Temptation and chocolate team up against me every February. It’s dangerous to have sweets around my house because I hold this philosophy that sometimes you just have to eat all the chocolates at once to free yourself from the temptation.
I just ate the last piece of cake. Thankfully, I only saved three pieces and gave the rest to my college son going back to school. But still. I ate. All. Three. Pieces. Or was it four?
The Godiva chocolates sitting on my desk will not be around very long either. I’m going to put them out of their misery soon. They just sit there tempting me until I am no longer tempted. That usually takes about three of those decadent “melt-in-your-mouth” confections to push me into the “no more!” end-zone.
Sometimes I wonder why my husband buys candy for me. He wants me to be healthy and skinny, so why does he buy a gift that dooms me to weight gain and pimples?
What Tempts You?
What tempts you? Are you always disgusted with yourself after you’ve splurged?
Why do we do this?
We’re in good company. Paul fought the same struggle–his may not have been linked to a sweet tooth, but the heart struggle was the same.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. . . . I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. . . . So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin and death at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! (Romans 7:15,18,21-24)
The words “sinful nature” were translated from the Greek word Sarx. This word literally means “flesh of a living creature as opposed to a dead one.” Our Sarx, though alive, is accompanied by a dead stench because this word also refers to “the corrupt nature of men.” (Key Word NIV, 1671)
We’re born with it.
The Very First Temptation
As I’ve pondered the fight against eating bad foods, I’ve been reminded that Eve’s temptation involved eating something too.
Who ever thought a piece of fruit would get you in trouble? 
But the truth is: the problem isn’t the chocolate or the apple. It’s the mind and the heart.
The Purpose of the Law
Even though we may know healthy rules, the knowledge doesn’t always help. The rules can’t change our cravings. In the same way, Paul explained that the purpose of the Law was to identify the sinful nature, but it could never change hearts. It was needed to help His people live well, but its purpose was never salvation.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. . . . Those who live according to the sinful nature (sarx) have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. . . ” (Romans 8: 1, 5-8 additions mine).
The solution to my bad habit could be to throw away the chocolates, but that would be wasteful and perhaps hurtful to my honey. (I’m sure after reading this post, he will not buy me chocolates for Valentine’s Day again.) But rather than throwing away the blessing, I’m choosing to make it one.
Instead of fighting the temptation, I will focus my mind on the Spirit rather than the chocolate by thanking God for the husband who bought the treats. I will thank God for the amazing delicacies He created in this world like sweet things that melt in your mouth. I have a feeling the temptation to eat the whole box will weaken.
Instead of beating myself up, which seems to fuel the temptation rather than snuff it, I’m going to spend those moments of temptation thanking God for His Holy Spirit in me and my salvation. I’m going to put my thoughts on things above and enjoy the peace and hope those thoughts bring.
I’m choosing to live in grace. I’ll let you know how this helps with my temptations to eat unhealthy things.
What about you? Will you join me in this quest to live in grace, and thankfulness, and focus your mind on heavenly things when your SARX raises its ugly head? Leave a comment so I can be praying for you.
A great website to help with body-image and eating struggles: Compared to Who?
Related article of God’s Love: Have You Not Heard?
You did your college son a favor by not giving him all of the pieces of chocolate cake. Think of it as a mother’s kindness.
Most sweets don’t tempt me that much, but chocolate? Definitely! I put it out of its misery as fast as possible. Love the introduction, Andy.
Chocolate is my weakness too. thanks for reframing the struggle.
Oh Andy!!!! I have the same struggle and go through that same circle of – temptation — eating it – then beating myself !!!
I should be beating that SARX instead!
What a good strategy to give thanks for the hubby and the treats given with love!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!
Lori