Biblical Health Laws: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellness

Each day brings new headlines: outbreaks of foodborne illness, heated debates over diet trends, growing concerns about mysterious ingredients and much more.

These headlines reflect our culture’s growing preoccupation with the food we eat and how it impacts our health and well-being. Today debates over food and health dominate social media feeds and political discourse like never before. The verdict is in: Americans are sick of being sick.

Unsurprisingly, consumer skepticism is on the rise as more people demand better for themselves and their families and challenge the status quo when it comes to food quality, ingredients and sourcing. In light of these growing frustrations, many have chosen to take matters into their own hands by embarking on a quest to transform their health and address the root cause of many chronic health issues.

Setting debates and politics aside, the desire to steward one’s health is not only responsible—it’s biblical. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are a temple and that we are to treat them as such. But this isn’t all the Bible has to say in regard to our health.

God’s Word also contains an array of tried-and-true laws and principles concerning our physical, mental and spiritual health. These divine laws and principles allow us to take a proactive approach, preventing many health problems before they arise. And when our health does suffer, Scripture also reveals the true source of all healing.

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t solid health principles to be learned from research and sources outside the Bible. There certainly are. However, the health guidance given in God’s Word should be our foundation.

Though commonly overlooked and frequently dismissed, the Bible is truly an indispensable resource for those seeking to live happier, healthier lives. Keep reading to discover the valuable insights the Bible has to offer.

Biblical principles for healthy living: Clean and unclean meats

When it comes to improving our health, food is a crucial component. And while the Internet offers a plethora of advice regarding which foods to eat and which to avoid, the Bible also has a great deal to say about which foods are suitable for consumption—and which are not.

For instance, Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are dedicated to defining which meats God deems as clean (permissible for consumption) and which He deems as unclean (not intended for human consumption).

Though many of the animals listed are not commonly eaten in most cultures, there are a few that should catch our attention, such as pork and shellfish.

Interestingly, even though God does not provide a specific reason for deeming a particular animal unclean, science often helps fill in the gaps. As it turns out, pigs and shellfish share a common trait: both are scavengers that consume waste.

While these animals clearly play an important role within their respective ecosystems, they weren’t designed to be consumed by humans.

What does the New Testament really say about clean and unclean meats?

While God’s laws concerning clean and unclean meats are profound, they are often dismissed. In an effort to remove any obligation to keep this aspect of God’s law, many twist various passages in the New Testament—or take them entirely out of context—to claim these laws were abolished.

But, upon closer examination, we find that this simply isn’t true. God designed these laws for our benefit, and He never intended for them to be removed.

The following articles from our Life, Hope & Truth website address some of the most commonly cited verses in support of this argument: “Acts 10: Did Peter’s Vision Abolish the Clean and Unclean Laws?” “Did Jesus Cleanse All Meats?” and “1 Timothy 4:1-5: Does It Abolish the Law of Clean and Unclean Meats?”

Avoiding fat and blood

In addition to distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, the Bible also specifies which parts of an animal are permissible to eat, and which are not. Leviticus 3:17 and 7:22-27 clearly state that, although most of a clean animal can be eaten, the fat and the blood are strictly prohibited.

While this prohibition may seem a bit odd, research reveals potential health risks associated with each. For instance, consuming the blood of an animal puts us at risk for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, while eating fat increases our likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease over time.

Moderation

The Bible also underscores the importance of balance in food and drink.

For example, in the first-century world of uncertain water sources, Paul advised Timothy, “Use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). However, the Bible also warns us numerous times about the dangers of drunkenness and alcohol abuse (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 13:13).

Sanitation laws

In our modern age, it’s easy to overlook just how vital rules and regulations regarding sanitation and hygiene are in abating and preventing sickness. After all, many of us live in countries where these systems have been in place for our entire lives.

But this wasn’t the case in the ancient world. The knowledge that God provided Israel through His law was ahead of its time and laid the groundwork for many modern sanitation practices, such as waste disposal (Deuteronomy 23:12-14), handwashing, quarantine and more (Leviticus chapters 11-15).

Movement and exercise

The Bible doesn’t emphasize physical exercise extensively, likely because most people throughout history automatically got a lot of exercise through their work and daily chores (though this is no longer true in many nations today). However, the Bible does acknowledge its value in maintaining health and strength. For instance, 1 Timothy 4:8 highlights that, while godliness is paramount, physical training is also of value.

While the benefits of exercise are widely recognized, finding time for it in our busy schedules can be a real challenge. Additionally, long workouts and costly gym memberships aren’t practical for many of us. But this shouldn’t discourage us.

According to an article by the Mayo Clinic, “Physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.”

The article goes on to list a number of health benefits we can glean simply from walking, such as improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger bones, improved muscle endurance, strengthened immune system and much more.

Mental and spiritual health

Thus far, we’ve focused on physical health. But this is only half the picture. In order to be truly healthy, we must attend to our mental and spiritual needs as well. Unfortunately, this is where society’s recommendations come up short. Though there is a great deal of advice available regarding how to improve our mental health, most resources fail to mention the most important factor of all—our connection with our Creator.

In Proverbs 4:20-22, King Solomon shared wisdom he received from God: “Give attention to my words  . . for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.”

God’s Word offers benefits that extend beyond the physical. When we are overwhelmed with the stresses of life or burdened with anxieties, delving into the Bible can grant us peace of mind (Isaiah 26:3), relief from anxiety (Psalm 94:19; Philippians 4:6-7) and encouragement (Psalm 119:50) in a way that nothing else can.

God our Healer

Spending time studying God’s Word comes with an additional benefit—it reveals God’s role as our Healer (Psalm 103:2-3; James 5:14-15).

We have a responsibility to follow God’s laws to the best of our ability, but even our best efforts won’t guarantee us perfect health over the course of our lives. When we do inevitably encounter health challenges, we can be comforted by God’s promise: “I am the LORD who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).

Health and healing in the Kingdom of God

For many, the pursuit of better health feels like an uphill battle, often overshadowed by the state of the world around us. After all, what’s the point of striving to eat well when the quality of our food is so often compromised? How can we reclaim our health when the very environment we live in seems to be working against us?

These are valid concerns. Humanity is indeed facing the consequences of ignoring God’s laws (Leviticus 26:14-16). But that doesn’t mean that our efforts are in vain. There is hope.

When Jesus Christ returns, the whole world will experience God’s miraculous healing (Isaiah 35:5-6). Even the land will be restored, equipping it to support human life the way God intended (Isaiah 51:3; Joel 2:22-24).

Fearfully and wonderfully made

By embracing the principles found in the Bible, we can take meaningful steps toward a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. In doing so, we grow in our appreciation for the God who created us, cares for us and continually sustains us. Never forget that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

May the day come soon when the entire world can share in God’s blessing of true, lasting health.