What Are You Feeding Your Soul? 3 Ways To Nourish Your Spiritual life
I am a big fan of good plot lines, suspense stories, and thrillers. I love the story rides and the new worlds we experience through movies and books. I often find myself rooting for a character, so much, such that I feel like I’m part of their journey.
So, on most days, whenever I get some free time, I always opt for a good fictional book or a movie. Over the years as I have grown in my walk with Christ, I’ve had to stop reading a book or a movie I really liked. Even if the plotline was out of this world!
My reason? What I feed my heart determines what comes out of my mouth, and in turn, impacts how I live my life.
Even if we are not conscious about it, what we consume by hearing, watching, or thinking, affects our faith and beliefs.
A movie with heavy use of curse words seems pretty harmless, but in the long run, you might start using the same curse words in uncalled-for situations.
That steamy movie with two super romantic characters doesn’t feel like sin, but soon, unconsciously, the thoughts creep into your mind, and now you have to deal with unclean thoughts and fantasies.
Just think about it. Whenever you head to bed, you will secure windows and lock all the doors. We have faith that no burglars will attack us, but either way, we take these extra measures for our safety.
Such vigilance is the same type God requires of us in regard to our spiritual lives. The devil is described in the bible as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And you can be sure that Satan will use every manner of enticing to get into your life and rake havoc.
Peter admonishes us to be vigilant always, to guard our hearts at whatever cost, and be sober in our walk.
1st Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
From the heart comes all manner of evil
In Mathew 15, Jesus tells his disciples, that the heart is where all lusts, fornication, adultery, slander, and more come from. Thing is, these sins did not just appear out of nowhere in your heart. They come as a result of indulgence in movies, books, conversations, or activities that don’t build up our spirit man.
Christ goes ahead to explain that these issues stemming from our hearts, end up defiling the true form of holiness and purity that we have in Christ. In other words, consciously feeding our hearts with the things that defile us, gives Satan legal grounds to torment, and steal our joy and even God’s promises.
So how can we feed our hearts the nutritious kind of spiritual food to enrich our lives with Christ?
3 Ways to be intentional about nurturing your soul and spirit
1) Feed your soul with the word of God
The bible is not only the most beautiful book written but also the most comprehensive of all. Seriously. Every life issue that you deal with is covered in the bible. From issues affecting our community to those affecting us as individuals, the bible has a direction to offer.
Life is complex, and the human soul is relentless in finding answers. Centuries ago, even before we came into existence, God knew we would have questions, and he made it his mission to provide answers.
No matter what season you are in, or how much you are struggling, God has the words that you need to hear. And he has the answers that you seek. The path you choose in life will be determined by how connected you are to God’s word.
It’s not about reading 50 chapters per day. It’s about showing up daily, even when you don’t feel like it, to experience and feed on the eternal and nourishing word of God.
Isaiah 55: 1
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
God’s word is a full storehouse with promises and blessings for all who are willing to search. Its riches are unexplainable and unending for those who are thirsty for God’s word.
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
2) Cut your right hand off if it causes you to sin
I recently started Chicago Med recently, and I love it so far. The plot is interesting, suspenseful, and everything I like in a movie. But that’s not why I brought the topic up. In one episode, a teenage boy is struggling with thoughts of rape. His parents think it’s all in his mind, and his doctors are doing all they can to help him. It’s not enough though.
So one time, when a doctor catches him about to act out his thoughts, the teenager decides things have got to end.
So he cuts off his manhood.
Now, I’m not asking you to do anything drastic as that, but if something or someone is causing you to sin, you have to cut them off. Remember, you are what you eat spiritually.
- Tear the novels that keep leading you to a sexual fantasy roller coaster
- Delete the movies that always result in graphic images
- Block the sites that lead you to pornography or fornication
It’s all about being intentional and unforgiving with issues that cause you to sin. And when you look at the big picture, it’s a small price to pay, for the peace that comes from living a pure and chaste life.
3) Team up with a spiritual accountability partner
In James 5:6, the writer exhorts us to confess our sins and pray for each other, for the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. The best way to be consistent with spiritual nourishment is to have a partner to walk along with. A friend or a spouse may be.
One, it helps to know you are not alone, and two, you can navigate hard times and temptation by praying for each other. In the few years that I’ve had a relationship with Christ, I have come to realize that even the biggest mountains could be overcome with a praying circle of friends to support you.
The devil likes to whisper lies to us, so we can continue feeding our souls with unhealthy things that only drive us away from Christ. But you can reclaim back your position, as the daughter of the most high.
Feed on God’s word always and never cease from praying. And when it’s time for purging things that affect your Christian walk, do it without a hint of hesitation.
What are you feeding your soul now? What things are you purging from your life for a healthier spiritual diet?
Additional resources on being intentional with what you feed your spirit
Sophia Terrelonge has an interesting series on Christian Purity. Among what she discussed is purging your life as a single Christian woman. Here’s the link to the mini-series:
Christian Purity for Singles: Purging Your Life and Space – Sophia C Terrelonge
Ps: Is there any topic you would like me to cover? Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email: Wangui@scripturesandliving.com
