“Their god is their stomach” is a direct quote from Philippians 3:19. The full verse states: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
This is a quote from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. He is talking about people who do not love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. He is talking about people who are having a love affair with the world, and not with Jesus.
To make the context clearer, the following verses are from Philippians 3:17-21:
17 “Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. [Paul is making a vital point for those who love Jesus – be careful who you follow.]
18 For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [This is true today. Any person who does not love Jesus as their Lord and Savior is His enemy, and an enemy to any believer.]
19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, [Paul’s point is that they live for whatever satisfies their cravings – food, sex, money, etc.] and their glory is in their shame [Whatever they find pride in, when it isn’t in Jesus, will ultimately result in their demise.]. Their minds are set on earthly things [This sums up the problem – they are not focused on what matters for eternity, and for God’s kingdom.].
20 But our citizenship is in heaven [The difference between those who love Jesus, and those who don’t. Those who love Jesus consider their heavenly citizenship, and live honoring that privileged position, a gift from God when a person is born again.], and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ [The believer’s hope is in Christ and His return, unlike unbelievers who live to satisfy their earthly desires.],
21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body [The amazing benefit to come for all who commit to Jesus, and whose lives reveal that truth, being influencers for His eternal kingdom, instead of garnering favor from the things of this life.].
Those who truly love Jesus are not living each day to satisfy the perishable things of this world, but are living to proclaim glory and honor to the imperishable, majestic Creator – God Almighty!
Romans 1:18-32 makes the distinction between those who love the Lord and those who are His enemies. As you read the following verses, please don’t rush, but allow God to guide you as you consider the truths presented here:
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.
31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
As I read and contemplate these verses, I am grateful for my salvation – truly a gift from God. If God had not reached into my heart and mind and redirected me toward Himself, I would be senseless, faithless, heartless, and merciless.
But God! I’m very grateful that He changed my appetite, and continues to redirect me toward what matters for Him and His kingdom.
Additionally, when I read the above verses, and consider the eternal destiny of those who so far have rejected Jesus, it makes me want to live so intimately with Jesus that people will want that same intimacy with Him.
I’m challenged to care more about the eternal needs of others, than even my own needs.
I’m challenged to not have a love affair with the things of this world.
I’m challenged to let go of more of the nonsense of this earthly existence, and be certain my priorities are in alignment with God’s plan for my life.
I’m challenged to use all my resources – lent to me by God – for His Kingdom’s purposes.
I’m challenged to build relationships that exalt God’s Holy Name.
I’m challenged to love those who are senseless, faithless, heartless, and merciless…because God loves me!
I’d like to talk with you about your relationship with Jesus! Please contact me at the email below.
Living for Jesus, Donna
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Copyright 2022 Donna Shappy
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