There are 420 calories in a pack of cinnamon and brown sugar Pop-Tarts. Normally, I would not care one bit. However, I am getting ready for the 5k benefiting Olivia's House on April 2. Part of my preparing is to cut back so that there is less Ken to move around the track! Thus, my Pop-Tart dilemma. As I sit here eating the last few bites I am reminded of our lesson on Sunday. Genetic predispositions and the Holy Spirit was the lofty topic that we got into. Here is where I will confess... I am a foodie. Food knows me by name and I answer its siren call. I do not fast often (and when I do it is for a ridiculously short period of time) becuase I do not want to fail in a commitment to God (thus missing the whole point of fasting to begin with).
It is here that I would like to blame my genes. I have some gene in my cells that makes my chemistry light up when I am eating. There is some part of my brain programmed to be happy in the presence of pasta. Late night snacking is a direct result of my DNA. SO, I should give up the fight and be fat and happy... right?
Well, what about the genetic predisposition toward Alcoholism? My genes, and the way they affect the neurochemical Gamma-amino butyric acid or GABA, have some effect on my risk for alcoholism (see http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26119 for more info). Now, having alcoholism in my family history it is likely that I may have the genes that are linked to alcoholism. A genetic predisposition. SO, should I give up the fight and be fat, drunk, and, well, not so happy?
This is all based on the physical part of me... my genes and DNA. Let's call this physical part "the flesh" and the predispositions "the desires of the flesh." My genes and DNA want Pop-Tarts and 420 calories of brown sugar deliciousness. Can I say no to the desires of the flesh? What about the spiritual part of me? What about my free-will and my ability to choose? What about my spirit? What about God's Holy Spirit.
In I Corinthians 6 Paul says that he will not let anything master him. He will not become a slave to the desires of the flesh. It is not easy to deny your flesh those things that are being desired even to the genetic level... but it is possible. Am I an alcoholic? NO (and that is not denial- I really am not). Why not? Because I refuse to let alcohol be a part of my life. I will not give it the chance to master me. There are sins that I am actively struggling with and they may be things I am genetically predisposed to. I will not just give up the struggle and accept them as a part of my life. This is where my free-will, my spirit, and God's Holy Spirit work together.
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