piece of cake in front of an anorexic is not solving the problem. “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Todd Shilt