If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
~ 1 Timothy 6:3-4
By and large, U.S. citizens have more access to food than most people around the world. There are grocery stores, specialty stores, and/or convenience stores within a stone’s throw of most of us—not to mention fast-food restaurants on every other (sometimes every) corner. Our country has a robust “food stamp” program (SNAP), spending over $112 billion per year1, and public schools serve on average 42 million2 meals per school day. And yet, according to the CDC, over 40% of adults and 20% of children are obese. (Not to mention that over 60% of Americans have a food-related chronic disease, despite the $4.3 trillion spend on U.S. healthcare.)
There is ample food being eaten, yet we are severely malnourished. The food is made to taste delicious, but it is, in fact, ultimately poisoning us to death.
Similarly, as you drive through U.S. cities and even small towns, there are churches of every denomination (and non) dotting the main streets. There are big fancy churches, quaint high-steepled chapels, and congregations that meet in converted strip-mall spaces. And yet—even among self-proclaiming “evangelicals”—almost half say that Jesus was a great teacher, but He was not God3. And although a whopping 70% of the U.S. population claims to be “Christian”, only 9% say they have a Biblical worldview, and 58% believe that if a person is good enough or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven.4.
There is ample “faith food” being eaten (online, via podcasts, and in buildings), yet we are severely malnourished.Christians are being served up tasty morsels by pulpit chefs—food that tastes sweet when being consumed, but has no Biblical value. We are being bloated with empty calories of cultural lies, while we’re starved of the sustenance of the Gospel—ultimately poisoning us to death.
What about you, friend? What faith food are you consuming? Is it the pure, undefiled Word of God? Or are your itching ears being scratched with Sunday-morning Ted Talks and feel-good gatherings from which you walk away with a confident “I’m-in-control” attitude (2 Timothy 4:3-4)? There is so much delicious spiritual junk food out there. It’s hard today to stand firm on Truth—and it will get harder. But we must (Ephesians 6:10-20).
So, what does a healthy Christian diet consist of, one that nourishes our spirit? Our Bibles have all the right recipes! It’s imperative that believers know God’s Word and its power (Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12), so we can recognize the lies (from YouTube and our church’s pulpit). We must meet together so we’re not that straggler ripe for the enemy’s attack (Hebrews 10:24-25). We must recognize that all the little-g gods of our life will never fill the God-shaped hole in our soul. And that it’s only through the work of Jesus—not our own—that we are reconciled with God, made righteous in His sight, and have the hope of Heaven (Romans 5; Colossians 1:19-20; Ephesians 2:1-10). And we must daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that we are not, in fact, God (1 Corinthians 2:1-16).
Although there is constant controversy and contradiction in dietary recommendations that can be overwhelming, spiritual nutrition is simple and undisputed: Worship in a church that stands firmly on God’s Word (all of it—no additions or redactions). Read the Bible for yourself, every day. Yield to the Holy Spirit living in you. Stay connected with fellow believers. So, let’s step out in Truth and be nourished.
Lord, may we walk in Your Truth, being fully satisfied with Your glorious food for our souls.
encouraged by grace 