When Bigger Is Not At All Better

An advisory committee for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has concluded that obesity will be this century’s greatest health threat. The report reveals that far too many consume far too much sugar and solid fats and are in desperate need of a more nutrient-rich, plant-based diet.The report is based on the latest scientific evidence and was prepared by a 13-member advisory committee of national nutrition and health experts.

At present, almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children are overweight or obese. To deal with the problem – one that causes so many short and long-term health issues, the advisory committee highlighted the following four major steps:

•Reduce overweight and obesity by cutting calorie intake and increasing physical activity.

• Shift to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. In addition, increase the intake of seafood and fat-free and low-fat milk products, and consume only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry and eggs.

•Significantly reduce intake of foods containing added sugars and solidfats, which contribute about 35% of the calories in the American diet. Also, reduce sodium intake gradually to less than 1,500 milligrams a day and lower intake of refined grains, especially those that have added sugar, solid fat and sodium.

• Meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Adults should get at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, such as brisk walking, or 1¼ hours of a vigorous-intensity activity, such as jogging or swimming laps, or a combination of the two types. Kids and teens should do an hour or more of moderate-intensity to vigorous physical activity daily.

It seems rather obvious that, for better health, Americans in genera lneed to eat less of the bad things and partake of more of what’s good. It really is a matter of simple common sense - but apparently far easier said than done.

The same God who created the physical body of man, and the requirements that make it function best, has done the exact same in the spiritual arena. His Word is clear that a lack of proper spiritual nutrition is as detrimental to the soul as is a lack of good physical food is to the human body.

The writer of Hebrews addressed the subject of spiritual health and maturity in chapter five. Verse 12 begins, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan, He responded by stating the superior and eternal value of spiritual food versus physical. Luke 4:3-4 states, “And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying,"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"

Paul likewise pointed to the necessity of proper spiritual nutrition in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians when he chastised the church there for their poor biblical diet. “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

An overweight society will not, in general, enjoy the benefits of a healthy existence. Eating poorly will eventually affect the quality of life as well as physical life spans. And in like manner, Christians who ignore the adequate intake of the life-sustaining food of God’s Word will find themselves spiritually ill, weak, and open to all manner of unfortunate and even dangerous trials and troubles.

The miraculous body and soul of man was invented and fashioned by an omniscient and omnipotent God. David put it like this in Psalm 139:14. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." And both of these aspects respond best when each one is properly fueled by the things intended by the One who created them.

The responsibility of the Christian to pay attention to his or her physical health is seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

The reason for paying special attention to one’s spiritual diet is summed up briefly, but effectively, in the Old Testament by the prophet Jeremiah. “Your words were found, and I ate them. And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

But for any who may wonder about the direct link between being in good spiritual health, and overall physical wellness, need to consider the amazing truth as taught in Proverbs 3:7-8. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones."

Bill Breckenridge