Beware Christian Junk Food
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I love junk food—McDonald's french fries, Auntie Anne's pretzels, and almost any kind of pizza! If I'm not careful, though, I will gain unwanted pounds while getting zero nutrition.
Many Christians seem to eat spiritually the way I am tempted to eat physically. They fill up on "junk food"—Christian books, CDs, TV programs, seminars, and all sorts of church activities—none of these are bad, really, but they lead to a sickly spiritual state if consumed apart from the true Bread of Life. We need the real nutritional "food" that will be served one day at the Wedding Supper referred to in Revelation 19:9, food that we can partake of right now as we dig into God's Living Word.
For the past 17 years, as I have crisscrossed America, speaking at various conferences and churches, I have become convinced of one thing: the average church member is desperately hungry for God's Word. While we read books about it and hear sermons based on it, we are sadly devoid of it in our daily lives. When life begins to unravel, we don't know how to access its power and truth in a relevant way. As a result, thousands of us have spirits that are shriveling.
Several years ago a good friend of mine visited what had been a poverty-stricken country in Africa. As she flew in, she looked down on miles of African veldt covered by what looked like long, green waves of grass. She asked her hosts about the lush vegetation. With obvious joy, they explained that the crop she had seen was a newly discovered plant called "naroo" that adapted easily to the climate and soil. Within a few short years, they expected naroo to be the main staple of their diets.
But when my friend revisited that country a few years later, she was shocked to see miles of dry, barren land. She asked what had happened. Sadly, her hosts told her how the naroo had indeed become the main food of the local people, but they discovered it had no nutritional value. As a result, hundreds of people had starved to death—with their stomachs full!
Those African people could symbolize the spirituality of many church members in America today. We have made the main staples of our spiritual diets things that offer little nutritional value—political agendas, Christian entertainment, and marketing strategies for the local church.
While you and I can certainly enjoy an occasional helping of "junk food," our primary source of sustenance must be prayer and the Word of God. Take a moment right now to examine your spiritual diet. What changes do you need to make in order to eat right?
Anne Graham Lotz is founder and president of AnGeL Ministries, www.angelministries.org.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine.
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Originally published in: Today's Christian, 2005, May/June, Page 15
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Ingrid
Thank you for this article. It has re-affirmed the journey I am on, to feed my Spirit with the Word of God. I am sadly lacking in this type of food.
Josie
Excellent article. It's easy to see that Christian "junk food" is popular for the same reasons that normal junk food is popular - it's convenient and it fills you for a short time, but never satisfies long term.
Dr. Kermit P. Soileau
The really sad thing is that most Christians "say" they want genuine Bible study, but haven't the stamina to stay with genuinely deep biblical teaching. Often, all they want is enough to get them by the moment of difficulty; too often without really getting to the meat of the matter. Clergy, in response, usually are frustrated and eventually give in to the cliche' solutions. If a minister provides genuine Bible teaching, often it goes unappreciated by an audience which is accustomed to "instant" provisions more akin to the electronic age in which we live. There are many who claim to desire deep teaching, but few who have the discipline to receive it. I have never, however, felt that the Lord wanted me to flinch on His directions to me to teach the Word...so I toil on..."rightly divide(ing) the word of God." Thank you to those who are asking for good Bible teaching; the Lord is only too happy to fill their cups.
ChurchSalt
It seems to me that the vast majority of preachers in these modern times are too concerned with making people comfortable (so they continue to attend Church), rather than boldly proclaiming what Scripture says. Couldn't this also be referred to as "scratching itchy ears"?? It is no wonder spiritual malnutrition (and lost religious people) is so common!
Francis E. Jeffery =The Rev. Dr.
A very excellent article as expected. The focal point is the uncomfortable fact that the majority of the clergy are NOT taught how to teach, whether it be in a sermon, Bible classes, item specifics or seminar efforts. The people read the "Junk Food" because they are not being fed by their clergy and staff. The congregant is presented well programed items on TV and radio. Here is where homework is being done by the speaker and staff