Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
This passage of scripture describes for us the bruising battle over food, that was fought and won by The Lord Jesus Christ, as it transpired upon the wilderness stage. After having fasted for forty days and nights, Christ was suffering the severest pangs of hunger, and it was at this opportune moment that the tempter proposed a course of action that was entirely contrary to God's will. The real issue at stake in this temptation was whether Christ would succumb to the very real feelings of hunger and thirst, or whether He would keep His mind stayed upon the will and commands of The Father.
It is worthy of note here, that if ever there was a so-called valid reason to eat food in a manner contrary to God's revealed will, it would have been this incident, but the Bible teaches us that it is better to die in harmony with God's will, than to live in opposition to what He has stated. Now, it is a fact that as Christians, we too have our share of temptations on the issue of food, which is where the whole matter of sin got started. Some of us eat because of feelings, and others eat because of stress. Then there are those of us who may eat continually, nibbling at tidbits throughout the day, while still others are motivated by circumstances such as social gatherings, or the spirit of the holidays.
Whatever our issue might be, we are counseled in the Bible to bring our appetites under the control of reason, because the very last temptation to be brought against mankind, will involve food at some level or another, and if we do not now develop the habit of self-control, we may be in for a very rough ride when our economic privileges are taken away, because of the mark of the beast. Furthermore, we are told that if by the grace of God, we were to overcome the temptations on food, we will gain the victory over every other temptation that can be brought to bear against us. Let's read:
(Christian Temperance pp. 154) The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, who, if they had conquered on this point, would have had the moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail of perfecting Christian character. And as we draw near the close of time, Satan’s temptations to indulge appetite will be more powerful, and more difficult to resist.
The following steps are therefore necessary, if we would gain the victory over appetite, and over every other sin. We must first admit that we have a problem, if we do, for the Bible states that confession of our faults or sins, is a first necessary step in gaining the victory. Next we must pray for strength on a continual basis, so that the power of God may be with us in every situation, where temptations on appetite may surface without warning. Next, we must put a plan of dietary discipline in place, by eating regularly, refraining from snacking between meals, and avoiding the habit of binge eating, especially when we feel depressed or stressed out.
These necessary steps may seem simple, but at times we may be engaged in severe internal struggles over food, where those Twinkies call to us from atop the grocery shelves, or where those ice-cream cups and chocolate bars threaten to bring our reasoning powers under their domain. Especially should we guard against those spur of the moment urges, when feelings and taste-buds temporarily override good sense in the grocery aisles. Again, we need to be vigilant in the office, where fellow workers may be passing out candies and sweets for free, and where the stress of work may move us to eat when we should not be eating.
If those around us on the job are chomping down fritolays and chocolate bars, let us then take that as an urgent call to prayer, and we will be well served if we were to excuse ourselves for a moment, where in silence we can lift our cares and weaknesses up to God, so that He may respond with Divine energy to help us resist. Whatever may be our issues regarding food, let it be settled forever in our minds, that real, permanent victory can be ours, only if we are linked with omnipotent power.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to trust in the victorious promises of God, and if we are faithful in seeking His face over this issue, He will certainly make us more than conquerors, for He is faithful who has promised. Let's read:
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!