Avoiding Food Temptations

Being tempted is not a sin in any area, but the more we are tempted the greater the chance that we will succumb. There is a neuroscience reason behind this—it uses up our “mental energy” to not give in to a temptation. Because of this it is wise to try to avoid temptations to begin with.

Make no provision for the flesh

There’s a bible verse that is near to this topic:

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. 13:14 KJV

One really big way to not make provision for the flesh or to help yourself in avoiding food temptations is to not bring the forbidden foods into the house from the grocery store to begin with. Do not purchase the foods that you’ve determined are off your diet or that you know make you gain weight.

Another way to avoid food temptations is to not attend certain functions that you know will have a lot of forbidden foods. I am not talking about your son’s or your granddaughter’s birthday parties, I mean the umpteenth office party or even the bible study that serves way too many sweets of junk food. You don’t really have to attend everything you are invited to. You don’t really have to attend every meeting of that organization that you belong to. Even “Aunt Irene’s” weekly family dinner—do you need to go every week? No.

Keep that junk food out of sight. If you have to have some “bad” food around for some reason (like if a family member insists) or it just IS where you are, get it out of your sight. Either move the food into a cupboard, or walk a different way around the office or drive a different route home…do what ever you need to do depending on the circumstances.

What are some new things that you are going to do to help yourself avoid being tempted by the wrong foods? Please share your ideas in the comment section below. Scroll all way down and look for, “leave a message”.

Join the conversation. Share your ideas or questions in the comment form below.

Cheryl Cope on Google+

Comments

Avoiding Food Temptations — 7 Comments

Mel Thompson on October 3, 2012 at 3:37 pm said:

Is there really “wrong and right foods” in God’s eyes? Or is it how we utilize the food we ingest? Now if your brother or sister in Christ is pained, distressed, hurt by the food…whole different situation: [Romans 14]. I do know what you are getting at though!

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- Cheryl Cope on October 3, 2012 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  Every body is different so the list of what might not be “good” for you will be different from other people but most people have such a list. Sugar isn’t good for any one.
  
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Florence Ukpabi on October 3, 2012 at 6:01 pm said:

Hi Cheryl, great article which is speaking to my current situation. Due to health reasons I am avoiding gluten and yeast, I already stay away from dairy but this really squeezes my list down.

Anyway, I do much of what you say but now God is working on will power because food containing gluten is served almost everywhere. I keep on reminding myself of why I am doing this and focusing on what I will gain from not giving into temptation. For example this evening whilst at my mum’s house 2 large pizzas were ordered, I really wanted to have a slice but praise Yah I stood firm.

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- Cheryl Cope on October 3, 2012 at 7:25 pm said:
  
  Will power is a very good thing but there is always a limited supply, hence prevention recommended as much as possible. Wheat (& gluten) are in everything though as you said, even things you wouldn’t suspect. Thank God He is helping you.
  
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Anita on October 8, 2012 at 10:26 pm said:

Hi Cheryl,

Thank you for your post. A couple of years ago I had to stop eating foods with wheat or gluten in it. At first it was incredibly hard, especially when I would smell freshly baked breads, or in a teashop surrounded by those eating wonderful cake. But, even when people said, ‘oh a bit won’t hurt etc…’ I knew it certainly wasn’t worth it. It might be nice to eat, but wouldn’t do me any good. So I focused on that, which helped enormously.

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- Cheryl Cope on October 9, 2012 at 10:57 am said:
  
  Glad you were able to avoid the wheat that was harming you!
  
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Albato Healthy Life on June 20, 2015 at 11:07 am said:

It’s great. I love your writing.

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