Holy, Healthy, Whole: Growing Fruits of the Spirit for Weight Loss and WellnessSample

Lasting Fruit Skill #1 – Use Scripture for Weight Loss

All your words are true;
All your righteous laws are eternal. Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

Choosing to eat healthier is not easy in today's world. Many people think that weight loss is about willpower, but willpower runs out quickly. Developing skills and habits is what keeps healthy choices going for the long haul.

As a Christian woman on a weight loss journey, God’s Word is the most important tool you have to fight cravings, live in freedom, and grow into the person God created you to be.

Here are just a few important ways to make Scripture part of your weight loss process:

• Read a Bible passage, devotion, or Bible study each day.
• Write Bible verses on note cards and put them throughout your house.
• Memorize Bible passages to rely on during times you need them.
• Journal about what Bible verses mean to you.
• Pray Bible verses back to God.
• Have Bible verses handy to read during food cravings.

The truth of God’s Word is important for guiding your daily food choices, challenging you when the enemy's lies tempt you, and reminding you to trust God’s timing in your weight loss progress.

Below is a list of verses that I found most impactful during my 100-pound weight loss process.

Bible Verses for Weight Loss

1. Your adornment must not be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but 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
2. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20
3. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
4. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
5. For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12
6. For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
7. Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
8. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. I Samuel 17:47

Reflection: Which verse is most meaningful to you? Why?

Prayer: Lord, weight loss programs, diet methods, and calorie counting all have their place, but you provide the Bible as the lamp to my feet and the light to my path. Let me turn to Your word as the most important source of truth in my life. Amen.