Holy vs. Common

"You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean..." Leviticus 10:10

When I start to think about 'what can I eat' vs. 'what should I stay away from' I feel that I get bogged down; specifically because the more that I have the thoughts of things in my head, the more I want them. So if I'm thinking of not eating carbs, then the more carbs are in my mind as I'm telling myself to stay away from them and soon the very thing I start craving is the sugar that I'm telling myself not to have. I could drive myself crazy!

As I was reading in Leviticus about the rules for the Israelites, God's chosen people, I realized that there are many things that they couldn't have that I think are 'normal.' Now I know that Jesus gave us a new covenant with his blood that we aren't bound by some of the old laws...He conquered sin and the grave forever! The more I wrestled with the subject of eating, however, the more this verse from Leviticus stuck out in my mind.

You see, we are to distinguish what is 'clean' or proper for us and our bodies. And how do we do that exactly? By reading God's word AND with the help of the Holy Spirit. The whole idea is that we are to be holy for God. While it may be "common" to eat this or that or behave a certain way, God doesn't call us to be just common. He tells us to be holy. In fact, Leviticus 11:44 (and 45, actually) say "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."

So, in your pursuit of eating healthier to look slimmer, don't buy into the world's views of what we're supposed to look like, eat like, or be like. Buy into God's! Ask yourself, does what I'm about to say or do go along with the holiness God is calling me to? If so, by all means, go for it! But, if you feel that check in your spirit from the Holy Spirit letting you know that your next action isn't on the path of holiness, then ask God to help you stay away from it. And believe that He will empower you to do so!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us free choice. Thank You that You guide us in distinguishing between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean. Lord, there are times that we know what is right and yet we still do wrong. Please forgive us! And help us - through the power of your Son Jesus - to get back on the right path toward being holy since You, oh Lord, are holy. And, help us in what we should and shouldn't eat, what we should and shouldn't do and what we should and shouldn't say. Lord, may all of our lives be for Your ultimate glory. We love you, Lord Jesus! In Your name we pray, AMEN!