Page 1 - Our Food: The Word of God - February 2018 - Truth & Tidings
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ach of us needs food to survive. By on what can only be described as junk food?
eating a balanced diet, the body ob- I cannot expect to be a strong believer, fit for
tains the nourishment it requires in the Master’s use, if I am starving myself of
order to function normally. When it spiritual food.
Eis starved of food, organs will start to In the Scriptures, the subject of food and
shut down until finally, it succumbs to death. feeding is a large one which cannot possibly
It is commonly said that, “You are what you be dealt with comprehensively within the
eat,” and there is a very direct relationship to confines of this article. We will devote the
what we are and what we feed upon. space here to considering the Word of God as
Spiritual food is as vital to our spiritual that which is our spiritual food.
welfare as physical food is to the health of our
physical bodies. Just as people who eat a DESCRIPTION AS FOOD
wholesome diet enjoy better wellbeing, it is The Word of God is described as, or com-
crucial to feed on the Word of God in order pared to, food in a fourfold way. It is likened
to “be strong in the Lord” (Eph 6:10, KJV). to:
Similarly, as poor physical nutrition increases Milk to SUCCOUR: (1Peter 2:2, KJV)
susceptibility to disease, impairs develop- “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of
ment and reduces productivity, so feeding the word, that ye may grow thereby.” It is
my soul on junk food results in weakness, important to remember that the milk men-
stunted growth, and spiritual poverty. In the tioned in this verse is not by way of contrast
words of C.H. Spurgeon: “Scripture reading to meat as in 1 Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews
is our spiritual meal-time.” God has given us 5:12-14 (see below), but “the sincere milk of
a rich resource in His Word which we must the Word” is the spiritual food of all believ-
use to feed our souls for our spiritual health ers.
and vitality. Paul, writing to Timothy, says, Meat to STRENGTHEN: (Hebrews
“Hold fast the form of sound (health-giving”) 5:12, KJV) “For when for the time ye ought
words (2Tim 1:13, KJV). to be teachers, ye have need that one teach
Are you feeding on the Word of God? you again which be the first principles of the
Have you fed on it today? Or are you feeding oracles of God; and are become such as have