Eat Only What Is Necessary: Introduction
How a Christian should buffet the body
Should We Buffet (buhf-it) or Buffet (buh-fey)?
Everyone likes a good buffet (buh-fey). One of my favorites is Panda Palace in Bakersfield, California. With so many Chinese dishes to choose from, it is easy to eat to the point of discomfort. The first plate always brings the most pleasure: chow mien noodles, pot stickers with dipping sauce, sautéed green beans, orange chicken, General Tso's chicken, beef and broccoli, and spicy sauces all around.
The law of diminishing returns, however, sets in after the second plate. It is mostly the memory of the yummy first plate that drives me to eat more. But with my stomach satisfied, the taste sensations are not as strong. Then, by time I go for thirds, my stomach is protesting: too much food!
If I eat like this, I am usually waddling out of the restaurant wishing I had stopped at the first plate. The pleasure of tasty food is subdued by the discomfort of overeating.
Buffet the Body
Of course — this kind of eating is part of the OLD way of life. It is not what God has designed for the human body — especially on a consistent basis. The Scriptures teach that we are to discipline our bodies — not stuff them to the point of dis-ease (which ultimately leads to disease).
In I Corinthians 9:27, the Apostle Paul writes that he disciplines his body as to not disqualify him for service to Christ. The 1977 New American Standard Bible says it like this, "I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified."
The word buffet in this text is pronounced buhf-it — not buh-fey. It is the Greek work doulagógeó which means "to enslave" or figuratively "subdue" according to Strong's Concordance. And Helps Word Studies defines it "properly, to lead as a captive; bring into subjection, fully compliant to the will of a master."
Instruments of Service
Why should Paul bring his body into subjection, fully compliant to his will? Because he knows that his body is a necessary instrument in his service to God. In a later chapter of Corinthians, Paul refers to the human body as an analogy for the church body, declaring that if one portion is out of joint, the whole body suffers.
This principle became a reality to me recently. I have had a persistent infection in my pinky finger for a number of years, but it has stayed subdued in a small boil. Recently however, the infection flared up — and for more than a month became an oozing sore that eventually spread over the majority of the littlest digit on my hand. I was forced to keep the finger wrapped in a bandage, which was a daily chore of cleaning and covering sometimes 6 times a day. I was unable to swim in the salt water pool in our apartment complex. I had to say "no" to some social functions. And I cried on more than one occasion out of frustration. My whole being suffered because my little finger was out of joint.
Thankfully, by discipling my body, I've got the upper hand against my infection; my finger is no longer in need of a bandage; and my life has returned to normal. But I am still struggling against this flesh, still needing to bring it under subjection so I don't come under the control of the infection — and my whole body be out of joint again.
We, as the Apostle Paul, must buffet (discipline) our bodies so we can continue the work that Christ has laid out for us to the best of our ability. One way to do this is to use self-control when it comes to eating food.
Paul's Slave
Interestingly, 1 Corinthians 9:27 is the only occurrence of the word doulagógeó in the entire Bible. As a reminder, the word means to "bring into subjection, fully compliant to the will of a master." The word is a verb in the present active indicative. What does that mean?
Present: This deals with tense. It is not something Paul must do in the future or will do in the future. He is bringing his body into subjection presently.
Active: This means that when Paul makes the assertion, he is the one doing the action. He must actively participate in the subjection of his body. It is not something that just happens to him. He is actively bringing his body into subjection.
Indicative: This means that Paul is not commanding himself or wishing that he would bring his body into subjection. Rather it asserts that the action is actually taking place. He is doing it. Why? Because he doesn't want to be disqualified.
This is our high calling in Christ Jesus -- to bring our bodies into subjection to Christ in every area. This includes the topics of food and drink. In fact, one chapter after Paul informs us that he buffets (disciplines) his body, he begins a 3 chapter discourse on food, applying this very principle of subjection. I wrote briefly about that here: Food: A Stumbling Block to Believers and Unbelievers. The context here is not overindulgence, but the application can still be made — especially in light of the rest of Scripture.
I am not saying that I have this subjection thing figured out. I wish I could say like Paul that I have mastered my body. I have not. But It is indeed what I need to strive for even more and more. May God grant me mastery of this area.
Some Questions to Ask
Are you using food as an instrument to bring health to your body? Or is your body a slave to food?
Let us all pray that the God of heaven would grant us the ability to bring our bodies into subjection as did the Apostle Paul. Perhaps the next time we look at a buffet line we might remember Paul's mastery over his body. And we might be encouraged that through Christ we can do all things. Indeed in our own strength we can do nothing.
Next: Is Eating Too Much a Sin? 7 Bible Verses on Overeating
Return to: Biblical Health Study