CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, NASB)

Devotion 4 of 24

WHEN APPETITES BECOME GOD

" . . . they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil 3:19)

What an arresting phrase! "Whose god is their belly!" The Spirit spoke of the same disgrace to the Romans. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly" (Rom 16:17-18). The NASB translates the word phrase, "whose God is their appetite." The NIV says, "their god is their stomach." For your interest, various meanings are provided by well known study aids. " . . . part is put for the whole, or vice versa), it is used to denote gluttons" (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). " . . . the seat of appetite and of the carnal affections" (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). " . . . the seat of the carnal affections, as being, according to their view, that which first partakes of sensual pleasures" (from New Unger's Bible Dictionary). " . . . the seat of one's physical appetites, sensual pleasures, and worldly satisfactions" (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

The Greek word used here is found ten times in the New Testament writings. Jesus said Jonah was in the "belly" of the whale for three days and three nights (Matt 12:40). John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's "womb" (Lk 1:41,44). Our Savior was named "Jesus" by the angel of God before He was "conceived in the womb" (Lk 2:21). A "certain woman" cried out that the "womb" that bore Jesus was blessed (Lk 11:27). Divisive and offensive teachers are said to serve their "belly" (Rom 16:18). The Corinthians were told that meat is "for the belly" (1 Cor 6:13). Our text speaks of those whose "god is their belly" (Phil 3:19). In a remarkably sensitive text, John the Revelator tells us of eating a book that was sweet in his mouth, but "bitter" in his "belly" (Rev 10:10).

The Holy Spirit would certainly not make a good earthly linguist! Words employed by the Holy Spirit cannot always be defined lexically. Like other key words in Scripture, this one is "spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). One must possess a sense of the Kingdom to understand the Word of the Lord.

The phrase "whose god is their belly" speaks of those governed by natural appetites-- who cannot rise above Adam. Those appetites range from gluttony to fornication and covetousness. They are confined to "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). The satisfaction of these appetites is confined to life in the body. They do not satiate the soul, reach the human spirit, or produce contentment. Indulgence in such things produce pleasures only "for a season" (Heb 1:25). These are people who live for themselves in THIS world. They are NOT dominated by hope, and cannot dwell upon things "unseen" (2 Cor 4:16-18).

In Summary

Allow me to further delineate this most intriguing phrase, "whose god is their belly." I believe you will find this condition to be far more prevalent in the religious community than first appears.

The Sensualist

The "belly" is the god of the sensualist. Such are "lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God" (2 Tim 3:4). These have no genuine interest in the Lord Jesus, the proclamation of the Gospel, or the reclamation of enslaved souls. Theirs is a self-centered religion that cannot rejoice in anything failing to bring personal advantage and gratification in the flesh, or their lower nature.

Ritualistic Religion

The "belly" may also be said to be the god of those emphasizing the observance of meats and drinks, or empty ritualism and ceremony. This emphasis did not profit those that under the Law, and it will certainly bring no eternal benefit to those in Christ (Heb 9:10). The "kingdom of God," it must be remembered, "is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17).

Why Are They Enemies?

Why are such individuals "enemies of the cross of Christ?" The answer is obvious to the spiritual mind. "He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (2 Cor 5:15). To live under the domination of temporal appetites is to contradict the very reason for which Jesus died. It is not a neutral position! God considers such people "enemies" of the means of salvation.

The remarkable thing about this passage is the commonness of earthly-minded leaders in the "church" arena. Such individuals contradict their profession, are aligned against Deity, and are obstacles to those desiring to go to heaven! I realize there is a growing tolerance of such people in many congregations--but it is still intolerable in heaven, and must be here.

Living by faith requires a heavenly emphasis. The destiny to which we have been appointed must be held before the believer. If hope does not flourish, the individual cannot survive the onslaughts of the wicked one.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know the flesh must be subdued, or else I become Your enemy. I do not want to be Your enemy! In Jesus' name, I ask for grace to subdue my flesh, and culture my spirit with truth.

-- Tomorrow: THE DESTINY OF SENSUAL RELIGIOUS PEOPLE --