Shepherds and Self-Control: Why Gluttony Disqualifies Pastors. Churches rightly expect pastors to be above reproach in doctrine and character. Yet one sin—gluttony—often hides in plain sight. Scripture calls for leaders who are “self-controlled & disciplined” (Titus 1:8 NASB) and “temperate” (1 Timothy 3:2 NASB), yet overindulgence in food is frequently ignored. Gluttony is not about body shape; it is about surrendering to appetite instead of the Spirit. For pastors, this is

Gluttony: The Overlooked Sin. In a culture obsessed with food, indulgence, and endless “all you can eat,” gluttony has become the sin no one wants to talk about. Yet the Bible speaks with striking clarity. Gluttony is not merely eating a large meal on a holiday; it is a pattern of overindulgence that treats appetite as a master. Scripture names it alongside drunkenness, greed, and idolatry—yet in many Christian circles it is scarcely mentioned.