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Watch Your Intake

I was at the grocery yesterday evening buying stuff for the house. I enjoy doing groceries and (meaning whenever I feel like it) because it’s a nice change from my usual day. I made the mistake of being hungry while at the grocery so I had to work extra hard to resist the temptation as virtually every aisle called to me and even items that I don’t normally eat suddenly seemed quite delectable. (Uy, vienna sausage!)

Good thing my wife and I have a resolution to minimize eating unhealthy food and the best way to do that is to make sure that our kitchen is stocked with good food. By buying healthy stuff, we can be sure that when we get a case of the munchies, we’re putting in life-giving items for our body. So into the cart they went – organic eggs, whole wheat bread, fresh milk, Domex, Lysol- oops, read too far down the grocery list.

While pushing the cart along, I was listening to a theology class from Pastor Paul Barker. I found myself laughing at the jokes, answering his rhetorical questions out loud, but more importantly I felt stronger some how. Like I was thankful to Jesus for saving me, eager to get back to work at honoring Him and making disciples, and looking forward to meeting my discipleship group of guys this evening.

This is the concept that Christians have historically called being edified. It comes from a Latin word which means to build. Being edified means you are being built up internally – becoming stronger, developing greater faith, passion for the right things, etc. Like our physical bodies need training to stay strong and healthy, our spirits need training also.

One of the best ways to do this is to watch your intake. Carla and I don’t buy certain food products so that we’ll snack on healthy stuff. We have the occasional Chippy or instant mami, but the majority is nutritious food that is prepared fresh.

An actual funny dinner we had once: organic eggs, whole wheat bread, and chippy

In the same way, what’s your spiritual intake like? Are you full of non-life-giving stuff? TV series marathons? Sappy love songs? Senseless comedies? Movies or tv shows with scantily clad women (or men)? Maybe this would explain why our spirits easily give in to selfishness, pride, lust, envy, greed, etc. It’s in our intake.

How about songs that build you up spiritually? As I write this I’m listening to music by Lecrae, Tedashii, and Trip Lee. While I’m not exactly a rap and R&B fan, this music has some of the highest spiritual nutrition content I’ve found. So instead of killing time eating spiritual Chippy, I might as well build myself up.

How about podcasts that preach the Word of God? I’m sure there’s something out there from a preacher on a topic that will connect to your current situation?

But I don’t know where to find that!

You’re on a browser on the internet. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. 

Or even better, how about getting the highest, densest, most nutritious content ever. READ YOUR BIBLE. It might not seem to make sense right away, but that’s fine. Ask God for wisdom as you read. Humbly get advice on it from a church that worships Jesus. And watch yourself bulk up spiritually.

click the pic for it's source

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

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

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