AQUIRED TASTE

A diet is something that usually has an end date. It has a space of time where it'll exist, but it will eventually come to an end. And the person who is on the diet, will have 2 paths they will ultimately take at this end date: one, being to change their lifestyle and eat healthy options moving forward, and the other, would be going back to the food that got them to the point of needing a diet in the first place.

With all of the problems our bodies face today, we must pay close attention to what we eat. The same can be said for our spiritual food.

Definition: An acquired taste is a preference for something that is not inherently appealing at first but is learned and enjoyed after repeated exposure, trial, or association, often involving challenging or strong flavors like coffee, certain cheeses, or bitter vegetables. This process is influenced by psychological factors like habituation (the process of making or becoming accustomed or used to something/in psyc: the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus) the development of positive associations, and even the natural adaptation of taste buds over time. 

Revelation 10:9-10 “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's 6hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”

This is the scripture that rang true in my ears when I heard the Lord speak to me about having an acquired taste. Most of us know that the Word of God is usually sweet when you first taste it, and it only becomes "bitter" when digesting it. (Example of this is “wanting” or “praying for patience” - we hear a word preached about it and hoot/holler over it, but when it comes down to putting it into practice on our jobs, with our spouses, with our children… that is a different story) 

God's Word is the nutrition that we desperately need to stay healthy (spiritually speaking that is) - so why does scripture say that it is hard to digest? Is it because as God's people we are resistant to that which He wants to say to us? Or is it because when actually participating in the way of the Lord, it's harder than it looks? (kind of lining up with what was preached last night.. Sometimes it might not be easy to obey the Lord and honor Him, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it)

The Word is "sweet" because it is of the LORD! It brings peace, love, and the promises of God. But this sweetness is REAL - Think about it as fruit vs. candy. Both are sweet, but one is real sweetness and brings health and liveliness, while the other is artificial and poisons our bodies. If you've gone your whole life eating only candy, the fruit may have to become an "acquired taste" to you - but once you start to have it more, that fruit will be the sweet snack you reach for over the candy - especially when you realize its NUTRITIONAL VALUE

The same can be said of the Word. Oftentimes when coming to the Lord, we are so used to grabbing the things that are "sweet" to us (the world) - we sometimes want something that looks good to us and what we think will be good for us, but ends up bringing sickness and disease to our bodies (example given here would be candy or a carb loaded meal)

 but then we begin to reach for the things of God, until eventually, we are eating the real instead of the fake (at least we should be!!) 

Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Even when being mocked, Jeremiah stood firm on his beliefs. He stood firm when the rest of the world looked on and made him feel insignificant - He was bruised in so many ways, yet he knew where his heart would remain safe. And if he never had that "acquired taste" for God and all that He is, he might would've fallen into the crowd of what seemed like it would be a good and "healthy" thing - but would end up bringing sickness to his soul. (Again - pulling from Sis Selah last night - the 3 Hebrew men - another example)

Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:3 “But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”

This scroll was truly the Lord's judgement. And it might sound good to us at first hearing or "tasting" of it, but it can be hard to digest (see again Rev. 10:10) 

The bitterness comes because the love, mercy, peace, and promises also go hand in hand with the punishment and judgement of the Lord. God cannot lie and He cannot go back on His Word - which is judgement and for the non-believer - punishment (which is still God’s judgement). God's Word can be hard to digest sometimes because it's hard to swallow the things that show us our sin -  and it also shows the consequences of what will happen if we reject the Word. 

Matthew 19:16-22 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

This is just one of many examples in scripture that shows the “excitement” of following God (His Word included) in the beginning - it “tastes” good - we are more willing to “swallow it down” - but when we are at the point of digestion (following through with what is said/preached/The WORD - it becomes “bitter” to us. 

BUT!!  It doesn't have to stay that way!!! Having an acquired taste for the Word of God - for His instruction - for HIM makes all things “sweet” over time.

Psalms 119:103-106 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 

We are not lovers of God if we are not lovers of His Word. This very Word is the nourishment that keeps us every day. Without it, we would be lost. His Word teaches us in HIS ways - It is the very roadmap to life - living it more abundantly through Christ. 

Psalms 119:4-7 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 

Psalms 119:9-17 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 

All of Psalm 119 really goes to show how badly we need God's Word - we need it in every circumstance - and not only that, but we need to LOVE IT!!

The Word of God is the very life to our bodies - the very breath of life itself. It is our compass, our sustenance, our comfort, and the only constant in this world and in the one to come. God has given us His Word as the path of eternal life. If we have never known it, and never “eaten” it, it might be an acquired taste to us.. But oh the sweet taste it will have once we know of it!!!