Sounds like a simple concept, doesn’t it? Of course, whatever you feed will become stronger! So, what’s the point of stating the obvious? Well, the obvious is often overlooked and undervalued, so I thought it was important to remind ourselves to carefully consider what we feed. Think of all the things we feed and give power to without intention—violent movies, negative thoughts, gossip, or even seemingly innocent jokes at the expense of others. You might be thinking, “Come on Diane. I love a good thriller.” Or, you might be saying to yourself, “I was just having a bit of fun. Everyone knew it was a joke.” Did they? Was that violent movie over when they ran the credits, or did its impact stay with you? Did those negative comments offend someone to the point where they began to see themselves differently?
Let’s pretend for a moment that none of those things really hurt anybody, but who did they help? Could the time you spent wrapped in violent images have been better served doing something more constructive? Could your sense of humor be used to lift up another and give them a smile instead of taking the chance that your words would wound their heart? Why not feed a kind and loving heart by complimenting others and watching movies that have a positive message? I’ll tell you why not—because most of us don’t recognize or value the obvious.
Obviously, when we gossip, we are feeding the enemy. Obviously, when we focus on violence, we are feeding the enemy. Obviously, when we make fun of others, we are feeding the enemy. If we continue to make the enemy stronger by practicing these things, soon he turns all that power on us, and we find ourselves losing the spiritual battle because we have failed to feed our relationship with God. Our thoughts and actions are then consumed by the weapons of the enemy, like sickness, pain, loneliness, anxiety, addiction, and hopelessness.
I pray that God cleanses our minds and purifies our hearts, filling us with new desires that bring us closer to Him. I pray we find joy in God’s Word and spread the message of His salvation so that we might have victory over the enemy. I pray that we bind on earth the negative and chaotic behaviors and beliefs, so that we allow God to loose His love and peace in our lives. I pray that God show you and me how to recognize and give power to feeding an intimate relationship with Him.
As parents, teachers, and leaders in our communities, Christians have a responsibility to teach our young people. One of the strongest ways for them to learn is by example, so we must ask ourselves what examples we provide. The best ways to ensure those examples are Godly ones are to pray and study His Word. (Psalm 51:10-13 NIV) is my prayer. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
We are not powerless to make changes in our behaviors, in our thoughts. We are not helpless when it comes to forming new habits that positively impact our current situations. God feeds us through His Word. (John 16:33 NIV) says I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
God does His best work when the situation seems hopeless. Look at that small young boy, David, to whom God gave victory over the giant warrior, Goliath. When other soldiers laughed at the thought of this little nothing of a boy thinking he could defeat Goliath, what they hadn’t counted on was the strength of God’s Spirit in the heart of this insignificant shepherd. What they didn’t recognize was that with God’s power, David had the strength of a hundred warriors, the courage of a hundred leaders, and the wisdom of a hundred kings. He had the force of God who had already given him the victory.
We have that as well. When we battle the enemy, we carry God’s weapons of strength, courage, and wisdom. When we fight our spiritual battles, we don’t fight alone. God prepares us for the battle and surrounds us with a league of angels who champion our side. The closer we draw to God and the more we feed our relationship with Him, the weaker our enemy becomes until he knows defeat is inevitable and leaves us alone.
I’m all for eating at the table with my Lord. I choose to make a constant meal of God’s Word and strengthen His Spirit within me. What about you?