Introduction

When one becomes Christ's, he finds he is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17), and every facet of his life is affected. He finds that he desires to live by every word of God. He eventually learns the Word of God, the Bible, contains dietary principles. This study guide will lead you to discover biblical principles pertaining to diet.

Evidence from Scripture

I CORINTHIANS 3:17 "If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

I CORINTHIANS 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

1. What do these verses teach us about how we are to treat our bodies?

2. What does it mean to defile the temple of God?

3. How does one glorify God in his body?

4. How does diet affect the body?

5. How do these verses apply to diet?

EXODUS 22:31 "And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat any meat which is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs."

6. Why should holiness affect what one eats?

7. What is bad about eating scavengers and animals killed by predators?

LEVITICUS 11:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'These are the animals which you may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth: (3) 'Among the beasts, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud -- that you may eat.'"

8. What animals are fit for human consumption?

9. List some common meats which are not fit for human consumption.

10. Can you think of any health reason why God would single out these animals as fit or unfit to eat?

LEVITICUS 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers that you may eat. (10) 'But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. (11) 'They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.'"

11. Name some fish can man eat?

12. Make a list of seafood that should not be eaten.

13. Can man eat any bird he chooses? Are fowl such as chicken and ducks acceptable? Read verses 13-19, and comment on guidelines to judge which birds are edible.

14. Does God also give instructions concerning insects, rodents, and reptiles? Read verses 20-23 and 29-31. Why do you think God is so specific?

LEVITICUS 3:17 "'This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.'"

15. What kind of fat is this -- animal or vegetable? Is it referring to "marbling" or that which surrounds the organs? Read verses 14-15 and comment.

16. What foods has man made that contain blood?

DEUTERONOMY 14:21 "You shall not eat anything that dies of itself ...."

17. How can an animal die of itself?

18. Why do you think that command is given? What could be bad about eating such a dead animal?

GENESIS 1:29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food."

19. God says vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits are good for man to eat. Why are they good?

20. What does this verse say about eating a variety of foods?

PHILIPPIANS 3:18 ... "they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly ...."

21. What does it mean that their belly is their god?

22. What effect(s) does routinely overeating have on a person?

23. How do you define "moderation"?

ROMANS 14:15 "Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. (17) For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (21) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak."

24. How can eating with others affect a Christian's choice of food? Why?

Summary

1. What message does God give Christians concerning diet?

2. Do people in our culture teach the same principles regarding diet?

3. What dietary principle do you follow?

For a more comprehensive study, we recommend the booklet, "What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats?".