This is Felicia Ferguson with Christian Mix 106, helping you build faith for the journey.
If you turn on the TV or scroll through social media, it seems like you see at least one ad touting the latest weight loss pill, exercise routine, or fad diet. While the pundits, magazine photographers, and social mediainfluencers may have swung the pendulum too far leading to body image issues, is there some biblical truth to this push for a lifestyle of health?
I’d say yes. Paul directs the Corinthians, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” As believers in Christ, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So taking care of that temple should be a priority. But what is biblical rather than social media based healthy living?
When Daniel was taken hostage by King Nebuchadnezzar, he and his three friends
refused to eat the rich and decadent foods of the Babylonian kingdom. The king’s chief eunuch, fearing for his life if the young men’s health suffered, begged Daniel to obey. But Daniel offered an alternative. Continuing to eat the healthy foods he had consumed back home. Long story short, Daniel was not only correct, but even healthier than others in the eunuch’s care.
Now, Daniel ate grains and vegetables, so basically a vegetarian or possibly vegan diet. But in Genesis chapter 9, God told Adam, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” So that doesn’t mean that only vegetarian or vegan diets are biblical. In fact, I think Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 25 should be our guide for a healthy eating lifestyle. “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.” Or in other words, eat in moderation.
No matter what diet plan you follow, vegan, vegetarian, keto, or even the seafood (meaning you see food and eat it), make sure that you’re prioritizing a lifestyle that allows you to be healthy for the kingdom work God prepared for you before you were born. And if your health isn’t great right now, use the opportunities available to you to reach out to non-believers you meet when you go to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, or even undergoing surgery.
Our health is a great blessing. Give thanks for it and God’s goodness toward you.
This is Felicia Ferguson. Thanks for listening to Christian Mix 106.
