Eating Right

Soul Food

Everyone knows food is vital for supporting life. Since the human body must have proper nourishment, it is important that daily food consumption be comprised of an appropriate diet. To be healthy, eating right matters.

Interestingly, this same principle applies to one’s spiritual life. Yet, how often do we focus on what it takes for our soul to thrive? Being spiritually healthy is just as important as being physically fit.

Spiritual Food

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus pointed out the significance of sacred sustenance when he was tempted by Satan. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus also referenced spiritual food in John 4 after He had witnessed to the woman at the well. His disciples brought him some food, but Jesus didn’t eat. Instead, he told His followers; “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32)

These are just a few instances where we find Jesus using a diet metaphor in referring to the Word as food. The Bible also describes God’s Word as milk (1 Peter 2:2); meat (1 Corinthians 3;2; bread (Deuteronomy 8:3); and says it is sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). These parallels demonstrate the importance of feeding our soul.

A Spiritual Diet Plan

Just knowing the need for spiritual food is not enough. True sustenance from Scripture is not found in merely studying or reading it. Jeremiah 15:16 describes the best spiritual diet plan. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” It must be ingested.

One meaningful way to consume God’s word is through an ancient practice called “Lectio Divina.” Lectio Divina is a contemplative way to read the Bible. It dates to early centuries of the Christian Church and is a way of praying the Scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s Word. The best way to apply this method is by using what God has already given us – our God-created senses.

These five senses together are the pathway to our brains and our soul. What informs our minds is our ability to touch, taste, see, hear, and smell. Throughout the Bible God talks about these abilities. Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Psalm 45:8 says, “All the garments smell of myrrh and aloes, and cassia, out of ivory palaces.”  John 10:27 indicates, “My sheep hear my voice.” And in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed on the pure in heart for they will see God.” But, in looking at the aspect of eating God’s Word, taste is used most often in referring to it. Scientifically AND spiritually, there is good reason why.

In Ezekiel 3:1-3 the prophet says, “And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” God tells Ezekiel to EAT the scroll three times in this discourse. And then the fourth time He says, ‘fill your stomach with it.’ This is where the sense of taste comes in.

Everything about eating involves tasting. And tasting can’t be done remotely, at arm’s length, or by proxy. It is impossible to do without being close to the food in question.  In fact, the act of tasting really uses more than that one sense. It requires that we see it, we touch it; in bringing it to our mouth we usually smell it. The taste comes when we bite and ingest it.

Tasting is the most intimate of the senses because whatever we taste - becomes an actual part of us. That is why understanding and applying this concept can positively enhance your time alone with God.

Secrets for Soul Sustenance

Eating God’s Word is a different way to experience the Bible. It requires giving time to more than just a daily reading. There are 4 components to this practice.

• Peruse the Scripture. See the words by reading them.

• Ponder the Scripture. Touch the meaning by contemplating what God is saying.

• Pray the Scripture. This involves the sense of smell as we are an “aroma pleasing to God.”

• Personalize the Scripture. Finally, taste God’s Word and ingest it into your life.

Nothing can create our spiritual life for us. Only by sitting before God in quiet contemplation can He speak to us. Deliberate and intentional, dining on God’s Word transforms casual reading into cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus.

The following tips will enhance your spiritual dining experience.

• Choose the right food.  While there is nothing wrong with reading Christian books or listening to Christian speakers, nothing should take the place of reading straight from God’s Word. Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

• Chew the food, don’t swallow it whole. Scripture is to be chewed, like eating jerky. Roll it around in your heart and savor it, pondering and tasting its goodness. Psalm 1:2 (MSG) “Instead, you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on it day and night.”

• Take Small Bites. Chewing on God’s word is not about taking huge bites or reading big sections. It’s about the message. Sometimes it is better to enjoy it in small pieces.  Job 23:12, “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

• Take your time. Too often we hurry through our quiet time as though there is something more important than God’s Word. While sometimes, out of necessity, we must grab a quick bite, that is not a healthy diet. This is the same with our diet of God’s Word. Spiritual food cannot always be fast food. Psalm 77:12, “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

• Be aware of your appetite. Sometimes, when we don’t feel like eating, it can mean we are sick. It’s the same with our spiritual meals. Skipping them can lead to bad spiritual health, and at some point, cause a loss of hunger for God’s Word altogether. Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

Conclusion

There is no substitute for good spiritual dining and soul life depends upon it. Evaluate your diet, then structure your quiet time for maximum sacred consumption. Feasting on God’s Word, taking time to slowly savor it, will strengthen, satisfy, sustain, and stimulate your heart.

God’s purpose for us is not in the doing more for Him, but when we choose to BE with Him more. That is being spiritually fit. And our spiritual health will bring glory to Him. Always remember, “you are what you eat!”