“Submit Your Appetite — Don’t Sell Your Birthright”
When Katniss’ father said in The Hunger Games, “As long as you can find yourself, you’ll never starve,” he wasn’t talking about food. He was talking about identity. He meant that if she could discover who she was — her skills, her strength, her purpose — she would always have what she needed to survive.
From the moment we enter this world, the enemy’s greatest strategy is to attack our identity. He’ll use how we were parented, how others treated us, and how we see ourselves to distort our sense of worth. Because if you never know who you are, you’ll never know what belongs to you — and you’ll trade your birthright for temporary satisfaction.
We’re watching this play out in real time. In light of everything God is exposing in the life of Shawn “Diddy” Combs and those attached to that scandal, it’s a sobering reminder: when a man doesn’t submit his appetite, his appetite will destroy him. Unsubmitted desire can ruin reputations, relationships, and destinies. Let this be a warning to all of us — find yourself in the Word and let wisdom call you higher.
Let’s examine Esau’s story with spiritual insight. From the womb, Esau was already wrestling with his twin brother Jacob. The struggle was so intense that their mother, Rebekah, went to inquire of the Lord.
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb… and the elder shall serve the younger.”
— Genesis 25:23
Before Esau and Jacob were even born, God had already spoken their destinies. The same is true for us — God declared our end from the beginning. But Esau reached a place where he lost focus. The Bible says he despised his birthright. He was hungry, tired, and desperate. He forgot who he was and what his inheritance meant.
When you don’t submit your appetite, you’ll start to crave things that cost too much.
Pastor Dharius Daniels once said, “Be careful who you’re around when you’re hungry — some people won’t meet your need; they’ll exploit it.” That’s exactly what Jacob and their mother did to Esau. He was faint, and instead of feeding him in love, they used his weakness against him.
Sometimes, the people closest to us are the ones who can’t be trusted with our hunger.
What lie has the enemy told you that you can’t live without? Esau believed he was about to die and gave up his inheritance for a bowl of stew. What have you been willing to trade just to quiet a craving or satisfy a temporary desire?
Every story of downfall in Scripture starts with an unsubmitted appetite.
Eve’s hunger for knowledge.
Moses’ anger.
Samson’s lust.
Rachel’s idols.
David’s disobedience.
Abraham and Sarah’s impatience.
Each of them starved in an area of their soul — and it cost them something precious.
To walk in your calling, you must submit your appetite to God — naturally, sexually, spiritually, financially, and emotionally. Many have become weary in well-doing, hungry for validation, comfort, or success. But the devil is a liar. God is restoring focus, discipline, and self-control in this season.
If your character has been attacked or your reputation challenged, remember: God cares more about restoring your soul than your status. When your soul is whole, your image will be restored in the hearts and minds of those connected to your destiny.
It’s a new day. God is turning the page. He’s calling His children out of compromise and into consecration. When you rediscover who you are, you’ll realize — you were never starving. You were simply searching.
“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”
— Proverbs 27:7
Don’t sell your birthright for a moment of relief. Find yourself again.