Biblical Health Principles

The Bible rates health right near the top of the list in importance (3 John 1:2). Man's mind, spiritual nature, and body are all interrelated and interdependent. Yahweh gave health rules because He knows what is best for the human body (Deuteronomy 6:24, Exodus 23:25). A Hebrew should eat and drink all to the glory of Yahweh - using only "that which is good" (Isaiah 55:2, 1Cor.10:31). If Yahweh says a thing is not fit to eat, He must have a good reason. He is not a harsh dictator, but a loving Father. All His counsel is for our good, always. So if Yahweh withholds a thing from us, it is because it is not a good thing for us (Psalm 84:11). The diet Yahweh gave people at the beginning of Creation was fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds (Genesis 1:29, 2:16; 3:18).

Forbidden Foods 

These items are unclean and forbidden: All land animals which do not have a split hoof and chew the cud (Deuteronomy 14:6); all fish and water creatures that do not have both fins and scales (Deuteronomy 14:9); all birds of prey, carrion eaters, and fish eaters (Leviticus 11:13-20), and most "creeping things" (or invertebrates) are also unclean (Leviticus 11:21-47). Also, if a clean food touches any unclean food, the clean food must not be eaten (Leviticus 7:19).

Alcohol *

The Bible clearly forbids the use of alcoholic beverages to induce drunkenness (Leviticus 10:9, Deuteronomy 21:10; 29:19, 1Samuel 1:14, 1Kings 16:9-10, Psalm 69:2, Proverbs 20:1; 21:17; 23:20-21,29-35; 26:9; 31:4-7, Isaiah 5:11-12,22; 19:14; 24:9,11; 28:1,3,7; 56:12, Jeremiah 25:27, Ezekiel 44:21, Hosea 4:11; 7:5,14, Joel 1:5; 3:3, Amos 2:8,12, Micah 2:11, Nahum 1:10, Habakkuk 2:5,15-16, Matthew 24:49, Luke 12:45; 21:34, Romans 13:13, 1Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Thes.5:7, 1 Peter 4:7). There is no blessing in that which tends to intoxicate and confuse the thinking. Yahshua did not sanction the use of a beverage which weakens the moral inhibitions, reducing the power of effective decision making and causes drunkenness. * 

Tobacco

The Bible gives six reasons why the use of tobacco is displeasing to Yahweh: 1- The use of tobacco injures health and defiles the body (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). 2- Nicotine is a narcotic that enslaves people (Romans 6:16). 3- The tobacco habit is unclean (2 Corinthians 6:17). 4- The use of tobacco wastes money (Isaiah 55:2). 5- The use of tobacco never draws anyone closer to Yahshua (1 Peter 2:11). 6- The use of tobacco shortens life (Exodus 20:13). Even though it is slow murder, it is still murder. It is really preposterous to think of Yahshua using tobacco in any form, isn't it?

Sensible Principles

Some of the simple, yet very important, health laws found in the Bible are to: Eat your meals at regular intervals (Ecc.10:17). Do not eat animal fat or blood (Gen.9:4, Lev.3:17; 7:23-27; 17:10-14, Deut.12:16). [Note: Recent scientific studies have confirmed the fact that most heart attacks result from a high cholesterol level in the blood -and that the use of "fats" is largely responsible for this high level. Also, the blood can transfer diseases. Science is just catching up with the Bible] Avoid eating animals that were strangled (Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25). Don't overeat (Prov.23:2, Luke 21:34). Don't harbor envy or hold grudges (Prov.14:30, Mat.5:23, 24). Maintain a cheerful, happy disposition (Prov.17:22; 23:7). Put full trust in the Lord (Prov.4:20-22; 19:23). Balance work and exercise with sleep and rest (Exo.20:9, 10, Ecc.2:22, 23; 5:12, Psalm 127:2). Keep your body clean (Isa.52:11). Be temperate in all things (1 Cor.9:25, Phil.4:5). Avoid all harmful stimulants [Note: Medical science has confirmed the fact that some tea, coffee, and soft drinks that contain the addictive drug caffeine and other harmful ingredients are all positively damaging to the human body] Make mealtime a happy time (Ecc.3:13). Help those who are in need (Isaiah 58:6-8). Bury body waste to avoid disease (Deut.23:12-13). [Note: This is obviously for health reasons, because history and science has shown that if this was not done, diseases would spread and people would die from them]

Those who break Yahweh's rules regarding the care of the body machine will reap broken bodies and burned-out lives (Galatians 6:7), just as one who abuses his automobile will have serious car trouble. And those who continue to break Yahweh's laws of health will ultimately be destroyed by the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Yahweh's health laws are not arbitrary. They are natural, established laws of the universe, like the law of gravity. Ignoring these laws always brings certain disastrous results.

Pure and Impure

Nothing defiling or unclean will be permitted in Yahweh's kingdom (Revelation 21:27, Ezekiel 11:21). The use of improper foods defile a person (Daniel 1:8). Choosing their "own ways" and that in which Yahweh "delighted not" may possibly cost people their eternal salvation (Isaiah 66:3-4), especially eating pork and swine's flesh(Isaiah 66:15-17), because it's considered rebellion against Yahweh.

Sincere Hebrews will bring their lives into harmony with Yahweh's rules, because they love Him (2 Cor.7:1, 1 John 3:3, John 14:15). Yahweh's counsel and rules are always for our good, just as good parents' rules and counsel are best for their children. Yahweh holds us accountable (James 4:17). The reason for restricting our diet is because we are the holy children of Yahweh (Deut.14:1-3).

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