It would be interesting to know how many times we entertain this question in a lifetime. Even when the question is not vocalized we still consider it almost every day. Our answer dictates our meals, both the quantity and type of food. If we are “starv’n”, we probably think we want something heavy and a lot of it. Otherwise, we may just snack a little, eat a piece of fruit or eat just enough to “get by”.

In many ways our experience with food is parallel to our spiritual appetite. But unlike our appetite for food, there is no indication in the Bible that eating just enough to “get by” will enable us to grow into a spiritually mature disciple. In fact, Jesus said just the opposite. In Mat. 5:6 Jesus described the blessed person as one who “hungers and thirsts after righteousness”. In the USB Handbook on translations they comment: “The meaning of the figure is to seek something with all of one’s heart, to desire it above all else.” This description is borne out by noting the tense of the verbs hunger and thirst. Both are present tense (emphasizing continuing action) and in the original language they described a person who was famished and wanted to eat and drink more than anything else.

A good commentary on the nature of the appetite described by Jesus is found in 1 Peter 2:2 which says, “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation.” We all know that babies like to eat often and will let you know about it when they are hungry. A baby without an avaricious appetite is always the object of grave concern.

Similarly, we should be concerned if our spiritual appetite is petite. The Lord knows that it is impossible to grow on crumbs. We would never think of robbing a precious little baby of the food needed to maintain a healthy, growing body. Yet, how many people professing to be a devout follower of Christ eat just enough to “get by” (they think)?

We must not let the devil delude us with his diet plan. Simply put, he will put us on a starvation diet IF we let him. But he does not advertise it as such. In fact he has done a masterful job of disguising it. A person can actually be starving themselves to death (spiritually) while thinking they are as healthy as the proverbial horse. So how can we know which course we are on? Check your hunger level, but be sure you use the Lord’s standard to measure it, NOT Satan’s.

Perhaps one way to assess your appetite is to ask yourself, “Do I eat to live AND am I living to eat?” If so, you are on the road to a having a healthy, well-nourished soul.  KD