HUNGRY AND THIRSTY HEARTS (5)

“I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it...” – 1 Corinthians 3:2a

Blessed Hearts are HUNGRY and THIRSTY HEARTS with healthy spiritual appetites: “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. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1Cor.3:2-3). Paul compared the Corinthians to babes. Despite being saved and having access to the power of the Holy Spirit, they remained spiritually immature because they refused to abandon their fleshly and selfish ways, and grow spiritually. Much had to do with their appetite. One of the greatest indicators of health is hunger. When a person isn’t feeling well and visits the doctor, the usual query is “Have you been eating?” Just as physical hunger reflects physical health, spiritual hunger helps to discern spiritual health. It even displays if one is spiritually alive at all.

The pertinent question is: How can we nurture a healthy appetite for the things of God?

First is assurance of salvation; confirming that one is born again. No one can conjure up a desire for the things of God: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Rom.8:7); “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor.2:14). An appetite for divine realities is God’s supernatural work within a person, to respond to Him in salvation and obedience (Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 2:13). Whoever has never accepted Christ or is uncertain of the genuineness of his profession should do so promptly (Rom 10:9-10, 13). God saves, fills with the Holy Spirit, and blesses with a new nature that desires the divine.

Next is to stay away from appetite-killers: Repent and turn away from ungodly habits, entertainment, relationships, and practices. We must be disciplined with even good, legitimate things, or let them go: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1Cor.6:12). We must be vigilant to protect our appetite.

To foster a healthy appetite, we must eat. If a natural baby doesn’t eat for a day, the parents will seek a doctor, who might connect the baby to an IV and force-feed the child to prevent death. We should do the same spiritually. Often the wisest thing to do when we lack a spiritual appetite is to force-feed ourselves: Wake up in the morning and get into the Word and prayer; and do likewise at night; take advantage of spiritual opportunities like small groups, worship services, online media, and other ministries.

Finally, one of the most enjoyable activities in life is eating with others. Friends, families, and lovers eat together; even strangers eat together to get to know one another and better enjoy the food. Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” In Scripture, wisdom and foolishness are more spiritual than intellectual. The fool says in his heart there is no God (Psa.14:1). Therefore, the wise are those who love, honour, and obey God. If we walk with those who love God and study His Word, we will increase in the same. If we walk with people who are hungry for God and for souls, the spirit of evangelism and revival will ignite in our hearts. But, if we walk with those who lack spiritual hunger, are disobedient to God or who compromise their faith, we’ll do the same.

Beloved, are we helping to cultivate hunger for God in those around us? Or are we putting out their fire by our compromise? God is calling us to pursue healthier appetites that will enhance our spiritual development, maturity, and acceptable Kingdom service.