I am not thin.  In fact, to some I am just the opposite.  Throughout my life, there were those who teased me about my weight; I’ve been told that no one could love me, rejected in a culture that loves beauty and skinny, experienced anorexia and bulimia, tried every diet I could afford, experienced guilt because one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control and it seems sadly lacking in this area of my life.

I’ve heard Christians say that over-eating is sin because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (however, the context of this scripture is sexual immorality—1 Corinthians 6:19).  Gluttony – “an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires” – is considered one of the seven deadly sins (though the religious leaders during the time Jesus lived on earth considered Him a glutton—Luke 7:34).  Unfortunately, we err by considering only the over consumption of food as gluttony; when, in fact, there are many enticing things in this culture that encourage immoderation.

One of the difficulties for people who struggle with food issues, though, is judgmental attitudes, first their own because they (we) see ourselves falling short of the glory of God, “less-than” citizens in kingdom life, and the judgment of others who condemn us for not taking care of ourselves (and whatever other reasons people find to condemn those who are overweight).

But the topic of body weight is not where I want to go with this blog; it is just a set-up, a physical prologue to a spiritual truth.  God told the prophet Samuel as he was about to select a new king, “the Lord sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  Jesus also taught that “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:11).

Most people recognize, to one degree or another, that we are farmers, constantly sowing and reaping the harvest of our choices.  People sometimes hope to get away with slight indiscretions, others blatantly break laws and hope to escape punishment; yet scripture teaches, “Do not be deceived:  God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7, 8).  For those who are about to say, “I told you so”, my point is a little different than you may think…

The Holy Spirit makes changes in our lives as we commit ourselves to seeking God through Bible study, prayer, and surrendering our lives to Him; yet some of the changes we hope for or expect do not always become obvious; instead, love begins replacing intolerance, joy replaces unhappiness or depression, patience takes the place of impatience—the fruit of the Holy Spirit gradually replaces the weaknesses of our human nature.  Where I may not perceive self-control in one area of my life, I have seen Spirit-empowered control in other areas, such as my commitment to Bible study, scheduling my days, or controlling my responses in taxing situations.

Human philosophy and religion tend to make rules to modify our behavior based on what our culture considers important.  Religious people often quote the verse in Philippians 2:12, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”, to endorse a system of rules and legalism, without completing the verse:  “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  We cannot assume that we know what God is doing (or think He should be doing) in another person’s life, particularly when we are having difficulty understanding what He is doing in our own!

Some churches promote insecurity in that, if you do not adhere closely to “the truth” and “keep the law” as specified in their particular dogma (focusing entirely on appearances or an outward show of compliance), then salvation is not ensured.  However scripture does not teach insecurity or fear; instead, the Word encourages confidence:  “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).  And, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).  Paul wrote to his “beloved child” Timothy, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Problems arise when we listen to the accusations of the enemy or adopt the value systems of this fallen world instead of listening to the truth in God’s word and the Holy Spirit, who brings scripture to life.  Remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn?  Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 33-34).

For me?  I am cultivating the life of the Spirit and am continuing to grow in grace and the knowledge of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.