@Bill-M said in How Do I Know the Difference Between Hunger and Cravings?:
Just thinking more on this: Need to define our terms
The world uses terms of hunger and cravings - physical and mental - the videos from the "experts" are helpful in making a distinction. And I can see the differences between the two. But they do not give any real strategy to deal with the cravings.
The Bible uses terms of hunger and lusts - physical and spiritual/mental - this is also helpful in that we can understand that there is a real difference between being hungry (like Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days - Luke 4:2) and the lusting for foods (like Proverbs 23:2-3).
"And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food." Proverbs 23:2-3 (NKJV)
As we apply the Gospel, we find real solutions for those "lusts" that have been crucified with Christ.
"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25 (NKJV)
Then by faith, we put on the Lord Jesus, coming to the Cross and walk away from those lusts.
"Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:13-14 (NKJV)
This was very well said, Bill.
The world only knows physical and mental/emotional. They lack understanding of the spiritual (sinful lusts) and therefore cannot see the cross of Christ as the solution. Consequently they are only able to recommend distractions, thinking other thoughts, connecting with other people, etc. which are not life changing or transformative, but temporary bandaids on a deep wound that only Christ can heal.
As we read in 1 Peter 2, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Christ suffered so that we might be healed.
The solution is not just in thinking other thoughts or distracting ourselves from the cravings of our flesh. If it were that easy then Jesus didn't need to die. But Jesus did die and rise again to heal us. His body was broken for us and His blood was poured out for us. He feeds us with Himself so that we can turn from our temporary cravings and instead enjoy eternal delights.
Thank you for posting this wise instruction.
