English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Our stomachs are insatiable. They can be filled temporarily, but the reality is, no matter what or how much we eat, we are sure to hunger again. For the believer, God satisfies spiritual hunger, but for the person “whose god is their belly,” true satisfaction will never come.
In Philippians 3:18–19, Paul describes “the enemies of the cross of Christ” as those “whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things” (NKJV). These people whose god is their belly seek to fill their own appetites with earthly things and without God. They serve themselves and their fleshly lusts, and their end is destruction. In contrast, believers are citizens of heaven (verse 20), walking in the ways of God and trusting in the only One who can truly satisfy.
False teachers, whose god is their belly, live according to the flesh and pursue physical satisfaction. Unconcerned with spiritual growth, they eagerly take advantage of believers in order to fill their own stomachs. They glut themselves at the expense of God’s people. Self-denial is not in their vocabulary.
Paul urges believers to follow his example instead «Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. », (Philippians 3:17), as he is committed to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (verse 14). Believers are not to be deceived by false teachers (Ephesians 5:6;Colossians 2:8). Jesus warned His followers that many would come in His name to deceive «For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. », (Matthew 24:5).
Instead of following and teaching what God says, false teachers whose god is their belly believe and teach what they desire, what their audience wants to hear, or what gains popularity. They are not mistaken teachers with good intentions; they willingly deceive their hearers. They use godliness and faith as a means of financial gain «perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. », (1 Timothy 6:5). They “are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people” «For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. », (Romans 16:18).
Enemies of the cross, whose god is their belly, make a stand against God and Christ’s loving sacrifice. The cross is of supreme importance «But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. », (Galatians 6:14), and there is no neutrality in response to the cross. In sorrow, Paul describes the destiny of these enemies of the cross. “Even weeping,” Paul warns that the end of these people is destruction «(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: », (Philippians 3:18).
Believers are called to a life of self-denial to follow Christ: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35). A person whose god is their belly is not living for Christ but for self.
Believers are also called to live for more than just this temporary reality on earth. The enemies of the cross have “set their mind on earthly things” «whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) », (Philippians 3:19). Those whose god is their belly are focused only on what is here and now and gratifying to the flesh. Believers are called to remember that their citizenship is in heaven «For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 3:20). Our heavenly identity changes our perspective in life’s difficulties and fuels the way we live. God’s Word tells us to “put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5;cf: Romans 8:13). One day, “the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, . . . will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). The believer’s body, including the belly, will one day be transformed and fit for glory.
What a person believes is reflected in the way he lives. As Jesus said, “A tree is recognized by its fruit” «Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. », (Matthew 12:33). Unlike those whose god is their belly, a true child of God displays the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). True believers set their minds on heavenly things and live for the Lord. Their desires and priorities are in their proper place. As citizens of heaven, we remember that only God can fully satisfy. We know the One True God, and He is not our belly.
