Are you going to eat that?

For me, practicing self-control with food is a lot harder when the food is right in front of me. Sure I may have the ingredients for cookies scattered throughout my pantry, but avoiding the food processor is a lot easier than turning up my nose to a Danish sample at the grocery store. It’s a lot harder to pass up something that’s sitting right in front of me.

I find that same principle applies to spiritual “food.” It’s tempting to take something in, just because it’s offered to me. Dish of guilt? Dinner is served. A wayward thought? Better chew on that for a moment.

But I don’t have to. Just because something is placed in front of me, physically or spiritually, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to eat it.

In Psalm 23, David says that the Lord prepares a feast for him “in the presence of [his] enemies.” And just as it’s okay to have a discerning palate for food, it’s okay to ask questions about the spiritual fare you’re being offered.

Is the Lord preparing a feast for you in the presence of your enemies? Or is the enemy trying to prepare a feast for you in the presence of your Lord?