Advice for Dieters

The famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, gave his students some well-known advice. Many remember that famous phrase, “Know thyself!” He also frequently stated the following, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Someone else has suggested that those dieting should follow this advice: “NO thyself.” I was recently talking to my wife regarding my habit of snacking at night, the formula for success is simple, “Just say no” to the food. “Easier said than done”, you may say. But it is a simple solution, none the less. We also need to put the “flesh” or old nature on a diet, and only fill ourselves with spiritual food. Christ said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34

We all have the ability to say NO at any time in our lives. Paul warned us in Romans 13:14 to “...make no provision for the flesh.” We do that by following the first part of the verse, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ...” We need to be ready to say No to the devil and the temptations that he will put before us. It has been said that “the great men of the Bible were men of NO ability.”

We live in a world that says, “Just do it”. This is a generation of excess where a sense of entitlement causes many to live by the following credo. “Please and pamper yourself because you’re number one.” In this society, it is a good thing to be reminded that as Christians we should follow the godly counsel to “No thyself” and practice Biblical, God-honoring discipline in our lives.

Kirk Piccott, Principal
First Baptist Academy