A way that Satan tries to attack us is by bringing us down physically. He targets our health.
As Christians, we are called to live following Christ, not gratifying the flesh. We need to part ways with the world, especially when it comes to our health and our physical bodies. The road is narrow, and the road is broad (Matthew 7:13-14). This can serve as a yardstick to measure the things in our lives. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it okay. We are called to live differently. This includes how we care for our physical health, as our bodies were bought at a price, perfectly designed by our Creator, God. We need to think carefully about how we fuel our bodies. If we put the wrong type of fuel in our cars, the engine will seize up and break down. The same goes for our bodies. If we fuel them with harmful substances, eat the wrong foods, or over-medicate ourselves, we will cease to function properly.
Just because our supermarkets are filled with sugary products doesn’t mean we have to buy them. These items will not fuel your body correctly and will eventually lead to the devastating effects these choices have on our bodies.
We need to be in optimal health to work for God. While we can't fully escape ill health in this fallen world, we don’t need to contribute to it by making poor lifestyle choices. Many of the diseases and conditions we see today—such as obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes—can be avoided if we simply eat the right foods. These health problems often lead to the need for medical intervention and pharmaceutical drugs.
But do we really need to rely on medications? Can we change our health direction and repair our health through diet and exercise? The world seeks quick fixes, and modern pharmaceutical companies often offer them. However, if we want lasting change in our health, we must not just medicate symptoms, but instead, understand the root cause. Our bodies are intricately designed by God. When something goes wrong, our bodies are telling us. Instead of covering it up with medication, we should listen to what our body is trying to tell us.
Things like frequent headaches might make it easier to just take a painkiller, but what if we took the time to figure out what’s causing them? Tooth loss, bone decay, migraines, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes can all be avoided by eating healthy. I’m certainly not saying there isn’t a place for modern medicine, but many of the problems we face could be avoided with better lifestyle choices. Use your discretion here—it’s something to consider.
Make today the day you start the road to recovery and fuel your body right.
Did you know that sugar is actually poisonous to humans? It was originally used as an agent to fatten up pigs. Humans add a chemical to sugar cane to make it safe for consumption, but over time, it’s been added to the majority of products on our shelves. It preserves food and gives it flavor, but it’s highly addictive. This is why we can’t say no to just one cookie. We overindulge, gain weight, and put fat around our vital organs that we need to survive.
Alcohol, another widely available product, has caused immense devastation—not only to health but also to families, relationships, and lives. People often think because it was around in the biblical era, it’s okay for us to consume. But the truth is, much of the wine mentioned in the Bible was actually what we know today as grape juice. When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), do you think He performed His first miracle just so people could get drunk at a party? It would contradict His word, which says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). Jesus tells us to be sober and alert (1 Peter 5:8). No, in those days, wine was essentially fermented grape juice because they couldn’t refrigerate it to preserve it. Jesus’ wine was described as the best wine, the new wine, not the old fermented wine. So, don't fall for it.
Caffeine is another addictive substance widely available in all supermarkets. It’s actually a drug (originally used to keep soldiers awake). Many of us are addicted to it. We say we can’t start our day without it. As a long-time coffee drinker, try switching to decaf for just a few days. You’ll notice mental fog, headaches, and lethargy. Should we be putting this substance in our bodies in the first place?
God designed our bodies to function perfectly without the aid of drugs. But because we don’t use the correct fuel, we need coffee to wake us up, wine to relax, and sugar to cheer us up. None of these substances help our bodies function as they were designed. Ask God for wisdom over your health and assess your diet and lifestyle choices. Are they honoring to God?
We can take a fast and stop everything at once or take it slowly, reducing the damage we’ve done over time. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but this is something we need to be mindful of regularly—not just when we get sick. Sometimes, we start a health kick when sickness knocks at our door, but once we feel better, we go back to our old ways.
Here are some tips:
Don’t eat anything packaged—it’s likely filled with sugar and preservatives.
If we’re out and hungry, this is where a lot of people fail. We need something quick, so we pick up convenience food without thinking. But if we get into the habit of picking up a piece of fruit or a vegetable instead, we can plan ahead. What fruit do you like? Buy that the next time you’re in that situation. Plan in advance to make better choices.
Stick to the fresh aisles and cook at home. Stay away from pre-packaged and pre-made meals.
Coffee—slowly switch to decaf, or reduce your intake until you can quit. Choose a time when you don’t have much going on and prepare for withdrawal symptoms.
Drink more water—switch from sugary fizzy drinks to water or carbonated water. Add fruits for flavor and nutrients. It may be hard at first because we’re used to consuming sugar, but it wasn’t designed for our bodies to function well with it.
Lastly, you’ll see a difference in the price at the supermarket. Living a healthier lifestyle will be cheaper in the long run. No more spending money on coffee, and pre-packed items are often far more expensive. Look at the price difference between a bag of carrots and a bag of crisps, or a bag of apples versus a pack of cookies.
Bible Verse: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank You for the amazing gift of our bodies, perfectly designed by You. Help us to honor You in how we treat our bodies and fuel them with what is good and healthy. Guide us as we make choices in our daily lives that reflect our commitment to living according to Your will. Give us wisdom to discern what is best for our health and strength so we can serve You better. Help us to resist temptation and live in a way that brings You glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Add comment
Comments