Maximizing your spiritual appetite

If you ever completed any type of a food fast, you will surely agree that for that specific time frame your senses and appetite become very alert to anything food related.  Even once complete and you begin to eat again, that first meal may be a simple bowl of chicken broth but the satisfaction received is truly out of this world.    

In the same manner we can maximize our spiritual appetite for spiritual food. 

Previously we have related hearing from God to receiving spiritual food. We agreed that there are two types of cravings abiding in us, a flesh craving and a spiritual craving.  In order to maximize the spiritual appetite, the flesh craving must go on a fast.  

I guess it can be clearly compared to denying yourself unhealthy snacks throughout the day so that you can later enjoy a fancy dinner date.  

You see, unhealthy snacking will hinder your ability to becoming satisfied with the fancy meal.  Just as satisfying the fleshly craving will interfere with the ability to becoming spiritually satisfied and hearing God.

We all have fleshly cravings or passions that have their pull on us. Usually our weak spots, or “feel good” go toos.  They don’t always have to be sinful, and they can be totally okay for someone else. Yet because we constantly resort to them for temporary satisfaction, we can’t experience the satisfaction of God’s presence and the dining of the spiritual food he has prepared for us.  

We also are men of like passions... and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God...filling our hearts with food and gladness.  (Acts 14:17KJV)

In fact, scripture calls constantly satisfying these fleshly cravings, worshipping idols.  Because they are a false “god” or an unhealthy substitution to an existent spiritual hunger.  In order to hear God and dine on his word you have to put the idols aside.

... the Spirit of God came upon Azariah… So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa… If you seek Him, He will be found by you…For many years Israel has been without the true God… In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts.  Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity… And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy… and put away the abominable idols… and renewed the altar of the LORD…Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul… and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about. (2 Chr. Ch 15)

 Once you’ve tasted the sweetness and satisfaction of dining on his word, no other carnal pull can compare. So that you will willingly deny the carnal craving in order to experience the satisfaction of his presence. 

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him…(Hosea 14:8 KJV)

 
 
 
 
Supporting Text

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to  all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…(Titus 2:11-12)

All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires... (Eph. 2 :3)

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:53)

 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Ps 103:5)

He hath given meat to them that fear him: (Ps 111:5)

…no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Ps. 84:11)