Food addiction is a real thing.
That’s one reason I wrote the book, Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction, releasing January 3, 2017 with Moody Publishers.
Visit www.thefull.life today for a free sample chapter and some fun pre-order goodies!
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Health scientists have recently published studies showing that sugar has the same effect on our brains as cocaine.
And although I know that… I still reach for the ice cream bin and scoop myself a generous four scoops when I hear bad news. I still munch on animal crackers while working on an intense article. I still sneak an extra bite or two of that yummy pizza while packing away leftovers.
For those of us who have been on diets for years and have seen our weight go up and down like gasoline prices, we know that simple head knowledge isn’t enough to battle food addiction. This is a REAL BATTLE with my emotions and my genes and chemistry, and the longer I fight it, the more I feel like it’s a losing battle.
You too?
Well… no more! This is the year of living in Grace and Truth, and I invite you to take up the sword of the Spirit to overcome food addictions. Jesus has already won the war over sin, temptation, demons, and darkness so we can go forward and claim His victory in this area of our lives.
These are fighter verses, sisters! Let’s go and conquer in Jesus’ Name the food cravings that have been haunting us for far too long! We WILL overcome food addiction in our lives!
Tweet This(Note: Some of these verses do not specifically mention food, but are geared toward spiritual battle. As you read the verses, apply them to your own personal struggles with food, however they may look in your own life.)
God cares about every aspect of my life, including what I eat and drink, and there’s a way to eat and drink that brings more glory to God. That’s what I want.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
It’s pointless to go on new diets or just “try harder”; I will experience victory over my food cravings when I rely on God’s strength instead of my own.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:2, 1a
I’ve been stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat for long enough; it’s time to follow God’s directions into the Promised Land of freedom from food addiction.
You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.
Deuteronomy 2:3
I will not allow my cravings to master me; instead, I will master them and bring them to Jesus.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Though battling cravings is hard, it is a chance to see Jesus Christ’s power working in me through my weaknesses.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When that chocolate bar calls my name, I will rely on the strength of God to carry me through the temptation; I can’t do this on my own, but He certainly can!
Blessed are those whose strength is in you. […] They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:5a, 7
If I’ve slipped back into old habits, I will not wallow in despair; instead, I will remember that God rescued me from darkness and His forgiveness and mercies are new every morning. There IS hope!
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
When I’m tempted to compromise, I will look beyond the immediate gratification of the food before me and focus on the long-term satisfaction of living in a healthy body, ready to serve God.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
1 Corinthians 6:19
When there’s a special event, I will prepare by putting on the armor of God to stand my ground and claim God’s victory over my food addiction.
Therefore put on the full armor of God. […] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth, […] the breastplate of righteousness, […] the gospel of peace, […] the shield of faith […] the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Ephesians 6:13-18
Just because I CAN eat something doesn’t mean I SHOULD. If it’s not part of my healthy eating plan, I’m going to leave it on the plate.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial.
“I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive.
“I have the right to do anything”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23, 6:12b
I can’t trust my own thought process in the moment of temptation; I need to set up boundaries to protect me from my own weaknesses.
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10
God never intended for me to be trapped by my taste buds. Food is good when I receive it as a good gift from a loving Father.
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. […] Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
Genesis 1:29, 9:3
Before putting something “iffy” in my mouth, I need to stop and prayerfully ask the Lord to search my heart. Am I eating out of boredom? sadness? anger? cravings? real hunger?
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
When I’m angry at food and view it as an enemy, I will remember that God sets the table for me and invites me to come and join Him. I feast with the Creator of the Universe.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5
When I’m tempted, I will walk away from it or get rid of it.
No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
I was created for freedom, not slavery to food addiction. Jesus set me free!
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36
I will not judge someone else’s diet based on my own, or justify my bad habits based on what others are eating.
Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
Romans 14:3-5
When I’m surrounded by bad food choices, I will look for the few items I can enjoy, even if just a glass of water.
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
Revelation 3:8
Sometimes it’s hard to overcome years of bad eating habits, but Jesus calls me to say “no” to my selfish desires and “yes” to Him.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23
My food choices matter to God, so I will set wise parameters to make healthy eating easier for myself.
Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Romans 14:12
My soul was made to crave God.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35
I view my self-imposed boundaries not as restrictions but as safety rails that allow me to enjoy all permitted food groups freely.
Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:19
Jesus came to give me life. Lots of life. Abundant life. Life overflowing with joy and gladness in Him, not food.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
We will overcome food addiction by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and by daily living out His victory, which is our testimony.
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
Revelation 12:11
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