Is your stomach god?

“[I] tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ… their god is their stomach…” (Phil 3:18f)

Paul was a passionate apostle. He would stay places and plead with the people in the churches to follow Christ. Do we still do this? How often do I beg Christians to live beyond mediocre? Not much.

Why do we do what we do? Are we following the high calling of our God and savior, or are we just trying to be happy?

You may say it about your kids “I just want them to be happy.” You may say it to a friend “whatever makes you happy.” You may fool yourself into thinking it’s the goal of life. In fact, you might even use it as an excuse to end a marriage “God just wants me to be happy.”

No, God doesn’t just want you to be happy. People who seek their own “happiness” are on a futile quest to appease the desires of their flesh. This primal urge is the call of evil, and make no mistake, he is crouching outside your door. This is the carnal hunger of sin unfulfilled.

Do not give in to this urge, fall back on the power of God’s Spirit in your life. When you place your comfort above God’s will (his word) then you have made your stomach your god and an enemy of the Lord.

This life can be fun, and there is joy along the narrow path, but when happiness is your goal, you will fail every time. Only following Jesus can satisfy your spirit, he is the soul food that you crave.

Don’t give in. Never give up. NEVER SURRENDER! (cf. Matt 16:18)