APPETITES
Are YOU your appetites?
I was in the middle of a fast and I noticed how our appetites are running our lives. I’ve also noticed that mankind makes most of its decisions, plans, and purposes/destiny all from the need to fulfill some appetite.
So, who’s in control? You, God, or Your Appetites?
Here’s a list of some of the appetites I’m talking about:
- Sex
- Power
- Food
- Success/Competitiveness/Gambling
- The need to be Liked/Valued/Recognized
- Money
- Plant Life – Street Drugs, Pharmaceutic, Alcohol
Let me first tell you, all these appetites are necessary, and some were given by God for us to survive, thrive, enjoy and master. As a matter of fact they weren’t even a problem or issue when the Holy Spirit was guiding our lives. When I think of appetites the book of Genesis comes to mind in the beginning where God told Adam to rule and have dominion. Now that mankind is in its fallen state (Not having Holy Spirit in man) it’s plain to see that the very things we are to master are in turn ruling some of us. Appetites are so out of control, besides ruining lives with negative habits and killing some, they have managed to get many to ignore God. When you ignore God; the negativity escalates, and real hope dissipates.
When dealing with appetites there are two major factors at play, one is perception, and the other is discipline/self-control. Perceiving from a Kingdom perspective is a first step in managing your appetites. You must know the kingdom to have a kingdom perspective. Even if you’re new to the kingdom of God as you are learning this perspective you can still walk in kingdom principles by simply judging the characteristics an appetite exudes. Holy Spirit gave me this illustration it’s simple, but it works, “Either it lines up with the Kingdom of God or lines up with the Kingdom of darkness”. Most believers can tell the difference between evil and good; most of the time we can judge that for ourselves. However, appearances can be deceiving that’s why we all need Holy Spirit guidance to be our final say, ask Him, He’s here to help.
The second part self-control, I know the world will claim you don’t need to be a believer to have self-control, they will back it up with plenty of evidence of how they did this or that. (When the enemy knows that those ungodly pursuits will help you stay away from God, he’ll probably help you achieve that goal) I’m not knocking their accomplishments, but it takes spiritual empowerment to fight off a spiritual attack. I know the world doesn’t know it’s in a spiritual battle, but it’s a problem when the believers don’t know there in a spiritual battle. I know that the root of appetites is wrapped up with the flesh and the flesh has but one desire, rule which leads you away from God. If the flesh controls your appetites in turn the flesh controls you.
Check out this list of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit. These are the characteristics that tell you what kingdom they align with.
The Flesh
Galatians 5 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), 21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Spirit
Galatians 5 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge]. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. 25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
Winning the battle
So, you see the challenge for the believer is to walk in the spirit and not the flesh. God show us (believers) many ways to stay in the spirit, fasting, casting down thoughts, aligning yourself with the right people, staying in His word (Bible) so the word has a chance to grow deep roots in you, study often. All of these and more are how you stay in the spirit but it’s a battle of the mind. Winning the mind battle is simple, in theory, but it could be a challenge in application. This is how it works, whatever you put in your mind is what’s going to be expressed. You’ve heard the saying “garbage in garbage out” it works just like that. If you fill your life with the word of God that expression of God will come out. Whatever you meditate on TV, music, social media, web sites you visit, whatever you fill in your mind with that’s what is going to come out.
Philippians 4 (Living Bible)
8 And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
If you have been filling your mind with reality TV or watching too much news or listening to negative music or gaming or hours of Facebook, make an adjustment/change. Check yourself take an inventory of what you been filling your mind with and if it’s not positive or kingdom then cut it off or cut back and replace it with something positive and the kingdom of God. It only works if YOU work it!
Seek the word because the word works if you work it.
Randy McKinney