One of the first things you must do if you want to lose weight, or just adopt a healthy lifestyle, is modify your diet. You must start by making calories count by replacing “empty” ones with those that are beneficial. Instead of snacking on foods such as bagels with cream cheese, chips, or cookies, all of which have no nutritional value and leave you craving more, you opt for bananas with peanut butter, almonds, or avocados, all of which are more filling and better for you. If you are anything like me, the thought of subtracting carbs (cookies, crackers, etc.) from your diet makes you want to weep. Why would one even consider it when they are SO darn yummy?
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
— 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you want your body to be healthy, you must take care of it. You must provide it with nutritional food, plenty of water, and exercise while limiting/eliminating the things that are unhealthy- drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, junk food. Likewise, if you want your soul to be healthy you must take in the Word of God and limit/eliminate the poison from the world- ungodly television shows, movies, music, and companions. How do you do that?
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.
— Psalms 101:3a
Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
— Mark 4:24
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
— 2 Corinthians 6:14
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
— Philippians 4:8
In other words, what we see and hear should be from the Lord, fostering spiritual health. Does it seem right for you to listen to music, view movies and shows, or interact with people who are not motivated by the mind of Christ and condone violence, disrespect of authority, and pre-/extramarital sex? If these things are against God and opposite His thinking, then it’s safe to say, “NO” is the correct answer. Some might feel that this all sounds very “Puritan” or “Amish”. Well, are we not called to be different and set apart? Are we commanded to think and talk and look like those of the world, the enemies of our Lord and Savior?
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
— Romans 12:2
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
— Philippians 2:15
Am I saying get rid of all your DVDs, CDs, and unbelieving friends this very day? Of course not, that would be an emotional reaction. We cannot sanctify (set apart) ourselves, only God has the power to accomplish that feat. If/when these things are eliminated from your life, it will be a function of His will and timing for you.
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 1:6
What I am saying is to not ignore the gentle “nudges” from the Holy Spirit WHEN He convicts your conscience to make such changes. I have all but stopped watching T.V. He had me look at what I was watching- The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Vampire Diaries- and every show said the same thing- “Jesus, who?”. The same goes with music - 99% of the time I have either K-Love or The Message (satellite radio) playing. Am I bragging here? Not at all - I have a long list of “carbs” that He is currently “nudging” me about. I am merely providing examples of ways He will deliver us. We all have our weaknesses, “guilty pleasures”, if you will. If we let Him, He will replace the insatiable craving we have for the things of the world, which contain no spiritual nutritional value, with His nutrient rich Word that always satisfies.
But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
— John 4:14
What’s your “carb” of choice? Will you let Him deliver you from it? I hope so.
In His Love,
Monica
P.S.: That “little voice” that says it is impossible or even unnecessary to eradicate such things from your life isn’t the voice of the Holy Spirit, it’s your flesh and it is a liar… just sayin’.