{"id":3538,"date":"2026-04-17T19:54:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T19:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/?p=3538"},"modified":"2026-04-17T20:16:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T20:16:27","slug":"beware-of-your-appetite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/?p=3538","title":{"rendered":"Beware of your appetite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was in a BBC article,Your pictures of Scotland: 10 – 17 April<\/a>, that the thought was provoked in Coco’s head. The article contains several quite delightful photographs including one of a short-eared owl in flight near Caithness, but it was not this that inflamed Coco’s thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But rather one of some large mammals in a field. The caption catches the attention: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n
\n

Travelling through Embo, we came across this scene and wondered\u2026 just what was it that someone had fed those horses.<\/p>\nAllister Fraser \u00a9 2026<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Surely we must be careful of our diet. It important for our bodies – too much arsenic may promote an early and unwelcome disorganisation of the machines, processes and factories that maintain their proper economy enabling the organs of the body to function in their vital states but the ingestion of the odd apple or two may, despite the arsenic risk, actually help to keep the doctor away if part of a daily routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important also for our souls. Peter tells us that a new born babes we are to desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word1<\/a><\/sup>. If we do not understand the world in which we live correctly then we shall make mistakes with both inanimate things and animate beings. We shall not treat people as we ought. We shall not live as we ought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we are not to remain as those who only drink milk. As new born babes, the apostle said, but babes grow up and need stronger food2<\/a><\/sup>. The Apostle writing to one group of believers expresses his disappointment that his readers are still living as babes. Why do they not grow up, he has asked them, that they may be given solid food. He then goes on to tell them what those elementary matters3<\/a><\/sup> are. Some of you if you read the list may wonder why it is that the Apostle calls these things elementary having not understood them. If you do, then you fall into that same group who are still only drinking milk. We are to move on from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul, elsewhere, writes to the Corinthian church4<\/a><\/sup> telling them also that they had not grown up. Why do they only take milk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in that we have not developed our appetites. The Englishman, though Coco may suppose their may not be many of them now, who has only tasted the bland food of his fathers, will find it hard to swallow the exotic medley of the subcontinent. They have not listened to the words of the Psalmist5<\/a><\/sup>. When we consider the works of the Lord both in nature and in the redemption of men by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, giving himself to pay the penalty for our sins and to prepare the way the lift the curse that lies upon this world6<\/a><\/sup> because of Adam’s7<\/a><\/sup> sin. If we ingest the wrong food, we shall either grow stuntedly, not quite like horses becoming sheep, and in ignorance of the true God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us then feed not only our bodies but our souls, hearts and minds that we may grow in the knowledge of God our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and not remain in ignorance of all that he has done for us by reading his Word, meditating upon it, digesting it, and putting it in practice in our daily living. . <\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Therefore,\u00a0laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,\u00a0as newborn babes, desire the pure\u00a0milk of the word, that you may grow\u00a0thereby,\u00a0if indeed you have\u00a0tasted that the Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0gracious. 1 Peter 2:2-3<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  2. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need\u00a0someone<\/em>\u00a0to teach you again the first principles of the\u00a0oracles of God; and you have come to need\u00a0milk and not solid food.\u00a0For everyone who partakes\u00a0only<\/em>\u00a0of milk\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is\u00a0a babe.\u00a0But solid food belongs to those who are\u00a0of full age,\u00a0that is,<\/em>\u00a0those who by reason of\u00a0use have their senses exercised\u00a0to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  3. Therefore,\u00a0leaving the discussion of the elementary\u00a0principles<\/em>\u00a0of Christ, let us go on to\u00a0perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from\u00a0dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms,\u00a0of laying on of hands,\u00a0of resurrection of the dead,\u00a0and of eternal judgment.\u00a0And this\u00a0we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  4. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual\u00a0people<\/em>\u00a0but as to carnal, as to\u00a0babes in Christ.\u00a0I fed you with\u00a0milk and not with solid food;\u00a0for until now you were not able\u00a0to receive it,<\/em>\u00a0and even now you are still not able. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  5. The law of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0perfect,\u00a0converting the soul;
    The testimony of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0sure, making\u00a0wise the simple;
    The statutes of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0right, rejoicing the heart;
    The commandment of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0pure, enlightening the eyes;
    The fear of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0clean, enduring forever;
    The judgments of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0true\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0righteous altogether.
    More to be desired\u00a0are they<\/em>\u00a0than\u00a0gold,
    Yea, than much fine gold;
    Sweeter also than honey and the\u00a0honeycomb<\/strong>.
    Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
    And<\/em>\u00a0in keeping them\u00a0there is<\/em>\u00a0great reward.     Psalm 19<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  6. For\u00a0the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected\u00a0it<\/em>\u00a0in hope;\u00a0because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of\u00a0corruption into the glorious\u00a0liberty of the children of God.\u00a0For we know that the whole creation\u00a0groans and labours with birth pangs together until now.\u00a0Romans 8:20-22<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  7. Cursed\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat\u00a0of<\/em>\u00a0it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall\u00a0bring forth for you, and\u00a0you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you\u00a0are,<\/em> and\u00a0to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:17-19<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>
    \n
    \n

    Turning heads: “Short-eared owls return to breeding grounds in Caithness <\/p>\nAlice Gordon \u00a9 2026<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It was in a BBC article,Your pictures of Scotland: 10 – 17 April, that the thought was provoked in Coco’s head. The article contains several quite delightful photographs including one of a short-eared owl in flight near Caithness, but it was not this that inflamed Coco’s thoughts. But rather one of some large mammals in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"Therefore,\u00a0laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,\u00a0as newborn babes, desire the pure\u00a0milk of the word, that you may grow\u00a0thereby,\u00a0if indeed you have\u00a0tasted that the Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0gracious. 1 Peter 2:2-3<\/a>\",\"id\":\"d8901a88-3c4e-4ae2-889c-243cdde696ea\"},{\"content\":\"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need\u00a0someone<\/em>\u00a0to teach you again the first principles of the\u00a0oracles of God; and you have come to need\u00a0milk and not solid food.\u00a0For everyone who partakes\u00a0only<\/em>\u00a0of milk\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is\u00a0a babe.\u00a0But solid food belongs to those who are\u00a0of full age,\u00a0that is,<\/em>\u00a0those who by reason of\u00a0use have their senses exercised\u00a0to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14<\/a>\",\"id\":\"8bc0fb12-572a-4bff-88f5-7f746f488fb1\"},{\"content\":\"Therefore,\u00a0leaving the discussion of the elementary\u00a0principles<\/em>\u00a0of Christ, let us go on to\u00a0perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from\u00a0dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms,\u00a0of laying on of hands,\u00a0of resurrection of the dead,\u00a0and of eternal judgment.\u00a0And this\u00a0we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3<\/a>\",\"id\":\"5976c3ce-77b1-4530-b12c-3912e574c5b9\"},{\"content\":\"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual\u00a0people<\/em>\u00a0but as to carnal, as to\u00a0babes in Christ.\u00a0I fed you with\u00a0milk and not with solid food;\u00a0for until now you were not able\u00a0to receive it,<\/em>\u00a0and even now you are still not able. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2<\/a> \",\"id\":\"09fd0145-bb36-4b5f-b8cf-01b9c4638aa5\"},{\"content\":\"The law of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0perfect,\u00a0converting the soul;
    The testimony of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0sure, making\u00a0wise the simple;
    The statutes of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0right, rejoicing the heart;
    The commandment of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0pure, enlightening the eyes;
    The fear of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0clean, enduring forever;
    The judgments of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0true\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0righteous altogether.
    More to be desired\u00a0are they<\/em>\u00a0than\u00a0gold,
    Yea, than much fine gold;
    Sweeter also than honey and the\u00a0honeycomb<\/strong>.
    Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
    And<\/em>\u00a0in keeping them\u00a0there is<\/em>\u00a0great reward.     Psalm 19<\/a>\",\"id\":\"5b5964f9-fc45-4c73-b14f-4714ccbccc14\"},{\"content\":\"For\u00a0the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected\u00a0it<\/em>\u00a0in hope;\u00a0because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of\u00a0corruption into the glorious\u00a0liberty of the children of God.\u00a0For we know that the whole creation\u00a0groans and labours with birth pangs together until now.\u00a0Romans 8:20-22<\/a>\",\"id\":\"35a139b3-aeed-43b8-af3f-2d6179f43c43\"},{\"content\":\"Cursed\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat\u00a0of<\/em>\u00a0it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall\u00a0bring forth for you, and\u00a0you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you\u00a0are,<\/em> and\u00a0to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:17-19<\/a>\",\"id\":\"b09c7511-4d2e-4810-8f7c-d917348a5632\"}]"},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-faith"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3538"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3552,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3538\/revisions\/3552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.purechocolate.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}