When we feed our minds on food thoughts, studying diet books to learn all about food, macros, always thinking about the different colors and varieties of food, the aesthetically pleasing aspect of food, etc., we feed on ashes. Feeding on food thoughts starves our souls as it is a distraction from Christ, and we end up with deluded hearts, holding lies in our hands, oblivious to our situation.
Isaiah 44:20 tells us that if we feed on ashes, we will eventually get to the place where we believe lies but do not know it. And this is the whole problem with bondage to food: we believe lies and don’t know it. “He cannot say, ‘Is there not a lie in my right hand?’“
To get free, we must examine everything we believe in light of God’s Word. Ask yourself today, “What do I believe that has come from the world, rather than from God’s Word?”
Here are a few lies the evil one can put as thought-strongholds in our minds as we “feed on ashes”:
“I have had this sin for as far back as I can remember; it is just the way I'm made. I can never change.” The Truth counteracts this lie: “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17) and “that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
“I get triggered. I’m powerless against temptation; when a food image hits my mind, I have to obey its call.” The Truth counteracts this lie: “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:6-7). The Christian is never "triggered," only "tempted" (1 Corinthians 10:13), and has been set free from the Law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
“The gospel might work for others, but my situation is different. My problem is worse; my sin is deeper; my chains are tighter.” The Truth counteracts this lie: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (9) Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Yes, all believers deal with “the same kind of sufferings” and the cure, according to Scripture, is always the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Question 3. Please share any lies you have believed and state the truth according to the gospel that dispels the lie?
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Wende's answer to the above shows she is taking this exercise seriously:
"Lie: My sin is deeply ingrained in my being and too powerful to change. As much as I don't like it, this is who I am.
Truth: "I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me; my life is hidden with Christ in God; I in Him and Him in me, I have been bought, Jesus paid the ultimate price for me.""
We must understand that the devil takes us captive, puts us in bondage, keeps us slaves through lies. Remember truth=freedom (“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”--John 8:32) and lies=bondage. So if you find yourself in bondage to sin, ask God for a heart that is willing to examine everything you believe in light of what God’s Word says and to reject beliefs that have come from man rather than God.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV.
Question 4. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV, what can believers do to our thought-strongholds and imaginations?