Anorexia and bulimia are not organic diseases. They are learned behaviors which can be unlearned by the grace of God. Learning what it means to repent and "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" is the key to overcoming this spiritual and physical bondage.
Everyone must take care his own burden--bodySelf-care, internal organs, eart...franktsao4
This section will discuss
1) Bible verses about the body, and
2) How to self-care when you are sick, how to eat the right food back in terms of diet, how to adjust your daily life when you are unwell, and
3) Use different foods to help the body return to normal conditions, and also mentioned that when God created the earth,
4) The influence of the earth's magnetic field on the internal organs
Everyone must take care his own burden--bodySelf-care, internal organs, eart...franktsao4
This section will discuss
1) Bible verses about the body, and
2) How to self-care when you are sick, how to eat the right food back in terms of diet, how to adjust your daily life when you are unwell, and
3) Use different foods to help the body return to normal conditions, and also mentioned that when God created the earth,
4) The influence of the earth's magnetic field on the internal organs
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth and Family Ministry semnsynod
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry
by Dr. Terri Elton, Associate Professor of Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry & Director of the Center for CYF Ministry, Luther Seminary, Luther Seminary
Church Leaders and Congregations are key assets and partners with families in the faith journey in the 21st Century. Using the Exemplar Youth Ministry (EYM) Study as an element for this discussion, explore how the EYM study identified the value and role of church leaders and the congregation when designing and implementing ministry for children, youth, and families. Explore the EYM assets which support a robust ministry for families of all ages and type.
From the 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA's Councils as Leaders event.
God is calling the YOUTH to such a time as this to stand for the right and preserve principle. To come forth from this world with our morals untainted. #DareToStandLikeDANIEL Be encouraged brethren, friends and viewers
Paul has explained the wonders of God's grace to those that believe in his Jesus in Romans 1-11. Now, because of the wonderful mercies God has shown us, Paul encourages us our of an appreciation for God's mercy to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness for God. We should not be conformed to this world, but our minds should be transformed in conformity to God's will. Download this and other PowerPoints on Romans at bibleguy.org
Most people learn The Gospel According to You before they
ever pick up a bible and read the Gospels According to Matthew, Mark,
Luke, or John. This message takes a look at the Gospel According to
William Wilberforce, and what we can learn from the way he lived his life
The essentials of comprehensive eating disorder treatment presented by Katie Thompson & Erin McGinty. Katie and Erin presented on the goals and objectives when developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth and Family Ministry semnsynod
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry
by Dr. Terri Elton, Associate Professor of Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry & Director of the Center for CYF Ministry, Luther Seminary, Luther Seminary
Church Leaders and Congregations are key assets and partners with families in the faith journey in the 21st Century. Using the Exemplar Youth Ministry (EYM) Study as an element for this discussion, explore how the EYM study identified the value and role of church leaders and the congregation when designing and implementing ministry for children, youth, and families. Explore the EYM assets which support a robust ministry for families of all ages and type.
From the 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA's Councils as Leaders event.
God is calling the YOUTH to such a time as this to stand for the right and preserve principle. To come forth from this world with our morals untainted. #DareToStandLikeDANIEL Be encouraged brethren, friends and viewers
Paul has explained the wonders of God's grace to those that believe in his Jesus in Romans 1-11. Now, because of the wonderful mercies God has shown us, Paul encourages us our of an appreciation for God's mercy to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness for God. We should not be conformed to this world, but our minds should be transformed in conformity to God's will. Download this and other PowerPoints on Romans at bibleguy.org
Most people learn The Gospel According to You before they
ever pick up a bible and read the Gospels According to Matthew, Mark,
Luke, or John. This message takes a look at the Gospel According to
William Wilberforce, and what we can learn from the way he lived his life
The essentials of comprehensive eating disorder treatment presented by Katie Thompson & Erin McGinty. Katie and Erin presented on the goals and objectives when developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org
This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org
We often focus on addiction in terms of substances, but behavior problems can be just as powerful, and dangerous. In this context, religious addiction is looked at within the broader context of spiritually abusive structures.
Temperance is the abstinence from all things which are harmful and the moderate use of things that are beneficial. Temperance is considered one of the ten laws of health. Applying the principles of temperance provides healing for the soul.
Hollow - Recovering from Eating Disorderspyromarketing
Teach the dangers of eating disorders by sharing this presentation with young girls at local churches and schools. Based on the book Hollow: An Unpolished Tale by Jena Morrow, it includes slides and a complete presentation script. www.hollowthebook.ning.com
Christians and The Internet: Being Aware; Being Equipped; and Being Good Witn...Marie Notcheva
I will be presenting this 2-part workshop at the 2016 MassHOPE Convention at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA on April 30, 2016. The presentation's content is the same as previous version, but has been aesthetically re-designed by the inimitable Juxhin Alia.
In this presentation, you will learn how to keep your kids safer online; how to educate yourself on doctrinal issues; and how to communicate online in a way that glorifies Christ.
"Addictions" are life-dominating sins, which can be overcome with hard work, faith, repentance, and accountability. Learn how to recognize heart idols and break their hold on you.
Understanding how to read Scripture is an exciting and crucial way to grow as a Christian, grow in discernment, and rightly divide the Word of God. In this workshop, you will learn how to extract the intended meaning out of a passage without reading your own meaning into it. You will also learn what the Literal, Historical, Grammatical, Synthetic and Practical Principles are and how to use them to correctly interpret Scripture.
Christians and the Internet - Being Aware; Being Equipped; and Being Good Wit...Marie Notcheva
In this presentation, you will learn about Internet security and privacy issues, how to keep yourself and children safer online, and how social media is changing the way we act and relate to one another. You will also discover new opportunities for outreach; sharing your testimony; and equipping yourself with resources to grow spiritually as you engage with others online.
Hermeneutics is the science of biblical interpretation. Understanding how to read Scripture is an exciting and crucial way to grow as a Christian, grow in discernment, and rightly divide the Word of God. In this workshop, you will learn how to extract the intended meaning out of a passage without reading your own meaning into it. You will also learn what the Literal, Historical, Grammatical, Synthetic and Practical Principles are and how to use them to correctly interpret Scripture.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
2. What Are Eating Disorders?
Anorexia Nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa is characterized
by an unrealistic fear of weight
gain, self-starvation, and
conspicuous distortion of body
image. The individual is obsessed
with becoming increasingly
thinner and limits food intake to
the point where health is
compromised. The name comes
from two Latin words that mean
nervous inability to eat. Typically
clinical diagnosis is made when
individual has lost 15% of total
body weight.
Bulimia Nervosa
• Bulimia is an eating disorder in
which a person binges (eats a
very large amount of food
within a short period of time)
and purges (rids themselves of
the food, usually by
vomiting). The abuse of diet
pills and laxatives is also
common with bulimia. In
addition, bulimic people may
exercise obsessively.
3. Eating Disorders:
Pervasive and Cross-Cultural
• Statistics hard to come by; anorexia and bulimia extremely
common in Eastern Europe
•Studies of eating attitudes indicate abnormal eating attitudes in
non-Western countries have been gradually increasing.
•EDs are not only isolated to North Americans and Europeans,
treatment centers serve a full-range of cultures including people
from Iran, Korea, Turkey, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and
Africa. (Source: Planet-therapy.com)
• In her 1997 L.A. Times Article titled "Women's Eating Disorders Go
Global", Sonni Efron discusses the rise in eating disorder cases in
North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Tapei, Shanghai, Beijing,
Philippines, India and Pakistan. In Hong Kong, she writes, "20 to 30
types of diet pills are in common use, including variations on the
"fen-phen" combination of fenfluramine and phentermine that was
banned in the United States
4. Why are Eating Disorders so
Prevalent?
Is it because of….
• Media?
• Abundance and (relative) affordability of
food?
• Low “self-esteem”?
• Genetics?
• Women are “political prisoners”?
5. Human Nature: “for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
• Eating disorders are NOT diseases. They are life-
dominating sins.
• Definition of disease: A pathological condition of
a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting
from various causes, such as infection, genetic
defect, or environment.
• Definition of sin: Disobedience (in word, thought
or deed) to the will of God. 2. Something
regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or
wrong.
6. Root of Eating Disorders =
Deadly Vice of Pride
• Fear of man/insecurity (Galatians 1:10)
• Vanity
• Idolatry (Matthew 6:21b)
• Seeking control of and/or independence from others
• Lack of self-control/gluttony (Matt. 11:19; Titus 1:12)
• Perfectionism
• Lack of prayer life/undisciplined thought life
• Jealousy/envy; anger; hypersensitive to correction;
unforgiveness
7. Progression of Idolatry
Sinful thoughts Sinful Actions Sinful Habits
Life-dominating sins
“An idol is anyone or anything into which we invest an imbalance of time,
energy, and resources. It is a longing, craving, desiring, wanting, must-have,
only-happy-when, and want-so-badly-I-am-willing-to-disobey-God.”
Dr. Rick Thomas, (Mt. Carmel Ministries).
8. An Eating Disorder = Worship Disorder
• The heart of anorexia and bulimia is idolatry.
• If comfort and thinness are treasures, heart is drawn to self
(Matt. 6:21). FALSE SAVIOR
• If Christ is treasure, heart is focused on HIM.
• To turn her heart from her sin, she must turn her heart to
Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).
9. "What if exercise & discipline in eating isn't as
much about physical health as about honoring
the God who made us?“ – Nancy Leigh DeMoss
10. Progression of Repentance
• Recognize ED as sin – “lust of the flesh” (Eph.
2:3; 1 Pet. 4:2; 1 John 2:16)
• Accept one’s own responsibility (Stop blaming
others)
• Commit to biblical change
• Accept God’s forgiveness and cleansing
12. “Recovery” vs. “Transformation”
• “Recovery” means “to regain or to recapture
one’s old self”.
• God desires a total TRANSFORMATION.
• To transform something is to change its
“character or condition”. Our new life in Christ
looks nothing like who we were in our flesh.
13. Helping Addicts Identify their Idols:
Identifying the Lies
• James 4:1-10 and the “Heart Chart”
Controls
What I Do Controls
How I Feel
What I
Want
14. Replacing Lies with the Truth
• Time in the Word leads to biblical change.
• Heart attitude affects behavior.
• How does God define beauty?
• Spiritual discipline Godly habits.
15. “Put Off/Put On” (Eph. 4:20-24)
• We do not just “break” sinful habits – we
REPLACE old habits/thought patterns with
NEW ones!
“Put Off” “Put On”
Falsehood Speaking truthfully (Eph. 4:25)
Bitterness, rage, anger,
slander, malice
Kindness, compassion,
forgiveness (Eph. 4:28)
Revenge – returning evil for
evil
Blessing (1 Pet. 3:9)
Idols Turn to God (1 Thess. 1:9)
Conforming to evil desires Obedience to God (1 Pet.
1:14-15; 2:11-12)
16. How Does this Dynamic Apply to
Eating Disorders?
“Put Off” “Put On”
Number on scale determines my value I am made in the image of God (Gen.
1:26) and my purpose is to glorify Him
(Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21)
Counting calories Food is necessary to sustain life; receive
with gratitude (1 Tim. 4:4)
Fear of gaining weight God created my body; I can trust Him as I
eat the way He intended (Psalm 139:13)
Some foods are forbidden or “dirty” No particular food is unclean (Acts 10:15)
No one cares about me; I may as well
comfort myself with a binge
God cares about me, and I can turn
to Him (1 Pet. 5:7)
I want to be thin, but can’t stop thinking
about food!
Set mind on things above/eternal value
(Col. 3:2)
17. Responding to “Slips” or Relapses
• Temptation is to turn minor over-indulgence into
binge, then engage in compensatory behaviors
• Remind self of God’s love (Gospel Primer)
• Remind self that you don’t have to sin (you are no
longer a slave to sin – there IS a choice)
• Pray for grace
• Counter “all-or-none” thinking with Gospel view
of repentance and God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
18. Practical Considerations (See Chap. 13
of my book, “Redeemed from the Pit”
• Nutritional counseling in additional to biblical
is helpful.
• “Abstinence phase” – avoiding binge triggers
• “Binge withdrawal” – what to expect and how
to deal with it
• Complete physical (to detect cardiac or renal
problems)
• Avoiding “diets”, classifying foods as “good” or
“bad”
19. Accountability
(See Chap. 14, “Telling Someone”)
• Telling “secret” to another brings relief – once
it is out in the light, begins to lose its power
• Accountability to another facilitates
repentance
• Confessing sin to another is God’s will; He
provides the supernatural strength
• Others can pray for and with you
20. Additional Resources
• “The Heart of Addiction” (Dr. Mark Shaw)
• “Redeemed from the Pit: Biblical Repentance
and Restoration from the Bondage of Eating
Disorders” (Marie Notcheva)
• “Love to Eat; Hate to Eat” (Elyse Fitzpatrick)
• “Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from
Addiction” (Ed Welch) See my review here:
http://redeemedfromthepit.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-ed-welchs-crossroads.html
Editor's Notes
Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Conversation with 15-year-old Youth Group girls in Albania reveal this is a common problem.
Recent death of successful Bulgarian artist
Prevelence of Serbian pro Ana-Mia groups/discussion boards online
The media’s images of abnormally thin women being the ideal has often been blamed for EDs. However, both anorexia and bulimia have existed throughout recorded history – long before magazines, TV and electronic media. Anorexia mirabilis (“holy anorexia”) was common among acetic nuns in the Middle Ages; bulimia dates back (at least) to the Romans.
EDs existed when food was much harder to obtain (ie Dark Ages) and are on the rise in Japan and the Far East, where food is comparatively much more expensive. EDs are also extremely common in the Balkan countries – Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, etc. – the poorest in Europe, where food is also expensive relative to one’s salary.
The Bible warns us AGAINST “esteeming ourselves” and self-love (Phil. 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:2). The eating-disordered woman is focused too intensely on herself and her own vain pursuits.
Despite repeated studies and inconclusive results of “twin” studies, no gene has been linked to the eating disordered behavior.
In Naomi Wolf’s bestseller, “The Beauty Myth”, she writes: “Women must claim anorexia as political damage done to us by a social order that considers our destruction insignificant because of what we are – less. We should identify it as Jews identify the death camps, as homosexuals identify AIDS: as a disgrace that is not our own, but that of an inhumane social order. Anorexia is a prison camp. One-fifth of well-educated American young women are inmates. Susie Orbach compared anorexia to the hunger strikes of political prisoners, particularly the suffragists. But the time for metaphors is behind us. To be anorexic or bulimic is to be a political prisoner.”
While a woman in the pit of an eating disorder may feel very much as if she were a prisoner, in reality, she is a prisoner only to her own sin nature. To compare self-destructive behavior, no matter how strong the addiction, to the concentration camps of Nazi Germany is a slap in the face to those who perished there. The prisoners in World War II Europe were innocent of any crime, did not provoke their attackers, and were held in the camps against their will. Tortured in the most inhumane ways imaginable, these millions of Jews, Gypsies and Slavs were true victims. Once a bulimic (or drunkard, or any other substance abuser) comes to view herself as a victim, her chances of meaningful recovery drop considerably. The ‘victim mentality’ becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Rather than viewing ourselves as casualties who have unwittingly been immobilized by addiction, it is more accurate to see ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior extending the gift of repentance. Now true change can begin. (from my book, “Redeemed from the Pit”, p. 56-57
A disease is an organic problem in the body’s tissues. Anorexia and bulimia are learned behaviors. They are self-destructive behaviors resulting in physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences (estrangement from God). Even secular psychiatrists (ie Lance Dodes) say that “addictions” are NOT diseases.
A biblical re-definition of “addiction” : persistent habitual use of a substance (or behavior) known by the user to be harmful (Dr. Mark Shaw, “The Heart of Addiction”
Bulimia is wrong for two reasons: First, it can cause serious medical problems such as damage to your esophagus and your teeth. Second, it is a sin because overeating is gluttony, throwing up is a lack of self-control, and wanting to be thin so badly that you are willing to sin is idolatry. -- Martha Peace
Fear of man can manifest itself in an eating disordered woman as self-abasement; self-abuse; self-absorption; self-pity and perfectionism.
Insecurity – placing your faith, hope, trust, belief or confidence in someone or something that can be taken away.
Fear of man can also lead to escapism, which the bulimic engages in each time she binges and purges.
Vanity – form of self-worship. Behavior starts as a thought, which becomes a meditation behavior.
Idolatry – wanting something so badly that you are willing to sin in order to get it. Matt. 6:21b: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Who (or what) is at the center of your life determines what you will worship.
Manipulation, guilt trips; playing the “martyr”
-Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit
- “Perfectionism is the fear-motivated response of people who are not comfortable with who they are. They realize that something is wrong with them. They sense their own “internal awkwardness”. They are not comfortable in their own skin. Rather than fleeing to God to fix what is wrong, their solution is a “do it yourself” attitude. Their path to wholeness is through a performance-driven, perfectionist mindset. This is spiritual madness, the mind gone mad. Perfectionism is not only untenable, but it is illogical. And it is a blatant denial of the Gospel.” (Rick Thomas, biblical counselor)
Romans 7:14-25: The Conflict of Two Natures
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold [a]into bondage to sin. 15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the [b]principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22For I joyfully concur with the law of God [c]in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in[d]the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner [e]of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from [f]the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
The heart of bulimia is similar to the heart motivation behind other “I can’t stop” behaviors. Greek for appetite: “koilia” – a hollow; a cavity. Also used figuratively of the heart (John 7:38). “Whose god is their appetite (void),”, Phil. 3:19
Thinness = false savior/idol perceived to give comfort.
* The anorexic or bulimic MUST learn to see Christ as more beautiful than what gives her comfort (idols). In practical terms, which is more important to me? Being a size 2, or my relationship with Jesus Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:31Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Puritan writer Thomas Watson outlined six aspects included in biblical repentance:
Seeing your sin – 1 John 1:8,10.
Sorrowing over your sin – We must do more than admit it. We must internally engage with it. Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 2 Corinthians 7:9.
Confessing your sin – We must put our sin into words and agree with God that what we did was wrong. Psalm 51:4; Hosea 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 1 John 1:9.
Being ashamed of your sin – Watson: “blushing is the color of virtue.” Jeremiah 6:15; 31:19.
Hating your sin – Job 42:5-6.
Turning from your sin – Watson: “Reformation is left last to bring up the rear of repentance. It is not the heart of repentance, but the fruit of repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8; Acts 26:20.
At the very least, this means removing yourself as much as possible from places of temptation (Proverbs 4:14-17).
If your sin was against other people, then you must go to them and ask their forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24).
If the sin involves stealing, then restitution must be made (Luke 19:8).
Repentance is necessary for God to forgive us (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22).
2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are beingtransformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
James 4:1-10 (lists things to avoid):
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? [b]Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask [c]with wrong motives, so that you may spend it [d]on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripturespeaks to no purpose: “[e]He [f]jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “ God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
A big part of overcoming eating disorders (and other addictive behaviors) is learning to be a truth-teller, to be authentic, and transparent.
** Biblical counseling process focuses on getting anorexic or bulimic to the place where they recognize Jesus Christ is the one true desire of their heart. (Seeing Christ as more beautiful than addiction). See Ed Welch’s “Crossroads”.
1. A common characteristic among Christian anorexic and bulimic women is lack of a consistent prayer life. Regular time reading the Bible also goes by the wayside. Usually, their guilt over what they know to be sinful behavior keeps them away from God. Spiritual apathy also sets in and motivation to be fed by the Word of God drops. This is a form of pride for two reasons: first, the woman will “run away” from God in shame (like the Prodigal Son of Luke 15, who was too proud initially to return to his father’s house). The biblical solution is to confess her eating disorder as sin and repent. Secondly, indifference toward God’s revealed will indicates an “I’ll do it myself” mentality. Few individuals in the grips of self-destructive bondage want to admit that God’s Word has the answers they need.
Prayerlessness and neglect of Scripture cause the eating disorder to become even more deeply entrenched. Repeatedly, a bulimic turns to the food – her drug of choice – to fill the spiritual void left by broken fellowship with God.
Ephesians 6:11 – putting on the full “armor of God”
Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
2. What you think about constantly (meditate) will eventually play out in your actions. God is not interested merely in outward conformance; repentance begins in the heart.
Proverbs 3:27 – “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Matt. 23:27 – “For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”
3. Although we have adopted the world’s standard of beauty and use it to drive our eating-disordered behavior, we must make a conscious, deliberate decision to STOP, EXAMINE the thought as it comes through a BIBLICAL filter, and CHOOSE to believe God INSTEAD.
God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and, in fact, you are made in His very image (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 11:7). God does not look at outward appearances; nor does He judge by superficial standards: “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” (1 Samuel 16:7). Physical beauty is transient at best: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised,” (Proverbs 31:30). Peter tells us that in God’s eyes, beauty comes from our spiritual condition. Listen to what the married apostle has to say to Christian wives: “Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Warnings about vanity: Job15:31; 2 Peter 2:18
4. This is true in day-to-day life as well as in the spiritual realm. (Exercise; breaking habits; etc.) It takes around 6 weeks to break or develop a habit.
Ephesians 4:20-24: That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Time studying the Word, in addition to a regular prayer life, is essential in order to “re-program” our thoughts. In order to be Spirit-led, one must be consciously adopting God’s thoughts/priorities and replacing our human, sinful ones with His.
Among all the young women I have counseled, those who have someone to keep them accountable (husband, Bible study leader) have done significantly better at walking away from bulimia.
My own sin in this area
Point 1 – Freedom from fear (John 8:36) – if we are in God’s will by telling the truth, we need not fear man
Point 2 – He will provide all you need to get through the process of repentance (2 Cor. 12:9)
Point 3 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)
- Point 4 – Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 “…If teo lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?”