Are You Believing These 5 Food Lies?
Have you ever struggled to stick to your healthy eating plan, only to give up and give in?
Chances are, you’re not the problem—the problem is an undetected script that controls your actions and sets you up for failure again and again.
Before you even reach for the donut, you’ve already subconsciously fought (and perhaps lost) the battle between truth and lies that’s going on in your mind. Scripture tells us that we’re engaged in spiritual warfare (see Ephesians 6:10-18) and that the battle is fought and won in our minds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
The weapons we must use to fight this food fixation are not the weapons of this world—diet fads, miracle foods, or positive thinking—but rather spiritual weapons that have divine power to demolish strongholds, specifically, every thought or argument that contradicts God. Our technique? “We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
What would happen if, instead of trying the same tired methods over and over again, we took up the Sword of God’s Truth and believed Jesus when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
I’ll tell you what will happen: you’ll experience the freedom and fullness you long for but hardly dare hope for. So let’s blow the cover on these common food lies, submit them to the authority of God’s Word, and dare to live the full life Jesus came to give us.
Which one of these will you tackle first?
1. Lie: I can’t let this food go to waste. I feel kind of full, but there are only a few bites left and I don’t want to throw them away. That’s not good stewardship! I’ll just clean up the plate.
Truth: I don’t treat my body as a trashcan. It’s the temple of the Holy Spirit, so I will care for my body as the prized dwelling place of God. (see 1 Corinthians 6:19)
Dare: Instead of eating others’ leftovers while you clear the table or do dishes, think about some creative solutions to practice good stewardship: try serving smaller portions or saving leftovers to eat for lunch the next day.
2. Lie: Just this once won’t hurt. After all, it’s a special occasion! I’m going to indulge just this once, and I promise I’ll do better tomorrow.
Truth: It is for freedom that Christ has set me free. I’m going to stand firm and not get entangled in compromise. (see Galatians 5:1)
Dare: Write the phrase “today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s actions” somewhere you’ll see it every day. We create habits one small bite at a time.
3. Lie: It’s been such a great day! I worked out really hard at the gym and watched what I ate all day. I’m going to have an extra-large dessert. After all, I deserve a treat.
Truth: Breaking boundaries is not a reward. When I choose to celebrate with God and delight in Him, He gives me the peace and freedom my heart desires.” (see Psalm 37:4)
Dare: Learn new ways to celebrate your success that don’t involve food. Consider activities that relax and refresh you, like a getting massage, manicure, bubble bath, or a new book or outfit.
4. Lie: “No one gets to tell me what I can and cannot eat. I’ll eat whatever I want, thank you very much. An extra treat here or there doesn’t matter.”
Truth: What I eat impacts how I feel and how I live. I choose to eat what will make me strong, energetic, and fit for God’s good work. (see Galatians 6:7-8)
Dare: Take care of the body God gave you by getting enough rest, choosing healthy foods, and exercising regularly. You wouldn’t invite a guest to stay in a room full of junk, would you? You’d clean it up and make sure they feel comfortable. So treat your body as the prized living space of our amazing God.
5. Lie: I’ll never overcome food fixation! I’ve tried every diet and program I can think of, and I’m not seeing any progress. This is just too hard! It’s hopeless.”
Truth: I haven’t yet reached my goal, but I’m going to forget what’s in the past and push forward to the victory that lies ahead in Jesus Christ (see Philippians 3:13-14).
Dare: Get accountability. Find a friend who’s on this journey with you and encourage each other when you’re feeling down. Practice telling each other the lies that you’ve believed and send each other helpful Bible verses like these throughout the week to remind yourselves of God’s powerful truth.
Whether you identify with just one or all of the lies above, the good news is that you don’t have to believe them anymore. Lies shrivel up when confronted with God’s Truth. Instead of letting our thoughts run while, let’s arrest them, confront them with God’s Truth, and dare to live in the freedom and fullness found only in Jesus.
Related Resource: Are Diet & Exercise Effective Ways to Avoid Body Image Issues?
In this episode of The Compared To Who? Podcast Heather Creekmore challenges the common belief that changing our bodies is the solution to body image issues. She discusses the harmful impact of diets and exercise on individuals' well-being and tackles the cultural misconception that achieving a certain body size will lead to freedom from body image struggles. Heather emphasizes that people of all sizes experience body image issues and that placing hope in diet and exercise often leads to disappointment and psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical detriment. She warns against diet culture's subtle influence, warping Scripture to manipulate individuals into believing that their worth is determined by their body size and equating weight loss with spiritual success.
Discover more food lies, Scriptural truths, and powerful dares in the new book Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction. You can also join the 7-day Truth & Dare Challenge to get these inspiring truths delivered straight to your inbox.
Asheritah Ciuciu is the author of Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction and a popular blogger and speaker. She grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and studied English and Women's Ministry at Cedarville University in Ohio. Her passion is leading women deeper with Jesus through daily devotions and spiritual disciplines, both in her local church and around the world through digital discipleship. Asheritah is married to Flaviu, her childhood sweetheart, and together they raise their spunky children in northeast Ohio. Connect with her at www.OneThingAlone.com and get a free 6-week eCourse called Quiet Time for Busy Women.
Publication date: February 2, 2017