What does the Bible say about what foods we should eat? | GotQuestions.org

Dietary Laws for Israel in Leviticus

Today's question is, what does the Bible say about what foods we should eat? In this video I'll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Then afterwards, as always, I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

Leviticus chapter 11 lists the dietary restrictions God gave to the nation of Israel. The dietary laws included prohibitions against eating pork, shrimp, shellfish, and many types of seafood, most insects, scavenger birds, and various other animals.

Jesus Declares All Foods Clean

The dietary rules were never intended to apply to anyone other than the Israelites. The purpose of the food laws was to make the Israelites distinct from all other nations. After this purpose had ended, Jesus declared all foods clean.

Mark 7, verse 19, God gave the apostle Peter a vision in which he declared that formerly unclean animals could be eaten. Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Acts 10, verse 15. When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament law, Romans 10, verse 4.

Christian Freedom and Consideration for Others

This includes the laws regarding clean and unclean foods. Romans 14, verses 1–23 teaches us that not everyone is mature enough in the faith to accept the fact that all foods are clean. As a result, if we are with someone who would be offended by our eating unclean food, we should give up our right to do so, as to not offend the other person.

We have the right to eat whatever we want, but we do not have the right to offend other people, even if they are wrong. For the Christian in this age, though, we have freedom to eat whatever we wish as long as it does not cause someone else to stumble in his or her faith.

Self-Control in the New Covenant of Grace

In the new covenant of grace, the Bible is far more concerned with how much we eat than what foods Christians eat. Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits such as those of the mind—lust, covetousness, unrighteous hatred or anger—and unable to keep our mouths from gossip or strife.

As Christians, we are not to let our appetites control us, rather, we are to control them 2 Peter 1 -5 -7. Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content.

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