A Careful Diet?

Recently, I met with a trainer at the gym for a free training session. (Of course, they want to sell you more sessions.)  We spoke about my goals and my diet.  Then the trainer printed out for me a diet he wanted me to try.  When I got home, I read it through and realized that there was no way in the world I could follow this particular diet.   It included no grains, no legumes (i.e. no beans—not even peanut butter!), no dairy, and almost no carbs at all.  All this diet allowed you to eat was lots of meat, vegetables, and fruit.  I realized that there was no way in the world I could keep such a diet.  It would mean not being able to enjoy a meal with my family or with friends—constantly saying “no” to all kinds of food.  My whole life would become consumed by what I could and couldn’t eat.  (And, it would make Kim and kids crazy!)

Now, this past year I began to exercise and watch my diet to a degree unlike I have ever done in the past.  For the most part, I’ve tried to be much more careful about what I put into my body.  I’ve cut back on a lot of the sweets and carbs I love so much.  And, I have added more protein, fruits, and vegetables to my diet. My goal is to be stronger and healthier.  Yes, I want to eat right.  But, I don’t want my whole life to become focused on food.  I try to be careful about my diet, but I don’t want it to become the primary aspect of my life. 

In Mark 7, Jesus was dealing with a group of religious leaders whose lives had become consumed by what they put into their bodies.  They made sure they were eating the right foods. They even had certain ways of cleaning their dishes and washing their hands to make sure that they didn’t put any impurities into their bodies. Their lives were totally centered upon what went into their bodies.  Jesus points out, however, they were totally missing the point of the Law. He points out that purity before God is not about what one puts into their body, but what comes out of one’s life. 

Jesus said, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them…For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:15, 21-22 – NIV)

I’m all for eating the right foods and being as strong and healthy as possible.  Yes, I will do my best to be careful about my diet.  But, Jesus’ challenge to me, and to you, is to be much more careful about what comes out of our lives.  Jesus’ words remind us that God has called us to be people out of whose lives flow grace, generosity, kindness, peace, truth, compassion, love—and all of the fruit of the Spirit!  He is much more interested in what comes out than in what goes in! 

Yes, let’s be careful as to what we eat. But, lets be much more careful about how we live!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris