What Does the Bible Say about Eating Sugar?

When researching sugar addiction for an article, I discovered that many Christians are asking, ”What does the Bible say about eating sugar?”

When you think about sugar, usually a picture of table sugar comes to mind. However, sugar in this form did not even exist in Biblical days, so the Bible doesn’t say anything about it directly.

However, we can still exercise Biblical wisdom based on how eating sugar affects us mentally and physically.

In this article, we will cover the following:

God-Made vs Man-Made Sugar

God created plant-based foods as stated in Genesis 1:29:

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.''

Most edible plants, such as corn, beets, and sugar cane, have natural sugar contained within them.

But the Lord locked the sugar in a fiber matrix within the plant. So when we eat the plant, we receive the goodness of fiber to help keep our digestive systems running smoothly, plus the sugar is released slowly so the body can process it efficiently.

However, man took the corn, beets, and sugar cane that God made and removed the fiber, processing the resulting juice into sugar, which is the fine, white powder we know today.

Man-made sugar is processed much more quickly in the body. It can cause blood sugar highs and crashes, plus can have addictive properties, similar to other white powders such as cocaine and heroin.

Biblical Scriptures about Honey

The closest scriptures the Bible mentions concerning sugar are about honey.

Honey has about the same sweetness level as processed sugar. However, honey has other benefits such as trace levels of nutrients, plus has anti-microbial properties. It has even been used for wound healing!

Still, even as good as raw honey is, the Bible cautions against eating too much of it.

Here is what the scriptures say about honey:

''My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.''

- Proverbs 24:13-14

Now before you think, ''Yippee! I can eat as much raw honey as I want,''' read on for the complete picture. Proverbs goes on to say:

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.''

- Proverbs 25:16

Vomiting is not a pretty picture is it? While the Bible says that eating honey is good, it cautions against overindulgence.

So God's word says that eating too much honey (sweets) will make you physically sick. The conclusion is below:

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.''

- Proverbs 25:27

This scripture compares the indulgence of eating too much honey to the self-absorption of pride. Neither one is attractive!

Biblical Wisdom about Sugar