Unwanted

One early Sunday morning, I was getting dressed for church. I noticed the lovely blue dress that fitted perfectly was tighter than usual. As I looked in my mirror, I could see rolls of fat showing around my belly and hips. I grasped a deep breath. “It’s on again,” I thought. Those unwanted pounds are staring at me. I have grown rounder and broader instead of becoming taller. I’m disgusted by my appearance. If I had to describe my situation in a few words, it would be an unwanted, uncontrollable weight. Have you ever faced extra unwanted pounds?

Weight Gain And Diets

It is easy to gain weight but difficult to lose pounds. I’ve always been unfortunate to have problems keeping my weight in proportion. Through the years, I’ve tried lots of diets and even taken diet pills to curb my appetite. Though they were beneficial, they didn’t solve the source of my underlying problem, which lay within my heart. There are some things I’ve learned about my nature through Scriptures that have been far more beneficial than other sources to guide me concerning my weight gain. God’s Word has addressed my problem, and it is the most valuable source to rely upon when seeking the right answers.

Food To Enjoy And Its Purpose

I enjoy nutritious food. I love eating out with family or friends and going to special events like family reunions. Those types of gatherings are special. A long table decks various desserts, meats, vegetables, and an array of food choices to satisfy the appetite. My eyes gaze at the different varieties, and the emotion or desire arouses while my mouth waters to partake. I could excuse my actions to make myself believe it’s only a one-time event. Why not? However, excessive food consumption and frequent gatherings can quickly lead to an unbalanced body. People often overeat and indulge too much. Control is the secret of a disciplined lifestyle. God’s Word tells us to discipline our bodies in a way that glorifies Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Food isn’t a god. It feeds the body so it can serve God. Eating nutritious foods promotes good health. However, my body craves unhealthy foods like sweets and chips. Eventually, eating too much of those things causes my weight gain and health problems like high blood pressure and cholesterol. Nobody wants to experience those issues. 

Valuable Information

When I turn to God’s Word, I discover valuable information about my body, soul, and spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” NLT

Does it relate to weight? Yes, I honestly believe it does. A few pounds causes problems. I believe there are patterns, addictions, and other things that we develop that destroy our Christian testimonies.  

God created me in His image, giving me body, soul, and spirit. What effects my body influence my soul? Understanding my make-up provides me intellectual knowledge of my motivations. My body is the house where my soul and spirit rest (1 Corinthians 6:19). Within my soul, I have a desire where I can love, choose, and know things (Luke 6:27; Matthew 26:39; 1 Corinthians 2:11). Satan tempts me from the outside world system, creating a desire within.

Temptation Comes from

James 1:14-15 “Temptation comes from our desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (NLT) Satan lures me in with his bait. When I yield, I sow to my flesh, and the result is sinful actions.

Practice God’s Word For Victory

For example, if I’m seeking to lose some pounds, my weakest point is sweets. In this area, Satan tempts me. I love them dearly. When I am shopping for groceries, I reach the dessert section, and the offerings are incredibly tempting. Those beautifully decorated chocolate cakes, cookies, and pies grab my attention. My mouth waters. A hunger for yielding exists. I can choose between saying yes or no. But God’s Word says I don’t have to yield, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). But does it work? Sure, I’ve put it in practice. When I resist, I have victory in Christ. The same thing is true in these verses (Romans 6:12-14):

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. (NLT)

It isn’t wrong to eat, but overindulgence is. You can control your flesh’s passions and lusts by using God’s Word in temptations and living a disciplined life under His Spirit (Matthew 4:4; Galatians 2:20). Christ works in you to fulfill His will (Philippians 2:13). 

Heavenly Father, I realize I yield too often to the outside elements of this world. Help me recognize temptation and meet it head-on, using your Word to defeat my lusts and passions. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.