A honey dipped glazed donut, a sausage biscuit with egg, a half pint of cookies n cream ice cream, a pulled pork barbeque sandwich, a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips, mug of coffee with three sugars and cream or that super size it diet coke…sound so good just thinking about them…it makes your mouth water.
Do you have a host of physical complaints that you can’t seem to pinpoint the origin behind them; a constant headache, a nagging pain in your back, frequents trips to the bathroom to urinate? Could possibly some of the foods you are eating be the source of your problem? Have you become a slave to the desires of your appetite that regardless of the consequences, you continue to eat those things which have become a health risk to you? I would say your belly has become your god? No longer are we eating for the purpose food was intended for but we have, for some of us, obsessed with the pleasure it brings.
There are many references in scripture concerning food, the purpose for which it was given and warnings of its misuse.
Proverbs 23:1-3 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive”
Have you found yourself at a business dining engagement with all the food you could eat and all the wine you could drink? Food and wine are often used as a means to lure us into situations or make decisions that we might otherwise not entertain. In this scripture is a warning to man not to allow ourselves to lose our better judgment by not having control over our appetite for fine food and wine.
Psalm 104:15 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate – bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face sine and bread that sustains his heart.
It is clear that the fruits of the land were given to use to be used as nourishment for our body and to strengthen our hearts. It is when we over eat the bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, cakes, crackers and other grain products that we destroy the very heart they were intended to sustain.
Philippians4:5 Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand
Proverbs 24:13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste
Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey eat just enough – too much of it and you will vomit
The all you can eat buffets of our time are great for providing variety, but they are curse for those who cannot exercise control. It was never intended that we eat one plate after the other, piling food a mile high with each trip, eating until we barely can get up and walk out of the restaurant. Yes, there is no denying, there is pleasure in eating good food but we should strive to eat and drink to provide strength not pleasure.
You would be surprise if you cut out the coffee, the ice cream, and the diet soda that those headaches might subside. These are some of the foods a doctor would tell you to cut out of your diet if you suffered from migraine headaches. That pain in your back might be a warning sign that you are not hydrating your body with enough water and your kidneys are in jeopardy. Those donuts and that daily intake of sugar might be the reason for the frequent trips to the bathroom…an early warning signs of diabetes.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: s*xual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
As you sit down to your next meal be mindful of what you eat and even more important why you eat. Do it for the purpose for which it was given and you not only give honor to God but also live a healthier life.
Scripture quoted from the NIV
Posted By: Belinda Anderson
Friday, November 14th 2008 at 3:26PM
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