You are what you eat – Proverbs 23:7

You are what you eat – Proverbs 23:7                                                                                                                                                       

The other day I was in the local diner and the conversation between another customer, myself, and the owner was on the importance of whole foods; being cautious about chemicals, additives, etc. in the foods we eat. Actually we started out talking about health issues and how interesting it is to compare the type and frequency of various illnesses, say 50-70 years ago with today. The statement was made by one the elderly folks sitting there, “You are what you eat!” – indicating the fact that so many foreign additives and chemicals, processed foods, are interjected into our food today that didn’t used to be present. If you aren’t careful to read the labels you can be taking in all kinds of unhealthy “tag alongs” that build up over time in our bodies causing sickness, obesity, heart disease, clogged arteries, unclear thinking capacity…

I remember a common saying, in the early years of the computer age; ‘garbage in – garbage out’. Indicating that the outcome directly correlates with the input. If you plant weed seeds in the garden, don’t expect to produce a useful crop of vegetables. If a person spends all their time laying on the couch watching television and eating junk-food, never exercising, it is no surprise when they are overweight and lack physical stamina. Our minds tend to operate in similar fashion. They are reflective of what they dwell upon. If we spend all our waking hours playing violent video games or watching movies with foul language, violence, and vulgar moral activity we become a product of desensitization. We’re no longer bothered by things that used to appall us.

It can and often does, get blamed on society, those we hang out with; outside influences. As if we have no control over such. But what a person fills their mind with, what we dwell upon, is a choice, a direct reflection of something we find pleasing or important – a desire. And that desire lights in our thoughts and we can either allow it to stay, or shoe it away. But it’s like that temptation is coated with quick drying glue; the longer we allow it to light, the more stuck it gets and more difficult to get rid of. It’s like eating a plate full of cookies and, in mid form you discover the cookie you’re devouring has raisons in it! You can either spit them out (logical) or go ahead and ingest them (not recommended).

James 1:14-15 …but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.

So, in a way, the things that we do, the things that we say, our attitudes are directly related to the things that we nurture. Garbage in – garbage out. What you think has everything to do with you and your choices, your desires. So the inside stuff that you think you’re concealing, isn’t that well-hidden.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

People can see your attitude long before they hear your words. Your thoughts affect your attitude. And your attitude affects your words and actions. In Genesis 4 we’re introduced to Cain and Abel. Abel put forth an offering of meat that was more pleasing and acceptable to God than Cain’s offering of fruits and vegetables. God favored Abel’s sacrifice over Cain’s and he began to nurture anger and jealousy toward Abel. God saw what was happening with Cain’s attitude and he said, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? …sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

The second part of the Proverbs 23:7 verse says, He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.

What’s going on outside isn’t painting a clear picture of what’s really going on inside. The true inner thoughts and desires lurk within and will eventually come forth. God says, ‘don’t let it happen’. “…it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Rather than relying on shear will power to keep away sin and bad thoughts, be proactive. Instead, fill your thoughts with good, wholesome, godly thoughts to where there is no room for evil and impure thinking. Devour good, healthy food. You are what you eat!

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

 

In Christ,

Rick