The Key to Unlocking Spiritual Clarity
Like Daniel, I must purpose in my heart to protect my temple, for a clouded mind is a barrier to a clear connection with the Creator.
Every time I sit down to write about something I have learned or an experience I have had, it becomes a growth experience for me. I often think this is exactly what I need for myself. As I write, the Lord seems to bring so many things to my mind; many times in the night, He brings a thought to me, and the next day I sit down to make a note of it or begin the writing process.
This B.A.L.A.N.C.E.D. Living series is no exception. As I write, the Lord brings me to my own conviction and the realization of changes that I need to make in my life. You might say I am journaling my life experiences and the lessons I’ve learned, and you get to take a sneak peek. I pray that it is a blessing to you.
As we continue this series, we are focusing on the "N" in B.A.L.A.N.C.E.D. Living. We are looking at two vital sides of the same coin:
Physical: N = Nutrition for Wellness
Spiritual: N = Nourish Yourself with God's Word
Our bodies and our souls both require specific "fuel" to thrive. Let’s dive into how we can find balance in both.
Part 1: Nutrition for Wellness (The Physical)
The Question: Am I feeding my body in a way that honors God?
To answer this, we must first understand who our bodies actually belong to.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
Our bodies are the temple of God. He wants to dwell in this temple, and because of that, how we take care of it is very important to Him. When we view our physical health through the lens of stewardship—taking care of something that belongs to God—our nutritional choices become an act of worship.
We see a powerful example of this "purposeful" eating in the life of Daniel:
Daniel 1:8-16 "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse."
Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts not to bring anything into their bodies that would defile them. There is a deep biological truth here: how we eat affects our brains and our ability to make decisions. Daniel and his friends wanted to be sure that their minds were clear. Living in a very ungodly, Babylonian environment, they needed every bit of mental clarity possible to maintain their connection with God and make the right choices.
I believe we are living in a very ungodly time today. There are so many distractions and influences pulling us away from our connection with God. We need clear minds to discern truth from error, and we cannot afford to let poor nutrition hinder our brain function.
Part 2: Nourish Yourself with God's Word (The Spiritual)
The Question: How can I make God’s Word a daily priority?
Just as we need proper nutrition for our physical bodies to function well, we need spiritual nutrition for our souls.
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
We cannot prosper spiritually if we depart from God and His Word. We must fill our lives with Scripture daily. Just as nutritious food allows the physical body to prosper, spiritual food causes our inner man to thrive.
Psalm 1:2-3 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
I love these verses. I want to delight in God’s law so deeply that I am like that tree—constantly fed by the "river" of His Spirit. I want to be so connected to Him that my immediate response to any trial is a prayer or a scripture that comes to mind.
Finally, we see how the physical and spiritual meet in the words of Jesus:
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
We must give our bodies the nutrition they need, but we cannot live by physical food alone. The real benefit of proper eating is that it clears the "fog" from our minds, allowing us to hear the voice of God speaking through His Word.
A Prayer of Commitment
Dear Heavenly Father,
I recognize today that my body is Your temple, bought with the precious price of Your Son. I confess that I haven't always treated it with the respect it deserves. Today, I purpose in my heart—like Daniel—to choose nutrition that honors You and clears my mind for Your service. Lord, nourish my soul as well. Give me a hunger for Your Word that exceeds my hunger for physical food. Let Your truth be my daily bread.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
5 Action Steps for B.A.L.A.N.C.E.D. Nourishment
Purpose in Your Heart: Before you even sit down to eat, decide that your health is a spiritual matter. When you "purpose" beforehand, you are less likely to make impulsive, unhealthy choices.
The "Ten-Day" Test: Like Daniel, try a short-term commitment to cleaner, whole-food eating (more "pulse" and water). Notice how much clearer your mind feels and how much easier it is to focus on prayer.
Feast Before You Eat: Make it a rule to spend time reading Scripture before your first meal of the day. Nourish the soul before you nourish the stomach.
Meditate on the "Why": Keep 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 on your fridge or at your desk. Reminding yourself that you are "not your own" changes your motivation from vanity to stewardship.
Remove the Hinderances: Identify one specific food or habit that makes you feel sluggish or "foggy." Replace it with a nutritious alternative that supports brain health and spiritual alertness.
I am realizing more and more as I watch the way our world is going how important it is to make a commitment to not allow anything to pass through my lips that will jeopardize my thinking. I want to be able to think clearly and make the right choices. I know from experience: the more I watch what I put into my body, the more my desire for God’s Word grows. When the temple is clean and the mind is clear, the Word of God resonates with power.
Checkout the video version: HERE
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