Change in Diet (Part 2)

When you hear the word “diet,” what comes to mind?

Something you need to do? Something you need to do again? A program designed to help you lose weight?

Technically, “all the above” could be the right answer, but how you define the word can change your life.

Do you see “diet” as something you do for a designated period of time or a decision to permanently change the way you eat.

If your primary goal is weight loss, odds are you will more than likely return to the way of eating that got you there in the first place. It’s something I’ve done multiple times. Proverbs 26:11 (NKJV) “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” Graphic, but applicable.

When I shared I was going to follow the Carnivore diet, Sara, Stephanie, and my doctor all asked the same question.

“Is it sustainable?”

No one wanted to see me adopt a temporary lifestyle change only to return to my former unhealthy self.

I didn’t see this is as a temporary change, but a long term transformation. My primary focus was not on weight loss, but the many other health benefits associated with a proper diet. I’d listened to a number of people give testimony of the radical changes experienced through this way of eating (preferred over “diet”) and what intrigued me was for many, weight loss wasn’t even in the top three.

Did I want to lose weight? Absolutely, but I knew that would come as a a result of making “health” my priority, not the bathroom scale.

Focus on transformation and the rest will take care of itself.

As Christians, we’re called to transformation not weight loss. Our focus is to be on the inside of the cup, not the outside. (Matt 23:25-26) Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they placed great emphasis on the outward appearance, but were rotten inside. He told them to “first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Transformation is the command to every Believer, and Romans 12:2 is the foundational directive to discipleship. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

But there is a powerful truth often overlooked in this verse that introduces Believers to the wrong spiritual diet, and a big reason why so many of us are spiritually lethargic.

We need to understand there is a major difference between transformation and nonconformity.

When a church places a greater emphasis on nonconformity than transformation, your focus will be on the “outside of the cup,” and you’ll quickly slide into legalism. It’s the fast track to becoming a Pharisee.

There’s another trap to “nonconformity” I believe the church has also fallen into. When you get stuck in the first part of this verse, you will find yourself seeing Christianty not as a “new life,” as God intended, but an “alternative lifestyle.” We find ourselves trying to reach the world using the methods of the world. You know, “the same but different.” Unlike Paul, we go to the world with excellency of speech and enticing words of man’s wisdom. We no longer preach the gospel, we sell timeshares.

Anyone can be a nonconformist, but only a follower of Christ can be transformed.

John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “If you abide in my My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The word “abide” means “to continue in,” not an occasional glance. Renewing your mind leads to transformation, and abiding in His Word renews the mind.

Clean the inside of the cup and the outside will be clean also.

And that’s sustainable.

By Published On: June 18th, 2024Categories: Brooks2 Comments on Change in Diet (Part 2)

2 Comments

  1. Jennifer Wilson June 18, 2024 at 4:23 am - Reply

    I love the correlation of when we become a Christian we need to eat different and we are not to go on a diet. That’s a good word. That would seem so out of sorts to “go on a diet” with Him.

  2. Debbie Nelson June 18, 2024 at 2:24 pm - Reply

    Perfect analogy!

Leave A Comment