I’ve attempted many different diets in my life and have not been very successful on any of them. I’d lose a few pounds here and there but before long, my cravings would kick in—cravings for comfort foods like mashed potatoes, or chocolate, or ice cream. Perhaps you have certain foods that you crave. Many of us do.

What is craving anyway?

According to the dictionary, to crave, is to, “feel a powerful desire for something”. My craving to eat a warm brownie right from the oven, or a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is certainly powerful. It seems nothing can stop it, even when I’m determined to stick to my diet.

Craving isn’t always bad. For example, if we haven’t been eating well, our body may crave certain nutrients it’s been missing. Or, when we’re overworked and physically exhausted, we may crave a good night’s sleep.

Is craving in the Bible?

In 1 Peter 2: 1-3, Peter tells us we are to crave the Word of God. He says: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (NIV)

The word for crave used here is “epipotheo”in the Greek, meaning, to long for, desire, pursue with love.  When was the last time you longed for God’s Word? So many of us only read our Bible when we follow along with the pastor’s sermon on Sundays. Sadly, it’s the last thing we think of during our busy week.

Why is it important to read God’s Word?

The Bible tells us who God is, and reveals His plan for humanity and for us as individuals. It teaches us how to live, convicts us of sin, and deepens our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s hard to love someone you don’t know.

How can we come to a place of craving the Word?

I’ve found that the more time I spend in the Word, the more time I want to spend there. Think of it this way: I have a friend who adopted a baby boy. At first, she was concerned because she didn’t feel a deep connection to him. As time went on and they spent more and more time together, their bond grew stronger and stronger. Eventually, she felt she couldn’t possibly love him more.

As we read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to unveil its mysteries, we can’t help but want to know more. Although I’ve been a believer for many years, I learn something new each time I read it. I catch myself thinking, has that passage always been in there? How did I not see it before?

Are we content with spiritual immaturity?

Peter reminds us that, just as babies crave their mother’s milk for necessary physical growth, we are to crave the pure milk of the Word to grow in our spiritual lives. Many of us are in the same place we were after receiving Christ years ago. We prayed the prayer of salvation to get our ticket to heaven and now, we’re sitting at the train station waiting for our ride. We have remained in spiritual immaturity for decades. God has so much to teach us, and for some of us, time grows short. In addition, as we learn from the Word, we’re called to pass it on and disciple (teach/mentor/help) others.

We can’t ignore the first part of that verse, either. If we don’t deal with things in our life like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, it hinders our spiritual growth.  We’re told in Ephesians 4:22-24 to “put off the old self . . . and put on the new”, as if we were changing our dirty clothes and putting on new ones. As believers, we’re to pursue righteousness and holiness, in response to what Jesus has done for us.

Pray that God will give you a desire to read and study His Word—a craving for the pure milk of spiritual wisdom and knowledge. Pray that you’ll be able to set aside those nagging sins that form a barrier between you and others, and hinder your fellowship with the Lord. Begin to deeply study the Word of God this year—to read and meditate on it. God will certainly bless your efforts. You never know, in the process, God may take away that craving for New York Super Fudge Chunk! Wouldn’t that be Great?