Junk food ∙

Junk food ∙

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. – Isaiah 55:2

1 Peter 2:2-3

 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

The American diet frequently includes unhealthy foods that are high in calories from sugar or fat but lack essential dietary nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. These foods are commonly known as junk food or HFSS (high in fat, salt, and sugar) foods.

The term “junk food” lacks a clear and consistent definition and has changed over time. Generally, it refers to heavily processed food products. However, even protein-rich foods like meat or fish cooked with saturated fat can be considered junk food. Fast food and fast-food restaurants are often seen as the poster child for junk food.

The increase in junk food consumption is linked to various health concerns, such as a higher risk of obesity and diabetes. Other potential adverse effects include difficulties with memory and learning and increased rates of depression. To combat these issues, several public health awareness campaigns have been initiated, and advertising restrictions have been put in place as part of a national effort to improve the health of Americans.

Regrettably, spiritual junk food has also gained traction in our society. This “food” is comprised of superficial teachings and practices that don’t nourish the soul or foster genuine spiritual growth. Many people underestimate the perils of spiritual junk food and consume it mindlessly, oblivious to its harmful effects on their spiritual well-being. Just as physical junk food can damage the body, spiritual junk food can undermine the bedrock of one’s faith, leaving individuals spiritually malnourished, superficial, and ill-prepared to confront life’s trials.

Consuming spiritual junk food has become widely accepted and normalized. This trend can lead to a diluted faith that is more about convenience and superficial observance and less about true devotion. To address this issue, the children of the King must be discerning about the spiritual content they consume. We are to seek out enriching, substantive content that promotes genuine spiritual growth, renewal, and transformation. We should cultivate a robust and meaningful faith that stands the test of time.

“It is no secret that Christ’s Church is not at all in good health in many places of the world. She has been languishing because she has been fed, as the current line has it, ‘junk food;’ all kinds of artificial preservatives and all sorts of unnatural substitutes have been served up to her” (Walter Kaiser).

As a result, Kaiser notes that biblical and theological malnutrition has “afflicted the very generation that has taken such giant steps to make sure its physical health is not damaged by using foods or products that are carcinogenic or otherwise harmful to their bodies.” How ironic!

We often invest in food that doesn’t nourish us or enhance our well-being. Similarly, our spiritual diet can lack spiritual nourishment and substance.

Indulging in spiritual junk food diminishes our strength and leaves us spiritually flabby. Our hearts and souls become malnourished, fostering apathy and lethargy. We grow spiritually dull. We are capable of hearing, yet we do not seem to really listen and are unable to digest solid spiritual food.

Hebrews 5:11-14

 11 . . . And you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.

 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who, through training, have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Just as there is a typical pattern for early childhood development, there is a regular pattern for spiritual development and growth. The children of the King to whom the Book of Hebrews was written were suffering from a tragic case of arrested development. “As a result, they were now ‘dull of hearing;’ that is, unable to listen to the Word, receive it, and act on it” (Wiersbe).

Because their spiritual diet was inadequate, they became spiritually emaciated and unable to progress toward maturity. Despite the passage of time, they never moved beyond the basics. Just as muscles require regular exercise to remain strong, flexible, and functional, our spirits need consistent exercise. Without it, muscles atrophy and lose tone, and the body weakens. Similarly, when our spirits lack adequate exercise, they become feeble and frail.

Moreover, there is additional collateral damage. Although they had been believers for some time, they had regressed in their spiritual growth, functioning at the level of spiritual infants. They had slipped back and forgotten what they had initially learned. They couldn’t receive and digest solid spiritual food and had to revert to milk. Instead of being able to teach the truths of the Word of God to others, they needed others who were mature to reteach them the basics about Christ.

REFLECT & PRAY

The milk of the Word is not solely reserved for spiritual infants. Every child of the King, regardless of their age or maturity in faith, should yearn for the Word of God with the same fervor that an infant cries for its mother’s milk. It is essential for growth and vitality in our walk with the Father.

Father, I pray that I will continually crave the pure milk of Your Word and settle for nothing less.

INSIGHT

Consuming spiritual junk food adversely affects nearly everyone who indulges in it.

The goal is to become mighty in our spirits. When the Father wants to prepare the children of the King for His assignments for them to carry out on earth, He puts them in the wilderness. There, they grow strong in their spirits.

Luke 1:80 John kept growing and becoming strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

The wilderness experience is like a boot camp for children of the King. It is a place for testing and preparation until we are trained, equipped, and prepared to serve Him. At the appointed time, when ready, we are released to serve.

In order to make positive changes, we need to raise the bar and elevate our standards. This begins by becoming more discerning regarding the quality of the spiritual content we consume, seeking genuine spiritual nourishment. Each of us can choose to reject spiritual junk food and strive for excellence. We seek out, find, and take in pure, spiritually nutritious milk of the Word of God. Over time, we develop not merely a taste but a strong desire for this enriching food for our souls.

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk.

How is your spiritual diet working for you?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3-28-1

© Dr. H 2024