Have you ever considered that your struggle with food could be a stronghold? Possibly even a form of idol worship or even gluttony?
It’s a difficult question to ask and an even more difficult question to answer.
One of our wonderful New Life Promise members recently shared her struggle with Diet Coke as a stronghold. Her honesty sparked an outpouring of support and shared experiences, highlighting how common it is for us to grapple with similar issues. Whether it’s soda, alcohol, drugs, or food, these can all affect our health and hinder us from doing what God has called us to do.
Understanding Strongholds
A stronghold can be anything that takes control over you, something that should be good, like food, but becomes a source of bondage.
But scripture offers us great encouragement and direction for these potential situations.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse reminds us that God provides a way out of every temptation. When you feel the pull towards unhealthy habits, remember that God offers strength and a path to overcome.
The Battle Within: Pleasure, Habit, Sin, or Stronghold?
When considering your struggles—be it with food, soda, or anything else—ask yourself: Is it a source of pleasure, a habit, a sin, or a stronghold? Recognizing it as a stronghold means acknowledging that it has taken a place in your life that should be reserved for God.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Our faith provides us with the power to break these strongholds, but we must actively choose to rely on God’s strength.
Gluttony and Food Idolatry
Pastor John Piper defines gluttony as the sinful enjoyment of food, where the enjoyment has become untethered from contentment in God. When our love for food surpasses our love for God, we veer into idolatry. Piper warns that any good gift from God can become sinful when it loses its connection to our contentment in Him.
Signs of Gluttony
Here are four warning signs that food might have become an idol in your life:
- Indifference to Harmful Effects: You become indifferent to how food is harming your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
- Unwise Spending: You spend money unwisely on unhealthy foods, disregarding the financial and health consequences.
- Using Food as Escape: You use food as a way to escape problems or medicate sadness and discomfort.
- Replacing God's Goodness with Food: You stop enjoying food as a way to enjoy God, and instead, replace the goodness of God with the goodness of food.
Finding Freedom
To overcome these strongholds, we need to root ourselves in God's word and seek His strength. Here are a few practical steps:
- Seek Accountability: Just as people in recovery programs have sponsors, find an accountability partner. This could be a friend, family member, or someone in our community.
- Pray for Strength: Regularly pray for God’s help in breaking free from these strongholds.
- Stay in the Word: Meditate on scriptures that reinforce God’s promises and your identity in Him.
Psalm 34:17-19 offers comfort:
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
God is near and ready to help us through our struggles.
Breaking free from the strongholds of gluttony and food idolatry is not easy, but with God's help, it is possible. Remember, it’s about choosing the path of life that God sets before us, rather than the path of destruction that these strongholds lead to. I encourage you to stay rooted in the Word, seek support, and trust that God will make a way for you to overcome.
Let’s support each other in this journey towards health and spiritual freedom. If you need prayer or an accountability partner, don’t hesitate to reach out within our community. Together, with God's help, we can overcome these challenges and live a life that honors Him.