The Harm of Malnutrition

We know that not eating has a devastating effect on the human body.  If the proper diet is not implemented and maintained in adequate proportions, the body will turn on itself and begin to feed upon important organs that sustain life.

The physical body can begin to shut down do to the absence of food.  Unless food is ingested in a timely manner, starvation will cause the body to decline in health and strength.  Depriving oneself of sustaining nourishment through the practice of anorexia, or the purging of food is encouraging the shroud of death to lurk at the front door of one’s physical wellbeing.   Slowly but surely the shroud of blackness pulls itself over a healthy body, making it vulnerable not only to disease, but possible death as well.

Some individuals prefer drugs and alcohol over a well balanced meal.  The addiction they pose has them so bound in deception, that they destroy their body rather than give up their vices.  They live and breathe for that next drink, or drug induced high.  Many times these shackled people realize too late that irreversible damage has been done to the different organs in their body.  The enjoyments of the highs are short lived.  Payment comes due much sooner than later, because of a reckless life style.

The body will last for a short time and then reality of the inevitable occurs.  Though complications may not be immediate within the first few days, months, or even years, the end result reveals itself in due time.  It’s sad when a friend or loved one abuses their body such that death knocks at their door and claims their life prematurely.  They had so much to offer, yet they chose to disobey God’s rules.

(1 Corinthians 3:17), “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20), “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”  vs.20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

A person can stop eating and feel fine for the first few days of fasting, but may not realize the level of malnutrition that is looming over them for a prolonged fast.  All the while as each day passes, the body becomes weaker and weaker to the point that the natural ability to survive ceases to function.  It becomes insensitive and numb, while survival mode begins to shut down.  Unless intervention takes place and medical assistance is provided, this person may starve themselves to death.

We know that food is a necessity to the survival of the human body.  It is just as important to feed the inner spiritual person with the right kind of spiritual food.  When the spirit is fed the wrong food, mixed with carelessness and a lack of concern for the health of one’s spirit, the spirit begins to fade in strength and grows weaker with each passing day.

The spirit begins to feel estranged with wholesome moral fiber.  The broken and battered feelings that exist are caused by an unhealthy regiment of a sinful diet of pleasure and disobedience to God’s rules and regulations.  The exercising of self-will, coupled with bad choices has its drawbacks when choosing sin over God.  The despair that comes, because of reckless living, feeds the spirit harmfully with momentary pleasure.  It is possible that this diet of detrimental bliss will bring spiritual death as it victimizes another soul.

A person does not fall from grace overnight.  It is a slow and deliberate process of ignoring the warning signs that God reveals over a period of time.  A person can choose to see these signs and do something positive, or continue down the path of unrighteousness and suffer the consequences in the end.  Meanwhile, they turn on those around them that are trying to sustain family ties and loving relationships, just like the body turns on itself.

An individual may even feel that all is well as they justify and make excuses for their actions, but surely as the sun rises each morning, death may lay hold of their soul one day if a change in diet is not put into practice.  Eating a wholesome meal of righteousness heals the spirit and brings life.

(Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reading the Bible, prayer, daily devotions, and enjoying Christian fellowship are sustaining, life changing meals that feed the soul.  An act of kindness in the name of Jesus is also refreshing nourishment that brings life to one’s spirit.

(Luke 6:38), “Give and it will be given to you:  good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

It is just as important to feed our soul with a healthy and wholesome diet as it is to feed our physical body with the right kind of food.  We need a strong body and healthy spirit to enjoy life at its fullest.

Written by,

Papa Boyd