"And Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke 4:4
Genesis 25:29-34: "And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright."
Food can be very powerful. Adam and Eve lost their life of bliss, peace and abundance, glory and honor to food. It is rather unfortunate that many people today are still losing their great destiny to food. It is amazing that in spite of the abundant food provided by God for Adam and Eve, they still developed an appetite for that which was forbidden.
It is quite easy to look at them now and judge them, but when you look at the world today and see how food is wrecking the lives of many, you will be shocked. To fast is the most difficult thing for some people because their belly has become their master, and even in some cases, their god (Philippians 3:19). When you read the account of how food destroyed Esau’s destiny and consider that the devil also tried to use food to destroy the destiny of our Lord, you will realize that addiction to food can actually devastate a person’s life.
In Genesis 25:29-34, poor Esau had just returned from his hunting expedition with juicy bushmeat. However, instead of settling down to prepare a meal with it, he lusted after Jacob’s pottage, which was ready to eat. Unknown to him, Jacob had been eyeing his privilege as the firstborn. It did not take Jacob mush time to start bargaining with Esau for what he had always desired from birth.
While Esau lusted for food, Jacob lusted for the birthright of the firstborn. Within a few minutes, they struck a bargain: Esau got the food he desired and Jacob went away with the privilege of the firstborn. By the time Esau realized the value of the birthright he sold for food, it was too late (Hebrews 12:16-17).
It may sound unbelievable, but many ladies have sold their pride of virginity for food. Many housewives have become unfaithful to their husbands because of the generosity of a man who comes to their aid when there is no food at home.
A good number of men are now polygamous because they could not control their appetite for delicious meals of strange women.
Beloved, here’s the good news: although the first Adam fell for food, the second Adam triumphed over the temptation of food brought by the same tempter (Luke 4:3-4). As seen from Christ’s example, the only way to avoid falling into the devil’s temptation is to heed the word of God. if you will overcome the devil in the area of food, the end can never justify the means for you.
A stone that is turned into bread will never digest if you happen to eat it; it is just a lie designed by the devil to steal from you. So please, don’t eat your destiny. Rather, be guided by the word of God.
A job you get by sleeping with the personnel manager will not last; it will only bring sorrow and great disappointment to your life. Be wise today.
May God Bless you in Jesus Name.
Pastor Sunday Abel Oyewale