Spiritual Junk Food

Sure, that Egg McMuffin has protein in it.
Yes, potato is the primary ingredient in potato chips.
Of course, ice cream is made of milk.

*Shocker* Junk food is not all bad.

No. But it's the trace of good food in it that makes us think we're nourished. It's the same with spiritual junk food- a little biblical truth mixed with additives like selfishness and indulgence and preservatives like relevance and tolerance.

Like I mentioned in the previous post, if you leave home spiritually hungry, your spirit will find some junk to eat. Before long we'll find ourselves nodding at a "just believe" bumper sticker or singing "You're one in a million". (Problem- Just believe in what? And if "I'm one in a million", shouldn't I focus on me?) On days like these, I'll catch myself thinking some trial is unfair or complaining "I shouldn't have to..."

A hardship is like a sudden marathon race for my spirit. Now what I've eaten is put to the test. If life is all about me, then pain is ultimately unbearable. What a contrast to the words Martin Luther penned in "A Mighty Fortress is Our God":

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

I'm learning that getting deep, nourishing truth doesn't have to mean reading an entire book of the Bible or even a whole chapter at once. It does mean getting pure, raw truth without additives and preservatives- straight from the Bible. Keep in mind, God's word is always fresh.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and

intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Ponder this: Is my life more about Jesus or me? What other additives and preservatives can you find in spiritual junk food? (Hint: an additive masks the flavor and a preservative artificially extends shelf-life)

Comments

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a surrendered life

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