Everybody that loves sugar, please raise your hand with the fat fingers. Processed food is high on the list of favorites for the morbidly obese and not only for the morbidly obese but also for the “intentionally” obese. Fresh fruits and vegetables can’t hold a ‘vanilla cinnamon’ scented candle to foods that are processed with high-fructose corn syrup. Obesity-related symptoms like type 2 diabetes and heart disease are on the short list for the leading causes of preventable death.
We crave the tasty stuff that’s high in fat and sugar. And guess what—that’s the stuff that’s killing us! If the food you love is “processed” beware, if it has fiber and is “unprocessed” you’re good2go! In other words, if it comes in God’s packaging it’s good period, like: bananas in their own peel, apples in their own skin, nuts in their own shells, corn in its own husk, melons in their own rind, those many berries and the food list is long.
But let’s face facts; our willpower is not our strongest suit. We gravitate towards what we desire instead of what we know to be healthy for us. Food is the most common item we make daily errors in judgment on, but it’s not the most important. We are creatures of habit, and habits are like concrete shoes. What about the “real” issues of life, do we engage them?
After Jesus was baptized he secluded himself in the desert and spent the next forty days fasting. During this time Jesus was tempted by the devil. At the end of this period Jesus was hungry. “The devil said to him, ‘if you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered, “It is written; Man does not live by bread alone.” Luke 4 The second temptation was the devil offering Jesus, ‘all the kingdoms of the world!’ Jesus told the devil, “It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Luke 4 The third temptation was the devil trying to test God. Jesus simply answered, “It is written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4
Do you see a pattern here? When Jesus was tempted, each time his response was—“It is written!” The devil gained nothing, and the Word of the Lord rebuked his advances. The devil doesn’t say ‘You won’t surely die’ anymore, but he does sugar coat it saying ‘You won’t surely go to hell’. When you are tempted, do you quote Scripture? Could you quote Scripture? Need help? Start here!
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you O Lord”. Psalm 199:11
“All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For the word of God is living and active” Hebrews 4:12
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”. Ephesians 6:19-20
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