Living as an Enemy of the Cross of Christ

​Philippians 3:18b-19 (NIV) says, "Many LIVE as enemies of the Cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things."  Is it possible to accept Jesus as your Savior but still live as if you are His enemy?  Yes!  Unfortunately, it happens every day.  For example, you probably know Christians who are not married but live together like a husband and wife contrary to God's Word.  You sit on the same pew with the Christian who smoked marijuana at a club on Saturday night.  You listened as a deaconess gossiped about a person who came to the church for prayer.  And you, yourself, have made a "god of your stomach" and failed to obey the Lord's commands to "honor God with your body" by keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit in excellent condition.
 
In the event you haven't noticed, the devil doesn't bother you while you are comfortable with your sinful existence.  After all, you are fighting on his side by actively rebelling against Christ.  It's when you resolve to change, or even consider changing, that Satan comes against you.  At that point, you are a threat instead of a pawn on the battlefield because you are trying to become free from bondage that you aren't even aware you are captive to.
 
In terms of health and fitness, that means the cravings intensify.  People suddenly want to take you out to lunch, and you don't even have to pay.  There's no free time to cook your own meals or go to the gym, and those are just the warning shots.  The warfare intensifies until your feeble resolve crumbles, and you return to your sin, in this case, your old eating habits, like a dog to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11).
 
The cure for this is to denounce the idol you have made of your stomach and serve the One True God in every aspect of your life, including how you eat.  In other words, follow Romans 12:1, which says, "I beseech ye, therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  Then the battle is no longer yours. It's the Lord's!  He'll fight for you when you stop warring against Him!  
 
If you’re ready to stop living as enemies of the Cross of Christ, then purchase your copies of the Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook and the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher’s Edition online today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com.  In the books, you will learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God.  Read our weekly blog for motivation to stay healthy and fit through Christ.  Follow us daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for recipes, and diet and exercise tips.  Tune in to our syndicated radio show on the DFW Den Radio Station, the StudioW Buzz Radio Station, and Victory KVDW 100.9 FM, 95.3 FM, and 1530 AM in Little Rock, Arkansas for interviews and health and fitness trends.  Lastly, make your tax-deductible donation to Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries at www.eatingasanactofworshipministries.org!