CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING SPIRITUALLY: NUTRITION

Certain characteristics define a living thing and separate it from dead and non living! In the spiritual realm a parallel may be drawn to define and differentiate the spiritually alive from the dead! Where do you stand in comparison?

CHARACTERISTIC	DESCRIPTION		SPIRITUAL PARALLEL
1.      Nutrition	Food. Animals need to eat food, but plants make their own food using light.		The Word of God is spiritual food for spiritual sustenance. We are to desire it and feed regularly
2.      Respiration	Breathing. Animals breathe in oxygen, and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen.		As Oxygen is vital for release of energy even more so is the Holy Spirit essential to make the Word effective and to produce spiritual energy.
3.      Growth	Do I need to explain this? A natural outcome of nutrition and respiration is growth		Growth and development in the Body of Christ results from a diligent application of the Word
4.      Excretion	All living things give off waste, in various forms a vital process to rid the body of harmful substances		We need to constantly get rid of those elements in our lives that would, if allowed to remain, not only hamper growth, but actually endanger life.
5.      Movement	Even plants move, such as opening and closing petals, and turning to face the sun.		We are expected to be in constant exercise of our faith in a spiritual journey or a race.
6.      Sensitivity	Plants are sensitive to light and gravity (stems grow up and roots grow down). Animals are sensitive to many things such as noise and light.		Responding in a positive manner to Godly elements and a negative manner to the evil elements is essential to survival and our sensitivity to the things of the Spirit
7.      Reproduction	Babies! Increase! Plants and animals can make more of themselves. Produce or perish!		Producing of other Christians is a vital sign of life and essential for survival of the church

All these characteristics are vital to the essential well being of man. They determine the quality of life and existence of life itself. In like manner a person’s spiritual life can be determined by the presence of these spiritual characteristic. As saints of God we need to examine whether we exhibit these characteristics and failing in any we need to urgently correct the defect which if continued can lead to spiritual stunting, spiritual disease, and even spiritual death itself.

 NUTRITION

It is Important!

Jesus highlighted the need for the Word of God in his response to the devil: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:4 KJV The importance of this statement is emphasized by the fact the Jesus was at the end of a 40 day fast with the natural physical hunger that followed!

The Word of God is vital to the continuous existence of the spiritual man. Jesus said “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”  John 6:63 KJV

Just as food is essential for growth, body repair, and general health and well being even so the Word of God is required for growth, building up and maintenance of the spiritual man

Peter exhorts the saints that “as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV Desire here refers to an intensely great longing for something in this case the Word of God!

Have you ever had a craving for food of a certain kind? Have you ever indulged yourself in your craving? Have you ever indulged in a craving for the Word of God….felt a longing desire to just dig into the Word of God and gorge yourself until you are fully satisfied?

While it is pretty obvious that we have all at sometime or other yielded to our natural craving for food, it is an all too tragic fact that we have mostly neglected to do the same for the spiritual man.

Whereas babes in Christ will find milk easier to absorb and assimilate there comes a time when the desire

Paul had to tell the Corinthian church “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”  1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV

The Hebrew Christians were told For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  Job 23:12 KJV

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.  Psalms 119:131 KJV

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Psalms 19:7-10 KJV

 It is beneficial!

 Food has to be taken in right proportions. A balance diet is essential to proper health and well being. The Word of God has to be properly balanced and rightly divided.

Food is essential in its various components viz. Carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, water and fiber. Likewise the Word is essential for doctrine, reproof, and correction, for instruction in righteousness, life, health, joy, and rejoicing

A balanced diet consists of several components that are important for various functions. The Word similarly is important in various aspects of the spiritual man.

COMPONENT	AS FOOD	AS WORD
CARBOHYDRATES	Energy to perform	Energizes
FAT	Protection, Covering, energy	Protects
PROTEIN	Body tissue growth and repair	Growth in God
MINERALS	Healthy teeth bones, muscles etc	Promotes Health and structure
VITAMINS	Growth, good health	Promotes Health and well being
WATER	Vital solvent for regulation transportation and excretion	Promotes good communication and harmony
FIBER	Gives food its bulk and ease of passage, cleaning as it passes	Promotes holiness and purity

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.  Jeremiah 15:16 KJV

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 KJV

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV

We do not just smell natural food we get hungry and eat! Many are just content to just smell the Word and exclaim how good it smells. That was quite delightful! Love the aroma! But to really benefit and to live you need to eat!

Anorexia and Bulimia are dangerous conditions both naturally and spiritually!

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV

It is pure and wholesome!

It is a sad fact than many are stuffing themselves with junk food which totally destroys the appetite for good food and is also destructive to a healthy body. In similar manner many saints of God are busy splurging themselves on everything else but the pure Word of God! Fads and junk food may look and taste good but complications will step in after awhile! It is essential that we do not become extreme and overbalanced but that we rightly divide the Word of truth comparing Scripture with Scripture.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Proverbs 30:5 KJV

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.  Psalms 119:140 KJV

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1Timothy 6:3-5 KJV

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV

Food has to be broken up properly (chewed). Reading alone is insufficient. Meditation in the Word is essential

Physical food has to be worked on by enzymes to become properly effective. For the word to profit us it must be mixed with faith “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2 KJV

All our study means nothing unless mixed with faith! If we will but only believe it the Word of God comes with its own faith! So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17 KJV

Dry food chokes and kills! Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 KJV

Let us pray like the psalmist:

Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Psalms 119:33-40 KJV