Resisting Food Temptations the Christian Way
Resisting Food Temptations the Christian Way
Pay close attention to when you catch yourself saying or thinking, “that sure looks tempting”, as it applies to food or drink. If you are thinking that something looks “tempting”, there is a really good chance that it actually is “tempting”, that is testing, trying, luring you into something that is not the best for you and that is possibly even a sin for you.
If your subconscious is calling something a temptation then there is a good chance that the very thing that is tempting you, will wound your conscience if you give in to it. As a Christian, one of the last things you want to do is wound, sear or defile your conscience. We should try to keep our consciences good and pure, as many Bible verses refer to.
What You Can Do
So, what can you do if you find some food or drink tempting? Do not indulge! If you do, you are wounding your conscience, it will be just a little bit harder the next time to say no, since your conscience is seared in that area.
You can pray. It helps to pray ahead of time about this issue, if you know you are going somewhere that you think will have food or drink that is tempting to you.
You can yield to the Holy Spirit as much as possible in all things. As you get better and better at yielding to the Holy Spirit you will experience one of His fruits—the fruit of self-control. It will get easier and easier to say “no” to those food and drink temptations.
You can think about your own conscience and the conscience of your fellow-believers. We are called, not only to keep our conscience pure, but we are not to wound others’ consciences either. See what the Word says in First Corinthians.
…eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled…But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak….But when ye sin so against the brethren, and would their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
In context this passage is referring to offering meat to idols, but the principle of not offending our weak brother’s conscience is still applicable here, especially to food.
More Things To Do
Instead of giving in to temptation you can be resolute instead. Be fixed and firm in purpose, determined, unwavering. Yes, you can make a resolution, even a New Year’s resolution. Decide, ahead of time what you will and will not eat and drink.
I suggest that you start small with things that will be easy to do. If you make too large of a resolution, you are almost sure to fail and that will wound your conscience even more (and also make those bad habit pathways in your brain stronger). You want to ensure success in order to not wound your conscience any further (or make those bad habit neuro-pathways in you brain larger) so start small.
Take Into Consideration the Glory of God
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
You can ask yourself before you partake of any food or drink, “Will drinking this or eating this bring glory [honor] to God or dishonor to God?”
I hope these suggestions will be helpful to you in your quest in resisting food temptations the Christian way. If they have proved helpful, post a comment below to let me know.
Cheryl, your post was very helpful in reminding me to yield to the Holy Spirit when I feel I want to overindulge, especially during this time of year. I liked your post about not overindulging every day during the month of November and December. There are two holidays and they are only a day each. I definitely want to honor God in everything I do, and eating the right things, the right way, is no exception.
Glad you liked it Aletha. Thank for commenting. It’s nice to know I have real readers.
Very helpful!! Thanks, I have been on a journey to health the past couple of years and this year 2010 have lost over 100 pounds! I know that by myself, Because I have tried over and over and over again, I could not have done this. It has only been through the strength given to me through my Lord Jesus Christ and tactics just like this that have allowed me to become the women I am becoming… the women God created me to be!
I now teach a total health program from a Christian perspective and with your permission this material will be part of tonights lesson! Thanks again!!! May God bless you and yours this holiday season!
Kathy, Glad you liked my post. You can use this for your class but if you print out the whole thing please include (c) 2010 Cheryl Cope & Action Step Coaching and include my “signature” on the bottom with my contact info.
I really enjoyed reading this post! ! I have 4 kids and with that being said there is most definitely snacks in the home for them. I struggle with eating foods that aren’t so good for me so therefore I struggle with terrible weight problems. My only weakness is Debbie cakes and chocolate. I’m a Christian and want to please God in every aspect of my life including eating. Thank you so much.
Glad you like the post. Thanks for commenting.