Proper nutrition is of utmost importance to us as we go about our daily lives. As we can remember from our first lesson, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Let us read an important verse again.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Another verse very appropriately says this:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Now their are various interpretations of this verse and it has a deeper symbolic meaning in the text, but overall I think taken at face value that it has a solid premise we should live by. These two verses imply to us that we should live a life full of good nutrition that honors God in our bodies by strengthening us, and by making us better fit to hear God’s voice and to serve Him. Can food really do that? Yes! Think about it this way. If we live our lives eating nothing but junk food, sugar, and lots of alcohol, our physical body will decline, but so will our cognitive abilities. We can often withstand an absolutely diabolical level of abuse before damage becomes apparent sometimes, but that doesn’t mean on a level we can’t see, often through the workings of chronic inflammation and malnutrition because of poor diet, that damage isn’t being done.
So what should we be eating? Does the bible talk about this? What was the original plan? Well God shared some information on that as well in numerous places. Starting right off at the very beginning, God teaches Adam and Eve which foods they were designed to eat. Note there are no animal products in this list. It has been proven in numerous studies over the centuries that those who consume fewer animal products have fewer modern health issues and live longer. In time I will be providing information and resources, but this is a work in progress. There are many wonderful documentaries on Netflix that discuss the health benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.
“Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” Genesis 1:29 ESV
It wasn’t until after the flood that God allowed the use of animals products. He only did so because plant matter was scarce at that time. It was not a part of his original design. There are undeniably some benefits of animal products at times, but it is my humble opinion, that there is nothing that a diet in animal products can provide that a vegan / vegetarian diet can’t provide. Some like to argue that vegan / vegetarian diets are low in protein which is a very outdated belief. They also cite low iron or B-12 as issues, and certainly if you live a vegan or vegetarian diet with little thought about proper nutrition you can certainly be unhealthy. You could live on potato chips and technically be vegan, but you most certainly would not be living the way God intended and your health would reflect this.
Yes, you can be reasonably healthy eating animal products as well, but there are pros and cons to every choice. By eating animals products, you expose yourself to a host of things that cause cancers, raise blood pressure, expose you to parasites, higher levels of heavy metals, and raise acidity in the body. Meat is much harder to digest than vegetables. Again, there is nothing you can’t get from a properly thought out vegan / vegetarian diet that you need, but there is much you can and will miss if you do not eat an abundance of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.
The bible even talks about the importance of a complete protein, giving the ingredients and instructions for making a nutritious bread that was capable of sustaining life for those that ate it. Here is the recipe.
“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side.” Ezekial 4:9
Today, that recipe and that bible verse, is the founding for a bread company bearing the name of the verse, that sells it’s products all over the United States in most every grocery store that I’ve been to.
As more proof that a vegan / vegetarian diet is wholesome and fitting, the bible tells how those who live a simple lifestyle with lots of veggies and beans, while abstaining from meat, are not only healthier and stronger than their peers, they were in fact historically ten times smarter than all the kings esteemed leaders. Here is that story. It is a little long but well worth the read. It is located in chapter one of the book of Daniel. KJV.
1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
4. Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6. Now among these were the children of Judah, Daniel Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7. Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as though seest, deal with thy servants.
14. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15. And at the end of the ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
16. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Now as you can see, Daniel and his friends subsisted for three years on a diet of pulses. What are pulses? Pulses are beans. I imagine they also ate vegetables and fruits but this is speculative. The bible doesn’t say anything about this. It does say that they lived daily on beans, fresh water, and avoided meat and alcohol. Beans are an almost universally perfect food for humans. They are incredibly nutritious, and soy in particular forms a complete protein, providing every amino acid needed by humans to live healthily. Most beans lack a few amino acids but these are easily found in grains and vegetables, which I imagine were added to the beans. There is absolutely no need for meat, no alcohol, nor were they beneficial in any way.
The bible goes on to condemn gluttony and says “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.” Proverbs 23:20-21.
Undoubtably, Daniel and his friends new this lesson from their upbringing and took these texts to heart.
Plants are powerful sources of nutrition. They provide vitamins, antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, and much more. We are blessed with a huge abundance of plants with which we can eat, with a rich variety of flavors, textures and colors. We could eat a new plant product each day for years and never get bored. There are so many thousands of different foods out there God gave us to eat! The most nutritious are often found growing in our lawns and woods.
This post is not a place where I will get into specific nutritional guidelines regarding what one should and should not eat. That is for our private consultations as we work one on one to make our diets more inline with the will of the Father’s original plan for our lives. Nothing is ever forced. Information is given, but the choice is yours what you will include and exclude from your life with no judgement on our part. We know how hard it can be to make changes when convicted. We pray we are supportive every step and can offer God’s loving hand in your life. If we can be of help to you to help train you in proper nutrition and lifestyle, do not hesitate to reach out!
Many blessings to you and yours!
Biblical Health And Wellness 