The Bible teaches us to “put off your old self which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” (Ephesians 4:22). Instead, you are to “be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self-created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:23-24). This isn’t a one-time occurrence. This must be done daily because temptation comes every day. The fight for possession of the Promised Land of Healthy and Fit for Life is “not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual wickedness in the high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12). Therefore, we are commanded to “put on the whole armor of God” daily (Ephesians 6:13).
Before Jesus embarked on His spiritual mission to redeem mankind, He spent time alone with the Father, fasting in the wilderness. Sensing a moment of weakness, Satan tempted our Lord to stop abstaining from food in humble submission to the Father and urged Jesus to break His fast. Jesus responded with the Word of God and said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Similarly, when the disciples thought Jesus was hungry, He told them He had already eaten. This confused them because they had not seen Him eat, but Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of the One who sent Me and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
As in every other aspect of life, Jesus exemplified in these Scriptures how to eat for the glory of God. No, you do not have to abstain from food and beverages for forty (40) days and nights, but you must commit to “honor God with your body” by maintaining the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is your body. This is not a choice. It is a command. Therefore, when you are tempted to disobey the command, you follow Jesus’ example and fight back with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17) by continuing to follow your health and fitness plan to lose weight or treatment plan for an eating disorder out of loving obedience to God, which is a form of worship.
What you will discover is the phenomenal truth of Jesus’ statement to His disciples, that is, obeying God’s will to eat and drink for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) is sustenance not just to your spirit, but also to your physical body. In other words, the Holy Spirit gives you what you lack, self-control, and fulfills His promise that if you “resist the devil, he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
The battle for the healthy and fit version of you is spiritual warfare, and you must prepare your heart, mind, spirit, and body for the onslaught from the enemy so you can stand against the evil onslaught each day. If you are ready to put your war clothes on and learn to fight with the full armor of God, then 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, and 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!
C.E.O. of EAW Ministries
