10/22/2025
Spiritual Appetite Loss
Matthews 4:4; 5:6
Loss of appetite isn’t usually a primary condition, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. And if it persists and the root cause is not addressed, it can lead to malnutrition and life-threatening complications. The same holds true when a person loses his or her spiritual appetite. Unless the underlying cause is dealt with, the spiritual consequences can be dire.
A number of conditions can lead to a decreased appetite for spiritual things, but sin is the primary cause. Feasting on the things of this world will also diminish one’s desire for spiritual food. If a person nibbles all day long on the world’s dainties, spiritual things will lose their appeal. Busyness is another cause of spiritual appetite loss. Some people just get too busy for God—so busy that He often becomes less than an afterthought.
A healthy Christian desires spiritual nourishment—everything from the reading and hearing of God’s Word to personal prayer – and seeks to be fed every day. After all, as Jesus reminded Satan, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Mt 4:4, NKJV). And if we hunger for the things of God, we will not only be filled but also blessed. For as Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Mt 5:6, NKJV).
So, how do we increase our spiritual appetites? By addressing any underlying issues and increasing our spiritual intake. For the more we feast on the things of God, the more we will desire them.
Copyright 2025 Anne Wilkins
