The last several posts in this series have been looking at the topic of moderation in the Bible.

Introduction!

In the Introduction we noted that our high calling in Christ is to bring our bodies under subjection to Christ in every area — this includes food and drink. The Apostle Paul set a great example for us when he taught that he made his body a slave for the sake of the gospel. According to I Corinthians 9:27, Paul was active in the process of subduing his flesh, moment by moment. And we saw that it wasn’t only his “hope” to discipline his flesh — it was his practice through the Holy Spirit so he would not be disqualified from the race. And his discussion of this topic is presented in the midst of a discourse on food.

We, like the Apostle Paul, must master our bodies, rather than letting food (or anything) master us.

Read more: Eat Only What is Necessary: Introduction

Is Eating Too Much A Sin?

Next we looked at the topic of overeating. There we presented and expounded on 7 Bible verses that deal with self-control and food. Those verses were:

1. Proverbs 13:25: “The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.”
2. Proverbs 23:1-3: “When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, And put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great  appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food.”
3. Proverbs 25:16: “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it.”
4. Galatians 5:22-24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
5. I Corinthians 6:12-13: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.”
6. Titus 1:7,8: “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.”
7. I Corinthians 9:25-27: “but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

When we let food rule over us, rather than ruling over food — it becomes an idol. We must strive to achieve Paul’s mastery of the body through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and self-denial. God is not asking us to deny the great pleasures He has provided in the food kingdom. He is merely requiring that it not rule over us. If the foods we are eating, or the amounts of food we are eating are causing us to suffer in our health — then it has become an idol that we must cast off.

Learn more here: Is Eating Too Much a Sin? 7 Bible Verses on Overeating

Are You Eating Enough?

Next, we discussed the topic of not eating enough. It is actually possible to starve to death on a full stomach. God has provided foods as the means to nourish our bodies. When we don’t get the nutrition we need due to poor food choices or bad habits, it can destroy our health.

One doctor has identified 90 necessary nutrients for life:

• 60 essential minerals
• 16 essential vitamins
• 12 essential amino acids
• and 3 essential fatty acids

If we are not getting enough of these nutrients in ways that our body can assimilate, we become targets for sickness and disease.

Read more: Eat Until You Are Satisfied! (Are You Eating Enough?)

Do You Eat for Pleasure or Nourishment?

Next we explored the purpose for eating, which is to nourish the body. We noted that many people have abandoned the practice of eating food to nourish their bodies in preference for pleasing their palette. Pleasure eating, left unchecked, can harm the body in many ways by causing immediate displeasure from bloating, gas, and tiredness — or it can cause more series long-term conditions like sleeplessness, joint pain, arthritis, cancer, illness, and chronic conditions.

We also noted that food should taste good. In fact, God has designed it to taste very good. Even fruits and vegetables that are grown and harvested properly are beaming with flavor and nutrition. When we find foods that both nourish and please the palette — it is a win, win situation.

Which pleasure will win the day? The short-term pleasure of the taste? Or the longterm pleasures that can be enjoyed by living a healthy lifestyle through choosing nourishing foods?

Read more: Which Type of Eater Are You?

Food Is Designed to Energize!

And finally, we shared and discussed 14 Bible verses that demonstrate that food is designed to nourish and energize our bodies. Here are the verses:

1. Genesis 2:9: “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food.”
2. Genesis 45:11: “There I will also nourish you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.”‘
3. Genesis 47:12: “And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.”
4. Genesis 50:21: “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”
5. Acts 20:20: “It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home.”
6. Genesis 25:30: “And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.’”
7. I Samuel 28:22:  “So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way.”
8. I Kings 19:8: “So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.”
9. I Samuel 14:27-29: “But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary.  Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.’”
10. Psalm 104: 14-15: “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.”
11. Acts 9:19: “And he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus.”
12. Acts 27:34: “Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.”
13. I Timothy 6:8: “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
14. Matthew 10:9-10: “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.”

Read more about how these verses are applied here: Food Is Made To Energize the Body: 14 Bible Verses!

This sums up this section in our Biblical Health Study! Next we will conclude Principle #5: Healthy Blood Through Moderate Eating!

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Next: Principle #5: Healthy Blood Through Moderate Eating: Conclusion!

Return to: Biblical Health Study

Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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