Please, eat responsibly

How many times have we visited a friend, and instead of eating dinner we've gorged on chocolate and potato chips? At the time it feels good, but pretty soon we wonder if 'fibre' or 'vitamins' may have been the better choice. We feel both full and strangely empty at the same time. Peter's getting at the same idea here: 'As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow' (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV). Our body and soul naturally cry out for nourishment.

The temptation to seek soul-nourishment in ways that aren't God-filled can be really strong, and we don't always notice ourselves doing it. Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1) are quick fixes, and can give the short-lived illusion that they're just what we need to feel 'full' (in that moment when we lash out in reaction, it can feel a guilty sort of satisfying... until we spiritually sober up and catch what we're doing). But, this is not the proper 'fruit and veg' spiritual nourishment we long for.

God gives a full list of his culinary recommendations in Galatians 5:22-23: to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. It's not always easy to choose to 'eat' healthily, but the good thing is we can pray for God's help to do it.



So what now? Eat your five-a-day. And ask, 'Lord, give me a hunger for your nourishment.' Decide which fruit of the Spirit you need most in your diet today.





— SCRIPTURE —

'As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word.' 1 Peter 2:2 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Deut 32:29-34:12, Matt 14:13-21, Ps 119:17-24 , Pro 17:7-10