Eating, Sleeping, and Binge-Living

Over the past few months, the Lord has taught me a lot about what living in denial of the flesh and pursuit of His Spirit looks like. "For the mind that is set on the flesh is death, but the mind that is set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8 has been a mantra in my life, swelling like the tide, where God constantly pushes me to draw nearer to Him, lose the grip I have on the world, and surrender. 

One of the first areas God pruned here was in outright sin and temptation. Okay, so it's not only bad to lust, but this also includes indulging the imagination, seeking pleasure for pleasure's sake, and intentionally watching or listening to graphic media. Jesus takes our holiness very seriously, and has taught me that erring on the side of "I wonder how much I can get away with without sinning" is a mind that is set on the flesh. When Jesus walked this Earth, His thoughts were never about getting away with the gray areas, but dwelling in complete holiness — and what is holiness but being set apart to be made like God, made like Christ. 

Let's think about gray areas for a second. Is sleep bad? Is eating bad? Is Netflix bad? No. None of these things are sinful, in and of themselves.

Is it bad for me to sleep 12 hours in a night, or eat foods I love until I feel sick of them, or sit in front of Netflix and watch all of my favorite show in a night? Yes. From what I've come to experience — sleep, eating, entertainment, sex — all of these things are from God and are therefore good things. It's when we start to use these things as an outlet for fulfillment that they step into the role of our Comforter and become idols. We were never meant to be fulfilled by our flesh. "For the mind of the flesh is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot. And those who are in the flesh cannot please God"  To binge-live, we are unknowingly submitting to the will of our flesh, to what feels good. "You say, 'Food for the stomach and the stomach for food', and God will destroy them both" (1 Corinthians 6:13) but God has so much more for us. He has proclaimed victory for us over our flesh, and that victory comes through life in His Spirit and presence. "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again"  (John 4:14) and "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to be will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).

Jesus has fulfillment in store for us. Complete satisfaction, promised in His Word. Would we pray about the ways we can surrender our own appetites to the King of Kings, who loves and wants to see us feasting on His Word and His Presence instead?

Lord, I know that I struggle with the flesh. I've tried again and again to win a losing battle, but I now recognize that victory will only come through life in Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, reveal the ways in which I've submitted to the flesh, and focus my mind on you. I don't want to think about the things of the flesh anymore, but I want to focus on You and You alone. Sanctify my heart and mind, making me like Christ daily, in pursuing the presence of God, who dwells in complete holiness and righteousness. I admit I can't do this on my own. I need your help and power to live my life for You. I love you Lord, and I worship you with my day today. In Jesus' name, Amen.