LIving With Risks-Finding Security in a Risk-Filled World

Overcoming Risky Habits

Many people are given to extremes in eating and drinking. The consequences overeating can include diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The abuse of alcohol leads to additional problems, such as alcoholism, cirrhosis, broken families and traffic accidents. At the other extreme, obsessive dieting can also be harmful and can open the door to such life-threatening eating disorders as anorexia nervosa.

Though the Bible is not a medical textbook, it does give straightforward advice on the need for moderation in eating and drinking. "You, O my son, hear and become wise, and lead your heart on in the way. Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh. For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty." (Proverbs 23:19--21) Yet, the Bible says that eating and drinking ought to be pleasurable. "Every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God." -Ecclesiastes 3:13.

The Bible also encourages a balanced attitude toward physical exercise, affirming that "bodily training is beneficial for a little." But it adds: "Godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) 'How,' you may ask, 'is godly devotion beneficial even now?' In many ways. Besides adding a vital spiritual dimension to one's life, godly devotion nurtures such beneficial qualities as love, joy, peace and self-control - all of which contribute to a positive outlook and good health. -Galatians 5:22, 23.

Next time: Bitter Consequences of Immorality

Watchtower, 2001