Is food important to God? Does the Bible say much about food and health. Some people think it does not say much; but let us take a look at it for ourselves. We might be surprised to see that there is quite a lot in the Bible about food and health. John was very concerned about Gaius’ health and said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III John verse 2)
Some people feel that health should not be a main focus in our lives, and a verse often quoted to support this view says, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (I Timothy 4:8) However, this verse does not say, “Never mind trying to exercise because it is not important anyway. It will not profit you.” No, the verse is simply saying that, in comparison to exercising godliness, bodily exercise profits little. That is because bodily exercise profits only for the time we are here on earth, while godliness profits both in this life and in that which is to come. If taking proper care of our bodies was not important, God would not have talked so much about it in the Scriptures.
Not only are our bodies important; but, in order to enjoy good health, we need to cultivate healthy habits for mind, body, and spirit. We can change our habits and build healthy ones with the help of the Lord. Maturing in the Lord and walking more closely with Him helps us to implement and maintain good healthy conduct and actions in all areas of our life.
Sadly, we often go through our life with minds that are not even thinking about God. We do not give our health the proper priority because it is easier and much more enjoyable (for a time) to do the things that make us feel “happy” and give us “pleasure.” I Corinthians 6:19,20 says, “19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Our bodies belong to God just as much as our spirits. In Romans 12:1, we are told to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God. In what condition do we want to keep God’s temple? What kind of sacrifice do we want to offer to God? It seems that too often we love to feel “comfortable,” and we enjoy the pleasure of indulging in what we desire rather than taking care of this temple God has given to us. Physical activity is important as well. If we are not physically active, this can also cause our bodies to suffer. Exercise of both minds and bodies is vital.
God provided food for our enjoyment, but are we enjoying the foods He provided or the altered “foods” that man creates in factories and labs? Which foods would better nourish these temples? How do we know what is good for the temple over which the Lord made us stewards? Where can we learn God’s principles for taking care of our bodies.
In Psalm 119:92,93, we see that the source of our strength, vitality, and knowledge about health come from God’s word because God’s word is the place where wisdom is found, the place where the heart finds understanding. (See also Proverbs 2:1,2)
In Proverbs 2:6, we see that it is by the word of God that the Lord imparts to us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We learn more about these things by walking closely with Jesus Christ. We walk closely with Jesus Christ by listening to His word and treasuring Him. This is fellowship with Jesus, and God calls us to have this fellowship. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:9)
* Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. (Psalm 119:92,93)
** My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. (Proverbs 2:1,2)
*** For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)