FOODS, MOODS, AND THE SPIRIT BEHIND THEM

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Jesus was indeed human and divine. Just like any of us, in His humanity, He experienced the sensation of hunger and thirst. He often used food and drink in His lessons to illustrate points, which would help those that heard Him better understand spiritual things. Throughout scripture, both Old and New Testaments, we see the necessity of food and how it can either be a blessing to us or a problem. In Genesis 1:29-30, God says, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed; which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life; I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Food was given to humanity by God to be a blessing. Not long after the Holy Ghost was poured out upon those that had gathered in the upper room, as God was adding thousands to them, we read of food being a part of what was happening. In Acts 2:42, it says, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Verses 46-47 tells us, And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people, And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

There are many other scriptural references where we see our Lord and food. Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding, where there would be feasting and the celebration of the new couple (St. John 2:2). We read of Him miraculously feeding the multitude with the little boy’s lunch (St. John 6:5-13). The restoration meal for Peter (St. John 20:9-15), the meal at the home of Martha, where we learn that it’s better to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His word (St. Luke 10:38-42), and many more, too numerous to list.

We also learn from the word of God the detriment that food can be to us. Back in the garden, the temptation that plunged the world into sin was related to food. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (Gen. 3:6). There is a great need for us to be extra careful during times of hunger. As in the case of Esau, his natural hunger impacted his judgment, and he didn’t appreciate something that had spiritual significance. The word says, Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright (Hebrews 12:16). His words demonstrate how our decision making can be impaired because of hunger; And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? (Gen. 25:32).

To satisfy immediate needs, many throw away their future. To feed current hunger, some don’t appreciate what’s in store. Food can impact us bodily and psychologically. It can change our appearance and shape. Too much of it will increase our weight, and not enough of it can cause us to decrease in size. Its important to eat the right types of food as we are all aware of the issues that can arise from processed foods and the chemicals that are in them. The things we eat have a direct correlation to our health, both physically and mentally; and I propose that OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS A SPIRITUAL MATTER. The foods we eat impact our mood. Eating certain things can bring on tiredness, depression, and sluggishness; and certain foods can energize, stimulate, and bring on a sense of delight. There are studies that demonstrate protein consumption from foods like fish, beef, eggs and chicken, lead to higher levels of chemicals being released in the brain that have a role in our motivation, mood, and concentration. Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins, and have been shown to spark happiness. So, what we eat, and how we treat our body is very important. In some cases, Satan, the enemy of man, will resort to a strategy of tempting us with a spirit of gluttony to destroy us. Gluttony is defined as an excessive indulgence in eating and drinking. The word of the Lord says in Proverbs 23:20-21, Be not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. God has called us to manifest self-control, restraint, and discipline. We are to think more seriously about our health and presenting our bodies to God as a living sacrifice (see Romans 12:1).

Although there are some health conditions that are hereditary, some of the things we’re dealing with are a direct result of the foods we eat. Things like cholesterol, clogged arteries, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, are linked to unhealthy eating habits. Having these conditions will completely alter your life. Eating is a matter of life and death and impacts the quality of our lives. We may be driven to eat a particular way if we’re in a bad mood. The tradeoff is that we get a temporary, comforting feeling from the satisfying taste; but in exchange, we are less healthy and sucked into a vicious cycle of dependency on foods that aren’t good for us. Many people smother themselves in desserts, sweets, and all their favorite foods hoping to feel better through what they eat.

Instead of being controlled by our appetites, Jesus set an example for us to follow. Being urged to eat by His concerned disciples, He said to them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore, said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought Him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work (St. John 4:32-34). He demonstrated a strong appetite to fulfill His purpose and finish the work that the Father sent Him to do. It’s what drove Him and inspired Him. We see this in His forty days of fasting and being tempted of the devil. Notice in the account as recorded in St. Luke 4:1-14, how it says, that Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost and led by the Spirit (verse 1). For forty days, our Lord was without food; but we’re told that when the forty days were ended, He afterward hungered. His focus during the fast was NOT on His appetite for food, but for doing the will of the Father that sent Him.

When Satan challenged Him to prove that He was the son of God; command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (St. Luke 4:3-4). We have in this our Lord acknowledging that man needs food to live, but that’s not all. We need the word of God that proceeds from His mouth, which is the food that fuels us for this journey called life. Job says it like this; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:12). Meaning, we are to treasure the word of God and value it by obeying it even more than the food we need to live.

Yes, we need food; we should enjoy our food and look to help provide it for those that are without it. We should receive our food with thanksgiving to the God that provided it for us (see 1 Timothy 4:3-5). Even more so, we should come and dine at the master’s table. To taste food is to experience the ingredients, its essence and all that went into it to make it what it is. Likewise, we ought to experience God, desiring to grow in Him. To know His love, His kindness and mercy. His strength, power, and wisdom. To experience His favor, see His glory, and be a witness of His mighty works. No wonder, the psalmist said, O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him (Psalm 34:8).

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves