Victory over eating step one

VICTORY OVER EATING
STEP ONE


Step one: We admitted that we did not have control over our appetites and our fleshly desires and that our lives are unmanageable.


This step states that we are not only powerless over our eating habits, but that left to ourselves, we cannot manage any aspects of our lives. The truth is that no one can manage their own life without God.


The following scriptures will show us that all mankind is unable to control their fleshly desires without yielding to God.


Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
  1. How does this describe your life?
  2. What is it that you do that you don't want to because of your sinful nature?
  3. How do we know when it is our sinful nature in control instead of our need for food?

Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

  1. Is your desire for physical gratification (especially food) getting in the way of your work?
  2. When you think about food is there something else you should be thinking about?
  3. What things about your weight or your eating habits are standing in the way of your accomplishing the things you should?


The most fattening thing in a dish of ice cream is the spoon.

Job 21:14-15 Yet they say to God, "Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?"

  1. How do your fleshly desires stand between you and God?
  2. Why would you think that it us useless to pray to God to control your appetite and your fleshly desires?
  3. Are you serving Him to your fullest or is there something that stands in your way?


Genesis 4:7 "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

  1. What must you do that is right?
  2. Is it a conflict to say that we can't control our desires and then say that we must master it? Why or why not?
  3. What can we do to master sin in our life?


James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

  1. What point have you stumbled over?
  2. How Do we keep from staying in guilt over our failures?


II Coronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strenghthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.

  1. If your heart is fully committed to the Lord, He will strengthen you. Are you fully committed? How does He strengthen you?
  2. What war are you fighting? Will He strenghten you to fight it?


TIP: Use a measuring cup to measure your servings. You may be eating more or less than you think!


Romans 7:5-6 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

  1. What is the fruit of death that we were bearing in our bodies? What are some of the diseases caused by overeating and lack of exercise that are in your family tree? Are you in fear of these diseases? Is it causing bondage in your life?
  2. How do we die to what once bound us?
  3. How do you know if you are out of bondage?
  4. What new way can you serve?


Romans 7:24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord? So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

  1. Even though we are Christians, do we sometimes still feel this way?
  2. Are we ever trying to serve two masters? Is this possible?
  3. Who is the only one who can rescue us? Do you know Him?


TIP Use a small plate to put your food on instead of a dinner plate.


Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

  1. What is the difference between conviction and condemnation?
  2. How do we handle each of them?
  3. Since Jesus set us free, will it do any good to condemn ourself?

Romans 8:9-10 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

  1. How do we let the Spirit control us?
  2. How do we act differently if our body is dead?
  3. Is your spirit in control of your body or vice versa?

I John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

  1. We know that overeating is sin, but if we eat when we are not hungry, is it sin?
  2. When you were growing up, what attitudes about food were you taught? Was food offered as a reward for doing right? Was food withheld as punishment (ie sent to bed without your supper, denied dessert for not doing something-even cleaning your plate) Have you passed these same attitudes down to your children, if so repent and accept forgiveness.
  3. Is there any excuse that we can make to God for not eating right?
  4. What place does God's word have in your life?


TIP Drink 8 8 oz glasses of water a day PLUS 1 8 oz glass for every 20 lbs. you need to lose.


I Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

  1. Do we sometimes think that this is our own body and that we are only hurting ourselves if we don't treat it correctly?
  2. How did you honor God with your body THIS day?

Why is water essential to us? About 70% of our body is water. It is essential for all body functions. It flushes out the waste products. If we drink a glass before a meal, it will help us to have a full sensation earlier and we won't eat as much. It takes 20 minutes from the time our stomach is full for our brain to recieve the message, so eat slow, eat what you need, then wait to see if you really need that next bite!

1