January is the month for starting diets, right? But before you launch into that new diet plan, see if this passage of Scripture sounds familiar:
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body… Colossians 2:20-23a (NIV)
And then there’s a big “but” that all dieters really need to pay attention to: …but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:23b (NIV)
The rules don’t work!! The “harsh treatment of the body” doesn’t work! Yes, the rules have an “appearance of wisdom,” but they really do not control/restrain “sensual indulgence”!
What does restrain sensual indulgence? Read Galatians 5:16 and you tell me!
I’ve never actually thought of overeating as ‘sensual indulgence’, but it makes sense. If I am eating for other reasons than hunger, then it is sensual indulgence…..emotional eating.
Trusting in the Holy Spirit to change my eating from sensual indulgence to meeting my body’s need for healthy nutriment has been the best choice I’ve ever made regarding my issues with overeating.