“Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of God.”
Every Christian has heard this line from Matthew 4:4 in some form or another. It’s from the time when Jesus was out in the desert and the first temptation that Satan threw at Him.
Have you ever wondered why, of all things, Satan used hunger first?
Naturally, hunger is definitely one of the biggest dangers that one faces when out in the desert. There’s not much to drink, let alone eat!
But as Jesus reminds everyone with His own reply, man does not just survive on bread but by the Word. This means that it is not enough for man to be just another eating animal. There is a spiritual hunger in every one of us that God wants to fulfill.
Today, there is a lot of hate and distraction that keeps us disconnected from Jesus. This is constantly leaving us spiritually hungry. Here is a quick list of tips that can help you refresh your connection.
1. A good prayer habit.
Prayer may seem like a chore for many people (especially if it’s memorized). But remember, the important thing is that prayer is still a way to talk to God and let Him know you’re there. People also make the mistake of thinking that one should ‘hear’ God’s voice all the time or not bother. God is always there, even when He seems silent. Praying regularly is your way of letting God know that you are open to hearing His voice.
2. Read the Scripture regularly.
Next to prayer, the Bible is the most important way to learn more about God and how to receive Him. It is His Word after all! Even if it’s just a few passages every day, from start to finish, it’s a good habit to cultivate. Something is certainly wrong when you can spend 30 minutes to an hour watching TikTok or talking in group chats, but you can’t even spend 10 minutes studying God’s Word!
3. Spotting spiritually damaging distractions.
Now, the little distractions (such as noise, loose thoughts, and sleepiness) can be dealt with easily enough. You just have to catch yourself and steer yourself back into focus. On the other hand, there are some distractions that are subtler but more serious. These can be certain false commitments to things that don’t actually bring you closer to God. They eat away your time with God without you realizing it. They could also be deep-seated spiritual or emotional problems you may just be using God as an excuse to get away from. Be aware of these things and be honest about getting out! Nothing is worth sacrificing your connection to Jesus.
4. Helping out and being a good witness.
Just because God wants us to stay connected doesn’t mean you can simply hole yourself up, praying and reading! The Word itself says to “go out into the world!” You may not think you are called to preach, but there are other ways you can be a good witness for Jesus. Consider checking in at your local church for things you can volunteer for, or find some ways you can make positive contributions to your community.
5. Be kind to yourself and others.
People think that being tough on yourself and wallowing in shame for one’s sins gets them closer to God. That’s not true! That is just another way of letting one’s own ego take the place of God, who only corrects gently and will never beat you down, especially when you’re already feeling bruised and battered by life. Learn to be kind to yourself, even when you end up distracted or fall by the spiritual wayside. Learn to keep trusting in God and that He will show you the way to cast off the chains of sin.
Of course, these are but one of many ways you can keep staying connected with Jesus, whose sacrifice was for the healing of everyone’s wounds. Be open to what your other spiritual brothers and sisters may share, for you are all on this healing journey together.
Want more tips for staying in touch with Jesus? Check out the book Spirit Superfood: 37 Days of Biblical Wisdom Broken Down and Easy to Understand – Like a Daily Superfood Smoothie for your Spirit, both available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.