INTRODUCTION

A believer is to be controlled only by the Lord. At no point should a man be led by the cravings of his body, even that of his appetite. No doubt, Paul meant much more than that when he spoke the words in 1 Corinthians 9:27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
See All..., but he also understood the need to control appetite, as there were often times where Paul was hungry and had nothing to eat (2 Corinthians 11:27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
See All...). Solomon warned his son about the need for appetite control when seated before rulers. He said, "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite" (Proverbs 23:1-2 [1] When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: [2] And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) The king of Babylon took the best of the male captives from the children of Israel and wanted them trained for his service. He offered them types of food and drink which God did not allow. Everyone chose the king's meat except Daniel and his three friends. God blessed them greatly (Daniel 1:8-20 [8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. [9] Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. [10] And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. [11] Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, [12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. [13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. [14] So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. [15] And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. [16] Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. [17] As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. [18] Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. [19] And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. [20] And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
  See All...).
• What are some times where it might be extremely important to guard your appetite? What does an inability to control one’s appetite suggest about the person in general?
• How can a heavy appetite become a hindrance to serving the Lord? How could it be a hindrance to a pastor, missionary, or evangelist?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you control your appetite.
• Ask God to help you “keep under” your body.

HYMN

Yield Not to Temptation

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