PHILIPPIANS 3:19

“whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things.”

Our stomachs will tell us when it’s time to eat, if we will listen. Unfortunately, many of us eat even when we are not hungry. We eat out of habit or just because it’s “time” to eat. Some of us eat to comfort ourselves. Others don’t eat to lose weight or maybe even to fast for a period of time. We just can’t allow our bellies to guide our decisions all the time, can we?

Paul uses the imagery of the belly in today’s verse. The word “appetite” can also be translated as stomach, belly or even womb. These enemies of the cross whom Paul is referring to are only concerned about themselves. Paul says they will be destroyed, that they glory in their shame and that they only think about worldly things. What a sad bunch of people!

APPLICATION

But before we start chunking rocks at these people, we need to examine our own appetites. Paul isn’t telling us to watch what we eat. He is telling us to stop being concerned about self-gratifications or self-indulgences. When we do that, our eyes are off what is important. Our appetite should be for the things of God. We should devour the Word, not the world. Psalm 119:103 tells us, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” We should hunger for righteousness, not just to be right. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:6, “‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.’”

When Paul says these enemies glory in their shame, I am reminded of people today who flaunt their ungodly lifestyles and try to force us to normalize it. They take pride in living lives that go contrary to God’s Word and the natural order of things. We are made to feel ashamed because we don’t agree with them. Never! We have to stand for the Cross. We have to stand for righteousness. Paul says in Ephesian 5:12, “for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.”

We are told over and over in Scripture to set our minds on things above, not on things below (Colossians 3:2). We should live our days with an eternal perspective, always looking for Jesus and pointing others towards Him. When we look for earthly fame or honor, it is fleeting. All glory belongs to Him, not us. So, today examine your appetite. Examine your mindset. Where is it focused?

Lord, my God, You are the center of my thoughts and actions today. Let me live so that everything I do points others to You.