A Healthy Diet

I really want to follow up yesterday's post with something of greater importance. I think we can all agree that what you eat can directly effect your health... for the good or bad. I'd like to propose, that likewise, what we feed our minds and souls, directly effects our spiritual health.

Note: this post is written for those who have already put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour. If you haven't but would like to, you can leave your e-mail in the comments section or read this article.

Let's look at three aspects of health:

1. Weight: In our day to day lives we want to see people that are at a healthy weight. The same holds true in our spiritual walks. Healthy people can eat a lot of food... as long as they choose healthy options and exercise enough. Job said, "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (23:12) Imagine hungering for the word of God like that?? Job had a healthy spiritual weight indeed! In order for us to have that same healthy weight we need to feast on the Word of God throughout our free moments. And tell others about what we have learned (that's the exercise part)!

2. Overall health/cancer: If we hear of someone who has advanced stage cancer, generally we would say they are in poor health. Can you think of spiritual cancer? What about sin? Sin, just like cancer, starts off small. But if it is left alone it has the potential to ultimately kill us! Only the Lord Jesus Himself was able to lead a perfect life. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8, 9

3. Behavior: Some people may not agree with me on this, but I believe that what we eat, can at times effect our actions (hence yesterday's post). Most of you are probably familiar with the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5:22, 23) Just because we have the Spirit dwelling in us does not mean that these fruits will be manifested. If we fill our mind with "junk food" on a regular basis, we aren't leaving much room for the Spirit of God to shine forth. Again, reading the Word is essential as also is praying without ceasing.

The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? (i.e.- the toilet gets it!) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." Matthew 15: 17, 18

I stated yesterday that food is important to me... and it is, but what is MORE important is what goes into my spiritual walk. Some days feel more junk filled than others, but that should motivate me (and you!) to keep pressing on.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Phil. 4:8