Do you WEAR your food?

Child tantrumHave you ever heard the old saying “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips?” With some foods, it is true!

If I had known when I was overindulging in sweets, fast food, and junk food that these foods would cause me to gain 100 pounds after high school, I don’t believe I would have done it.

However, I did know on some level that these foods weren’t good for me, but I chose to eat them anyway. I didn’t practice this bit of Biblical wisdom:

 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).”

But in dropping from a size 22 to a size 8, I learned this is not a question of natural willpower. It is about realizing that while you can eat anything, you shouldn’t eat everything.

If you struggle with your weight due to your eating habits, then there are probably some foods you are eating that don’t play well with your brain chemistry. Some foods cause cravings and make you want to overeat. For some people, they cause your flesh to rise up.

Even the Apostle Paul struggled with his flesh in some areas. In Romans, he writes about the battle with his flesh:

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:15-25).”

Years ago, the Lord taught me that your flesh is like a spoiled child who can never grow up. Your flesh will never want to do the right thing. She wants what she wants, when she wants it.

I call my flesh nature “Veruca.” Click the play button in the clip from the classic movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” You’ll see why!


If you were taking your flesh child to a store, would you take that child down the candy or the toy aisle?

No you wouldn’t. It you did, then you’d have to put up with the child’s tantrums and noise when you denied her what she wanted. I call this “waking up Veruca.”

To me, it is the same thing as continually giving into your flesh’s desires to do the wrong thing. Even if you gave in, she will only want more. And as you can see, your flesh can be very destructive if you let her do what she wants!

I’ve decided as much as I like food, nothing is good enough for me to wear anymore:

  • It is not good enough for the extra strain it puts on your heart.
  • It not good enough for the wear and tear it puts on your joints.
  • It is not good enough for the increased risk of diabetes and stroke.

Excess food isn’t good enough to wear.

If you’ve had problems controlling your flesh when it comes to food, the first thing to remedy the situation is to avoid or limit trouble foods. An example happened to me just yesterday.

I bought some low-sugar Craisins (dried cranberries), then found myself having to battle my flesh because she wanted more. This surprised me because I was thinking this would be a healthier alternative to the Craisins I used to buy years ago.

While this may have been a better alternative, it still didn’t play well with my unique brain chemistry. So to face reality. I chose to get rid of them and won’t buy them again because I don’t want to hear my flesh complain about being denied.

It is wise for you to learn which foods in your current diet are causing your flesh to rise up. It’s probably those same foods that have caused you to gain weight in the first place.

If you do happen to come into trouble, not of your own making, then you can either say “Wait” to the flesh (a word she hates) or “No” (which she hates even more).

Either way, your Spirit has power to control the flesh like a responsible parent controls a child headed for trouble. However, you must believe God that it exists and by faith, use that power one choice at a time.

Kimberly Taylor

www.takebackyourtemple.com

P.S.  If you are tired of wearing your food choices, then check out how you can release excess weight permanently here:

https://www.takebackyourtemple.com/program

There is no time like the present to become a good steward over the wonderful gift God has given you in your body and your health. So feel free to click the link so you can get started right now:

https://takebackyourtemple.com/program

About the author 

Kimberly Taylor

Kimberly Taylor is a certified Christian life coach and has a heart to help others struggling with emotional eating and weight loss. Once 240 pounds and a size 22, she can testify of God’s goodness and healing power to overcome. She lost 85 pounds as a result of implementing techniques to overcome emotional eating and binge eating disorder.

Kim is the author of "The Take Back Your Temple Program," which teaches Christians how to take control of their weight God's way and the books "The Weight Loss Scriptures" and "The Weight Loss Prayers."

Kim has been featured in Prevention Magazine, Charisma Magazine and on CBN’s 'The 700 Club' television program.

  • I love what you said
    “ Is it good enough to wear ? “
    I will remember this next time I’m reaching for a sugary treat.
    Sugar is my trigger to binge.
    I binge and restrict, I’m actually skinny, but I have to stop the bingeing, it’s killing me emotionally and physically.
    I love reading your messages and watching your videos on YouTube.
    I’m a Christian also, may a God Bless You !

  • YES!!! Thank you Kimberly for this post!! And Debra, you took the words right out of my mouth! This is a great visual reminder and one of the most graphic examples I’ve ever seen of how “ugly” it is to want what I want and want it NOW! Kimberly: thanks for tying this together with the words from Paul in Romans 7. I subscribed to your program last Fall, but have to confess that I did not start it! I have all the emails saved and need to start, but have had a hard time committing myself. I have had success with weight loss in the past, but always yo-yo up to more than when I started! 🙁 I have over 100 lbs to lose and it seems so daunting. But reading what I have from you, I believe your words are anointed by God, and I am praying that I can make that “mental switch” to doing what I know to do! Thank you again for sharing what you have learned with all of us.

  • Wow, what a visual! I don’t want to wear my food anymore. God created it for a good purpose, to give us health. Gen 1:29 Thank you for sharing that story, I’ll not be listening to Veruca or give in to her tantrums again. I’m onto her ways now. 🙂 she listens too much to our enemy who just wants to kill, rob, destroy. The Holy Spirit would not do that to us. thanks for opening my eyes. love you so much.

    • You are welcome, Debra – our Lord wants what is best for us. Our Spirit is in tune with our Father’s wishes, not our flesh. So we have to be mindful of our temptations and not make provision for the flesh. God bless you – love you too!

  • Today I needed this. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!
    Kim That clip described the struggle I go through with junk food! I know you pray for all who are on the TBYT Journey. I want deliverance and I WANT IT NOW! Pray I stay committed to the cause

    Blessings
    Kimberly

  • Thank you so much for sharing the blessings of the knowledge and wisdom, that The Lord has given you. Also the struggles that you have had applying what you have learned. These things have been such a blessing and help in along life of my struggle with weight lose. I have learned so much from reading the emails, books, and the other resources you have.
    God Bless and Keep You Always.

  • I found your devotionals in my Bible app. Thanks for the video. I was crying while I was watching it. I will be 58 in May. I’m struggling with my weight, I’m 197 right now. I would like to lose about 25 or 30 pounds. I know that I have to do it alone but is so hard. I did it when I was in the 40’s and I lost 53 pounds and I gained back. My problem right now is that I see myself eating more than before, I notice specially when I’m stress out taking care of my granddaughters I look for something to snack most of the time. I’m just trying. Thanks, Kitty

  • This is great insight! I hadn’t considered that if the food I am eating is causing me to crave more I should just cut it out completely. Though I have concluded this when it come to any type of cane sugar and/or wheat products. It just seems like a big “DUH!” moment for me (lol!). Let the LORD be magnified! Thanks so very much for sharing (HIS) spiritual insight. BE BLESSED!

    • To God be the glory, JKN! How much better to focus on the foods that make you feel energetic and emotionally stable? I think of it as like a soldier – we are on a mission, so its important that we take care of ourselves so that we can fulfill our purpose. Plus, we can enjoy our lives more. It’s a win/win all around!

  • Thank you so very much for sharing the truth. I appreciate your insights & celebrate your victory. I’m working on becoming a better steward of my temple. Im learning how to to better so I can be better, No I want to be my very best!!!
    May God richly bless you.

  • This article is right on and so timely! Thank you!! I am in such a battle to be a better example for our family & to bring honor & glory to Jesus. Temptation is everywhere but it is a BIG FAT lie!! Nothing satisfies but being right with the LORD :). Praising Him for your encouragement!

  • Awesome and insightful! I see so much of myself represented in the video clip. (In regards to food, at least.) Thank you for this. You have given me yet another tool to use when facing my food temptations. My flesh is certainly a spoiled brat. I think I will name her and put her butt in the corner next time she demands something that is detrimental to my well-being.

  • Hi, I love reading your wise words and insight. I have to admit that this particular blog did give me some concern, but again it is all about trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth. Some of the comments such as waking up your inner child, etc. do sound like worldly psychoanalytical speech. We must be so careful as 1 Cor. 10:3-5 tells us to “destroy speculations.” I understand Kimberly what you are meaning, and we know that there is alway going to be a battle between our flesh and spirit. For me, it raises a red flag to actually give my flesh a name and then refer to it whenever I am tempted to sin and run after idols. Again, I hear where you are going and I am not in any questioning your love for Jesus. It is just a cautionary word in regards to mixing “freudian, rogerian, etc.” thinking in with God’s Truth. I have benefitted so much from your website and book. Have hidden many of the “eating” Scriptures in my heart. Thank you for using your experience and love for Jesus to minister to others.

    • Hi Wendy, I do appreciate your concern. Actually, I didn’t even think about anything Freudian – it’s just the picture I use as a metaphor, not literal. This metaphor doesn’t exalt itself against the knowledge of God, which is the scripture you refer to rightly warns us about. This metaphor is meant to be similar to the Bible personifying wisdom as a woman in the Proverbs (see Proverbs 1:20-33 as an example). The metaphor is designed to show the flesh can be controlled through the Holy Spirit. In the end, everyone has to follow what the Holy Spirit leads them to do. God bless you!

      • I understand, Kimberly. Thanks for taking the time to explain. Yeah, like where wisdom is personified as a woman…and foolishness as a prostitute. Thanks again.

  • This was a very nice article to read and very helpful. I am not sure how many men are a part of this email list but I can see if men were honest this is an issue we have as well. I am in the process of getting back into shape but when people look at me they make comments like “You don’t need to loose weight” or “I bet you love to shop at those stores for slim guys.” Either way I find myself being offended but because I don’t “look” like I need to loose weight I have to silently scream inside and give the half smile. People think because I am not 200 or 300 pounds that I don’t want to be in shape and healthy. It seems as if there is a double standard for people who are not as big as other people are but they want to loose weight and be healthy. I wish those people who are larger than me and are trying to loose weight would see that I am fighting just as hard across from them to be the weight I desire too.

    • Hi Jay – you bring up an interesting viewpoint. I applaud you for your desire to get healthy. I can see how those who don’t struggle with weight might get less empathy with their eating issues. But I’ve discovered that anorexia, bulimia and obesity due to food issues are all varying degrees of the same eating disorder spectrum. The bottom line is that most of us do want to be as healthy as we possibly can so that we can fulfill the purpose for which God created for us without hindrance. My prayer is that you succeed with your goals – whether anybody else understands or not. You have a constant companion in the Holy Spirit. He understands and as long as you are following His guidance, you will succeed!

  • Thank you so much for your inspiration and your words they help me a to understand why and what i’m dealing with concerning my dating habits. Please continue sending me information and suggestion on how to lose at least 50 pounds i’m 59 years of age i’m 5 ‘2 1/2 my weight is 213 i gained 1 pound where i had lost 4 1/2 .

    • Loved the illustration that you shared here. What I noticed since dying to my flesh is, if I eat healthy, I crave healthy. If I eat junk, I crave junk. So good in and bad out. I do treat myself on occasions, but it is not how each day runs. God wants the glory and I don’t need to reach for bread that won’t satisfy. God’s Word will nurture and care for me like no food on earth can. Praise God….

      • Indeed Sonia, praise God! It’s wise for each of us to learn what works best for us. I also now crave healthy foods and love how much more energy I have when I eat them. Plus, I know that these foods will help me age better, so I pay attention to them. I want to stay active my whole life so that I can do everything the Lord would have me do. I want to be fruitful, even to old age. My prayer is the same for you. God bless you!

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