Growth in the Christian Walk is always marked by a change in appetite. The things that once satisfied no longer fill the void because God Himself has placed a deeper longing within us. Scripture reminds us that we can only work out what Christ has worked in us (Philippians 2:12–13). That is why what we crave, pursue, and desire is not a small matter, it shapes our destiny.
Esau is a striking example. In Genesis 25:27–34, he sold his birthright for a single meal. His appetite, uncontrolled and misplaced, cost him his inheritance. Hebrews later warns us:
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:14–16, NKJV)
Your appetite is more than just physical hunger. It is your drive, your inclinations, your preferences, and your deepest desires. It is what pulls your attention and shapes your future. And here’s the truth: you cannot develop a taste for something you have never tasted. This is why the Bible invites us:
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8, NKJV)
When you truly taste God’s goodness, you discover that no earthly pleasure can compare.
How Appetites Are Shaped
The devil often tries to shape our appetite by presenting temporary alternatives. He knows that if he can keep us distracted by what does not last, we will forfeit what is eternal. Every time we say “no” to God, we are saying “yes” to something else; something that never truly satisfies.
Temporary Fills
What you are craving right now might give you relief for a moment, but it will never meet the deeper need of your soul. Esau’s stew satisfied his hunger for a night, but it cost him the blessing of a lifetime. In the same way, misplaced appetites can rob us of God’s purpose for our lives.
Attention Shapes Affection
Wherever you place your attention, your affection will follow. Hunger is generated by focus. If you fix your attention on the things of God, soon enough your heart begins to long for Him. As Paul wrote: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”(Colossians 3:1, NKJV)
You Can Develop a Taste for God
Just as someone can acquire a taste for a new food after trying it repeatedly, you can cultivate a deeper appetite for God. The more you draw near, the more you crave Him. Jesus Himself said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” (John 6:44). That divine drawing is the spark of holy appetite.
Managing and Redirecting Our Appetite
Your appetite determines who you will become and what you are capable of. If you let your cravings control you, you may miss God’s call. But if you submit your appetite to God, you will discover His favour and walk in His Spirit.
Control Begins With Control
The only way to get your appetite under control is to actually bring it under control. This involves discipline, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 91:14 (NKJV) assures us: “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.” When love for God drives your desire, control follows.
Cravings Cannot Define You
The struggle you face is not random, it was placed in your way to prevent your call. But cravings do not define you. They reveal where God wants to strengthen you. Your appetite for fleeting pleasures can be transformed into hunger for eternal treasures.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
It is the Spirit who gives us the power to redirect our appetites. When you invite Him to take control, He changes your inclinations. You begin to desire holiness, intimacy with God, and the things of the Spirit. Appetite becomes worship when aligned with His will.
Conclusion
Every believer must confront this truth: what you hunger for will shape your life. Appetite can either anchor you to temporary pleasures or draw you into eternal purpose. Esau’s story is a warning, but it is also an invitation. Unlike Esau, we can choose to hunger for God and guard the inheritance given to us in Christ.
The Bible reminds us that growth is evident when our appetites change. If once we craved the world but now long for God, then His Spirit is truly at work in us. You can develop a taste for God, but you must be willing to taste.
When the Psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” he was not speaking of a one-time experience but of a lifelong pursuit. Crave God, pursue Him, fix your attention on Him and your appetite will not only change, it will be satisfied in Him alone.