Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore, I say unto you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink, nor for your body as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Matthew 6:24-25)? According to the Books of Matthew and 1 Corinthians, the answer to both of the Lord’s rhetorical questions is yes.
Jesus explained to us that we should not worry about food for sustenance because God knows what we need, so He will provide the food and beverages necessary to sustain us just as He provides for the birds and flowers (Matthew 6:26-34). He further clarified that our spiritual relationship with Him was much more important. Specifically, Jesus said that, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Likewise, the Bible teaches us that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and commands us to honor God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Nevertheless, our society proves that people in this country are more concerned about food and their bodies than they are about their spiritual relationship with God, but not because they are afraid of starving. Philippians 3:18-19 best illustrates the problem. It says, “Many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
In other words, we live in a society that is so obsessed with food, over one-third (1/3) of Americans is not only entangled with the sin of gluttony, but many more are also diagnosed with eating disorders and suffering from obesity related illnesses. Moreover, they have also committed the sin of idolatry by giving in to every craving of their stomachs and elevating food from the status of sustenance to their comforter.
Neither your body nor food was not meant to be served as a false god. On the contrary, your body was meant to be a spiritual house for the One True Living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 2:4). Food was meant to keep you alive and healthy. I encourage you today to lay aside every weight and repent of the sins of gluttony and idolatry that have easily beset you (Hebrews 12:1). Renounce the idols you have made of your stomach, food, and beverages, then return wholeheartedly to the One True Living God! But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, choose this day whom you will serve…, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
If you have chosen the Lord as your God, register today for the Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries Health and Fitness Master Class, featuring Dr. Tara Cannon, author of Health and Wellness for the Believer, Elsa Oliver, Christian nutritionist, and Debra Jones, first lady and corporate personal trainer. The classes are free! There are no registration fees or membership fees! Participants are only responsible for the cost of the class materials. Classes begin online only on Monday, February 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. CST! Space is limited. Sign up now at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org! If you are unable to take the course, purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God. Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ. Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, diet, and exercise tips. Tune in to our syndicated radio show on the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends. Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!