“Man” I’m still Hungry!!

How many times have you made that statement after you just polished off a big 3 course meal? Unfortunately I’m guilty of thinking and making such a statement when the reality of it all is in most cases I was stuffed to the rafters. There is something inside my being, that is to say, the inner man, that drives me to eat more when I know full well that my body has given me every signal known to mankind to stop eating. I won't gross you out by listing those signs out for you, but do you realize what makes a person eat more food even though they are stuffed and fit to be tied? Yea, you guessed it APPETITE.

Appetite can simply be defined as a desire to want more. I have been in ministry for several years and there is nothing more destructive than an appetite out of control. Think about that in the context of food, if my appetite for food gets to the point that I just want more and I’m never completely satisfied, realize that although food is something that I have to eat in order to live, my unhealthy appetite for food will essentially take my life. Certainly we can bear witness to this because we all know of people that are currently dealing with some disease brought on because their desire for food ran out of control.

I find it interesting that most appetites that people have are all necessary for survival. For example, if the entire human race woke up one morning and decided not to participate in God’s gift of sex, guess what? The human race would cease to exist. What about food? What if you lost your appetite for food or water? Exactly, you guessed it, you would essentially die.

So then the answer to this issue of appetites is not for us to try and control our appetites but the opposite is true and biblical. We shouldn’t allow our appetites to control us. I hope you get that. I think it's time for an illustration: If I eat whenever I want to and not because I need to, then although my appetite is not controlling me, it still can be harmful to me.

A guy named Paul who was responsible for writing at least 2/3 of the New Testament speaks to this issue of appetites and I think he gives us some really good advise in regard to this issue of desire 2Tim2:21-22“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Paul is teaching us that if we want to be successful, by that were saying good marriage, successful career, kids that respect you and honor you as a parent etc, then you, we must “grow up.” Paul uses the phrase “Flee also youthful lusts.” So what do I have to do in order to make sure that my appetite is not controlling me? The key is in finding things that are more desirable than those youthful lusts. Things like faith, following after right living and unconditional giving. Man it feels so good to give without expecting anything in return. There is nothing like having the peace of mind knowing that I have tried to do what I know is right. There is a peace that comes that truly passes all understanding. I have not had a youthful desire, an appetite that compares with knowing that I am right with God.

I turned another year older yesterday and I thank all of you who called or text me a Happy Birthday yesterday. My wish is not to just grow older but to become wiser as I get older, and yea you guessed it, I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN J