Have you ever tried to really knuckle down on eating healthy and exercising? Many of us have and have undoubtedly discovered its as a temporary solution to an ongoing struggle. The primary reason we fail to find success is that many of us have not put Godliness at the forefront of our endeavors. A proper diet and regular exercise are an important factor in the life of the believer, but only insofar as they are driving by honoring and glorifying God.

1. The people followed for food rather than faith
2. They failed to see Jesus as satisfying
3. Their attention was on the flesh rather than the Spirit

Conclusion:
Seek godliness in dieting and exercise

Application Questions:

• Am I doing this for “my” body or for “God’s” temple?
• Am I obeying the desires of my flesh or God’s Spirit?
• Am I starting each day by choosing to pursue faith?
• Am I offering my body to God or to my appetites?
• Am I engendering habits of godliness or carnality?

Philippians 3:19

…many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

John 6:34-36

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

John 6:63

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

Matthew 6:31-33

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Daniel 1:8-16

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way…
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.