The Bible does not explicitly mention “junk food” as we know it today, since highly processed foods loaded with sugar, fat, and salt were not available in biblical times. However, the Bible does provide principles about taking care of our bodies and practicing self-control that can guide Christians in making wise choices about their diets.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” This verse teaches that our bodies belong to God and should be treated with care because the Holy Spirit resides within us. Eating excessive amounts of junk food that lead to obesity and poor health fails to properly value our body as God’s temple.
Gluttony is a sin
Proverbs 23:20-21 warns: “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” Gluttony refers to habitual overeating and consuming food for pleasure in excessive amounts. When we make junk food a regular part of our diet, it can promote gluttony and lead to obesity and other health issues. As Christians, we are called to practice self-control and moderation in our eating habits (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Junk food often becomes an idol
Philippians 3:19 describes those who make their “god their belly” – when food and appetite become our focus and priority in life. An addiction to junk food and living to satisfy our taste buds above all else goes against God’s will. We are called to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, not the immediate gratification found in processed snacks high in sugar, salt and fat (Matthew 6:33).
Take care of your body
1 Corinthians 6:12 says, “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” As Christians we have freedom in Christ, but should not use that freedom to make destructive choices. Regularly consuming junk food is not beneficial for our health and can even become domineering, as we become controlled by cravings for fat, salt and sugar. Instead, we should make wise choices that care for our bodies.
Eat in moderation
Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Moderation means not overindulging but exercising restraint and self-control. When it comes to junk food, moderation is key – an occasional treat may be fine, but making it a daily habit can be gluttonous and unhealthy. We can apply this principle of moderation to nourish our bodies in a balanced way.
Make wise choices
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Making choices about our diet is an area where we can honor the Lord by using wisdom. Consuming excessive junk food recklessly disregards health in favor of momentary pleasures of overindulgence. But making thoughtful choices about our bodies demonstrates good stewardship of the bodies God gave us.
Practice self-control
Proverbs 25:28 warns that “a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that should characterize believers’ lives (Galatians 5:23). Practicing moderation in how often and how much junk food we eat exercises spiritual discipline and Christlike self-control, rather than surrendering to food cravings, appetite and habit.
Junk food can lead to laziness and greed
Proverbs 21:25-26 cautions against self-indulgent appetites: “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.” Junk food often becomes a lazy temptation that stifles productivity and purpose. Overeating fattening, processed snacks can also cultivate greed, as we always want more than we ought to have. Self-control is key.
Seek heavenly values over earthly desires
Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” An excessive fixation on junk food makes it an earthly desire that distracts us from higher heavenly priorities. As Christians we should value God’s kingdom more than fleeting junk food cravings. Moderation and self-control can help keep these momentary pleasures in their proper place.
Our dietary choices affect others
1 Corinthians 8:13 says, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” While this verse addresses eating meat sacrificed to idols, the principle applies more broadly. If our poor eating habits or mindless overindulgence in junk food causes a weaker brother to follow a destructive example, we should reconsider our actions. Our choices can impact others either negatively or positively.
Junk food provides empty calories
Isaiah 55:2 asks, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” Junk food often provides empty calories devoid of nutrition or lasting satisfaction. As Christians, we are called to steward our resources wisely for that which truly nourishes – both physically and spiritually. Moderation in treats that do not build health allows more room for nutritious choices.
God cares about physical needs
Philippians 4:19 promises, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Physical hunger and nutrition are real needs God promises to provide for within His will. But junk food is often merely a want stemming from cravings, habit or boredom. Fulfilling our true needs may require avoiding unhealthy indulgences that can leave us undernourished.
Focus on nourishing your body
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 declares, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Consuming excessive junk food shows poor stewardship over our bodies as God’s temples. Making positive choices to nourish our bodies with more fruits, vegetables, fiber, protein and nutrients better cares for these physical “temples” we have been given.
Junk food can harm your witness
1 Thessalonians 5:22 instructs, “Abstain from every form of evil.” While eating junk food is not inherently evil, a visible focus on chasing unhealthy indulgences can damage our gospel witness before unbelievers. As our lives attract others to Christ, we should ensure that our habits and priorities reflect His lordship – including our food choices.
Practice thankfulness at meals
1 Timothy 4:3-4 states, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” At mealtimes, we can give thanks to God for provision – even for occasional junk food treats. Thankfulness puts excess in perspective. But overindulgence in processed snacks can displace our gratitude, moderation and self-control.
Avoid unhealthy dependencies
1 Corinthians 6:12 warns, “I will not be enslaved to anything.” An excessive appetite for junk food can easily turn into an unhealthy dependency if we are not careful. Seeking satisfaction through God and finding our sufficiency in Christ should be our focus in life rather than becoming addicted to food, which we can ultimately live without (John 6:35).
Guard your heart
Proverbs 4:23 instructs, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Our hearts in scripture represent the control center of our thoughts, emotions and choices. An excess of junk food that leads to poor health and lack of self-control can indicate a heart that has embraced fleeting pleasures over godly wisdom and moderation. Guarding our hearts requires vigilance.
Junk food provides fleeting pleasure
Hebrews 11:25 describes the temporary, fleeting pleasures of sin. While junk food is not inherently sinful, an excessive appetite for fatty, sugary, salty snacks can reflect merely living for momentary gratification. As Christians we can practice restraint and moderation, keeping these earthly indulgences in their temporary place while living for eternal rewards.
Make choices that honor God
1 Corinthians 10:31 declares, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our eating habits are not exempt from bringing glory to God. Choices that honor our bodies as His temple, exercise moderation and self-control, and avoid overindulgence in unhealthy junk food can rightly magnify Christ. Our lives must reflect His lordship.
Junk food often leads to excess
Galatians 5:23 includes “self-control” as a fruit of the Spirit that should characterize believers’ lives. The convenience, overabundance and instant gratification of junk food makes overindulgence and poor health very easy. But the Holy Spirit working within Christians enables them to exhibit moderation and restraint, keeping fleeting junk food pleasures in check for godly purposes.
Seek balance and variety in diet
Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 warns against overindulging in sensual pleasures at the cost of other important priorities. Christians should strive for a balanced approach to eating, including fruits, vegetables, fiber, protein and other nutrients to properly nourish God’s temple. Variety in moderation is wise, without allowing any food to become an idol.
Avoid mindless eating
1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful.” Mindless overeating that fails to exercise restraint goes against the instruction in this verse. Being sober-minded requires purposefulness in our eating that is not driven purely by immediate cravings. Wise choices enable us to nourish our bodies best within God’s will and our caloric needs.
Pursue fruits of the spirit, not junk food
Galatians 5:22-23 contrasts the fleeting pleasures of junk food with longer-lasting spiritual fruits that please God: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” By God’s grace and the Spirit’s work in believers, these traits can increasingly characterize their lives far more than any junk food dependence.
Seek lasting satisfaction in Christ
John 6:35 records Jesus’ promise, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” While occasional treats may be fine, no junk food can provide the lasting spiritual nourishment and satisfaction found in Christ alone. He is the only source of eternal sustenance that should be our primary focus in life.
In summary, the Bible does not prohibit eating sweets and treats in moderation. But God’s word clearly cautions against gluttony, excess and overdependence on fleeting junk food pleasures that disregard our health and His lordship. Wise Christians can thoughtfully apply scriptural principles to make careful food choices that honor God and properly value their bodies as His holy temples.
