STUDIES found in the book « The Blue Zone » by Dan Buettner, states that 90% of health and longevity is determined by lifestyle.
Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic are two of the most popular for both publications. (https://www.bluezones.com/dan-buettner/)
The subject of health is one of the important subjects of the Bible. Living healthy lives on earth is a desire that God expresses CLEARLY in the Bible. The Apostle John under the inspiration of God, wished for his friends that they propser both physically and spiritually. (3 John 2)
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. The New King James Version. (1982). (3 Jn 1–4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Why would God want us to be physically healthy? It’s because physical health may enhance spiritual health. In good health, we feel better, we think better, we react better with others, and we can do more to accomplish good deeds. A clear, sharp mind is more easily connected with God, With the joy of good health and the peace and happiness of a connection with god, one is poised to enjoy life to the fullest.
THIS IS WHY GOD SHARED PRINCIPLES OF GOOD HEALTH WITH HIS PEOPLE
During slavery in Egypt, God’s people were at the risk of decaying health by sickness and disease. Taking them out of slavery, God gave them a promise for better health that would come with their choice:
25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
The New King James Version. (1982). (Ex 23:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
This promise, if followed, can protect from sickness and prevent premature and unnecessary death.
It is clear that God wants us to have good lives on earth in preparation for eternal life with Him.
Jesus says that the enemy of our lives is come « to steal , and to kill, and to destroy. » Jesus says, « I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. » The New King James Version. (1982). (Jn 10:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Abundant life, therefore, is the personal presence of God in our lives and Him giving us good sustained health.
In Mark 10:29 Jesus speaks of the multiple blessings in this life by being His disciple. He uses the expression of a benefiting a « hundred times more » in this life:
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. The New King James Version. (1982). (Mt 19:29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The “hundredfold” that Christians receive in this life consists in the joy of Christian fellowship and in the more real and intense satisfaction that comes with service for God. Paul speaks of “having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 460). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Once again, it is clear: God wants us to have good lives on earth in preparation for eternal life with Him.
HOW DOES THE BIBLE HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW TO BE HEALTHY?
FIRST, BY TAKING CARE OF OUR BODIES AS A DWELLING PLACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Some people say « its my body, I do what I like with it! »
The Apostle Paul guided by the Spirit of God explains to the Corinthians why they should not abuse their bodies:
…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. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Co 6:19–20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The better our health the easier our communication with God because this helps us to think, reason and to understand the Bible.
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, WE CAN FIND IN THE BIBLE, WAYS TO TREAT OUR BODIES THAT WILL GLORIFY GOD.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Co 10:31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Whatever you do…The injunction is broadened to include all the actions and plans of life. Christians are not at liberty to follow the promptings of the natural, unconverted heart and the impulses of the unregenerate body. They are under obligation to bring every thought, word, and deed into harmony with God’s revealed will (see Col. 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; AA 482, 483; 2T 590, 591). The religion of Christ concerns all the affairs of man, whether in the physical, the mental, or the spiritual realm. The redemption provided in Christ is a complete redemption that applies to the entire man (see Rom. 8:5–9, 13, 14; 1 Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:16, 24; 1 Thess. 5:23; CH 67, 68). Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 6, p. 750). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
God wants us to glorify Him in our eating and drinking but also in everything we do.
From the time of Adam, food was given by God to keep man healthy. 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. The New King James Version. (1982). (Ge 1:29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
WHAT FOODS DID GOD GIVE TO HUMANITY FOR FOOD?
FOOD AMONGST ANIMALS ON THE EARTH
After the flood, God modified the food plan and made restrictions on which animal meats may be used for food.
Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: 3 Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. The New King James Version. (1982). (Le 11:1–3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
WHAT TO EAT AND WHAT NOT TO EAT IS NOT A JEWISH REQUIREMENT, IT IS GOD’S REQUIREMENT. NO JEWS EXISTED BEFORE THE FLOOD WHEN GOD DESIGNATED CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS.
Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.”
The New King James Version. (1982). (Ge 7:1–4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
FROM THIS TEXT MENTIONED, THERE ARE ANIMALS GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO EAT.
Animals like pigs, rabbits, camels and horses are not clean meat for human consumption. God knows why it is not good for humans to eat them. Many diseases will be the long result of the consumption of these animals.
CONCERNING ANIMAL BLOOD – WHY GOD SAYS WE SHOULD NOT EAT IT?
And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ 12 Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’
13 “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; 14 for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’
The New King James Version. (1982). (Le 17:10–14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
10. Any manner of blood. God strictly forbade both Israelite and stranger (v. 12) to eat blood. That this is not merely a Jewish ordinance is clear from two facts: (1) It was first given to Noah, progenitor of the entire human race since the Flood (Gen. 9:4). (2) The very first legislation adopted by the NT church contained the provision, “Abstain from … blood, and from things strangled” (Acts 15:29).
The life of the flesh. Seven times in the books of Moses the prohibition against eating blood is repeated (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; 7:26, 27; 17:10; Deut. 12:16, 23, 24; 15:23). The reason given is that blood represents life; in fact, the blood is the life. This is true in a very literal sense. The blood carries nourishment, strength, and warmth to every part of the body, and carries away all that harms and destroys. Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 782–783). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
WE UNDERSTAND WHY GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO EAT THE FLESH WITH THE BLOOD IN IT.
FOOD AMONGST THE CREATURES OF THE WATERS
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. The New King James Version. (1982). (Le 11:9–10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Note: Oysters, shellfish, lobsters, crabs, catfish, and others are creatures that help to clean the waters of dead matter. They are important to the ecosystem and to clean water supply. Also, Once again, God knows why it is not good for humans to eat them. Many diseases will be the long result of the consumption of these creatures.
FOOD AMONGST THE BIRDS OF THE AIR
And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, 14 the kite, and the falcon after its kind; 15 every raven after its kind, 16 the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; 17 the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; 18 the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; 19 the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. The New King James Version. (1982). (Le 11:13–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
LEVITICUS 11:44-46
44 For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 45 For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46 ‘This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, 47 to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’ ” The New King James Version. (1982). (Le 11:44–47). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Ye shall be holy. Apparently there is a close connection between holiness and dietary habits. Holiness therefore includes obedience to the laws of God that relate to the physical being. Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 755). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL
God inspired Solomon to write these truths about life experiences.
“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” The New King James Version. (1982). (Pr 20:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
“Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.”
The New King James Version. (1982). (Pr 23:31–33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Alcohol drinking rushes blood from internal organs to the skin giving a sensation of feeling warm but the body is losing its core temperature. Alcohol drinking reduces the body’s ability to shiver which is the body’s way of creating warmth. Alcohol drinking brings blood to the skin and make you feel warmer, the body then increases sweating to cool down and decrease body temperature. ALCOHOL DRINKING CREATES HYPOTHERMIA-RELATED INJURIES AND DEATHS, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER. (For more info: US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine)
The Bible speaks very clearly about the dangers of alcohol use – it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.
While some Bible characters drank alcohol, it was never a positive message from God to do so. NOT BECAUSE SOME BIBLE CHARACTERS DRANK ALCOHOL THAT IT IS TO BE DONE BY US TODAY. SOME BIBLE CHARACTERS PRACTICED BIGAMY AND SLAVERY BUT THOSE ARE NO EXAMPLES FOR US TODAY. WE MUST LEARN TO SEPARATE THE CULTURAL PRACTICE FROM THE MESSAGE OF GOD AND STICK TO THE MESSAGE. Let us learn to examine all things and hold on to the good.
THE MESSAGE OF GOD IS THAT DRINKING ALCOHOL IS DANGEROUS FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING;
WHAT WINE GOD SAYS WE SHOULD DRINK?
As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all. The New King James Version. (1982). (Is 65:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
FIND YOUR JUICE FROM THE CLUSTERS OF GRAPES – THAT IS THE JUICE THAT WILL NOT bite like a serpent, And sting like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.
To all alcohol lovers, just think of it. God would not inspire the Bible writers to warn of the dangers of alcohol drinks and then turn water in alcohol at the wedding of Cana, (John 2:1-11). That would mean that God gave them alcohol when they were already full and therefore susceptible to be drunk. That is just not consistent with God. Jesus turned water into fresh grape juice – the best ever. It was entirely free from all fermentation. The best that had ever been tasted.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO DRINK ALCOHOL BASED ON ANY PRACTICE IN THE BIBLE.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME COMMON EXCUSES FROM THE BIBLE USED BY SOME TO EAT UNCLEAN FOODS AND DRINK ALCOHOL:
PETER’S VISION OF UNCLEAN ANIMALS
The vision of Peter in Acts 10 « Rise, kill and eat » can no longer be used as an excuse to eat anything unclean. The chapter explains itself: The unclean animals in verse 13 were used as a symbol of the Greeks considered by the Jews to be common people. In verse 28, Peter explains that God showed him not to call any person common or unclean.
PAUL – EVERYTHING TO BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING
When Paul tells Timothy that « every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if ti is received with prayer » (1 Timothy 4:4, 5); He is simply saying that all clean foods permitted by God should be received with prayer and and according to the word of God.
The Word of God permits only clean foods AND IT IS A HOLY THING TO EAT ONLY FOOD PRESCRIBED BY THE WORD OF GOD.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Timothy 4:4–5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
PAUL TO TIMOTHY: DRINK A LITTLE WINE FOR THE STOMACH’S SAKE
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ti 5:23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Wine. Gr. oinos (see on ch. 3:8). Some commentators believe that Paul here advocates the temperate use of fermented wine for medicinal purposes. They call attention to the fact that wine has, through the centuries, thus been used. But for medicinal purposes it was usually used for external purposes – as in the case of the good samaritan: 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The New King James Version. (1982). (Lk 10:33–34). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Others hold that Paul refers to unfermented grape juice, their reasoning being that he would not give advice inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, which warns against the use of intoxicating beverages (see Prov. 20:1; 23:29–32; cf. EGW ST Sept. 6, 1899). Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 7, p. 314). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Biblical evidence and context strongly suggest that Paul is recommending grape juice to Timothy as a remedy for his ailments.
PAUL – HE WHO IS WEAK EAT ONLY VEGETABLES
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. The New King James Version. (1982). (Ro 14:1–3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Weak in the faith. That is, one who has but a limited grasp of the principles of righteousness. He is eager to be saved and is willing to do whatever he believes is required of him. But in the immaturity of his Christian experience (see Heb. 5:11 to 6:2), and probably also as the result of former education and belief, he attempts to make his salvation more certain by the observance of certain rules and regulations that are in reality not binding upon him. To him these regulations assume great importance. He regards them as absolutely binding upon him for salvation, and he is distressed and confused when he sees other Christians about him, especially those who seem to be more experienced, who do not share his scruples. Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 6, p. 634). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
1. PAUL IS NOT SAYING VEGETARIANS ARE WEAK.
2. PAUL IS NOT SAYING WE CAN EAT ANYTHING INCLUDING UNCLEAN FOODS.
3. PAUL IS SPEAKING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE DISPUTE OVER EATING MEAT OF ANIMALS OFFERED TO IDOLS – 1 CORINTHIANS 8 IS THE ONLY REFERENCE TO HELP US UNDERSTAND ROMANS 14.
SO, WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IN THIS CONTEXT IS THAT THE WEAK IS THE SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE.
– THE SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE CHRISTIAN BINDS UPON ONESELF REGULATIONS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO SECURE HIS SALVATION.
– THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDS THE SCRIPTURE AND SALVATION AND DOES NOT ENCUMBER UPON ONESELF UNNECESSARY REGULATIONS. THEY APPLY THEIR ENERGY TO THE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY. (HOWEVER, THE MATURE CHRISTIAN MAY SOMETIMES GIVE UP DOING CERTAINS THINGS FOR AWHILE IN ORDER TO HELP THE WEAK FROM BEING DISCOURAGED).
– THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO EAT UNCLEAN FOODS. (THAT WOULD BE TO TAKE THE TEXT OUT OF CONTEXT). THIS IS ABOUT FOODS OFFERED TO IDOLS. THE « WEAK » DOES NOT EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS EVEN THOUGH IDOLS ARE NOTHING AND CAN DO NOTHING TO THE FOOD.
SMOKING
BECAUSE ALL SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCES POINT TO SMOKING AS A CAUSE OF TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO THE HUMAN BODY AND MIND; SMOKING IS NOT A WAY OF GLORIFYING GOD.
LETS RECAP
1. God promises to keep us from sickness and prevent premature and unnecessary death.
25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. The New King James Version. (1982). (Ex 23:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. God wants us to have good lives on earth in preparation for eternal life with Him;
Jesus says, « I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. » The New King James Version. (1982). (Jn 10:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
3. WE SHOULD NOT ABUSE OUR BODIES. IT’S THE TEMPLE OF GOD.
…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. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Co 6:19–20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The better our health the easier our communication with God because this helps us to think, reason and to understand the Bible.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Co 10:31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
4. IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD, WE EAT WHAT HE RECOMMENDS:
– Animals that have all three points: divided hoof, cloven hoof, and chews the cud, Lev 11.
– birds as listed in Lev 11.
– creatures of the waters that have fins and scales, Lev 11.
5. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HONOR GOD WITH OUR BODIES
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The New King James Version. (1982). (Ro 12:1–2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A VEGETARIAN TO BE SAVED OR TO GO TO HEAVEN. THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH THAT HEALTHY LIFESTYLE GIVES ETERNAL LIFE.
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT SALVATION COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ALONE (Ephesians 2:8). THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THERE ARE MANY BLESSINGS IN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE THAT CAN KEEP YOU FROM SICKNESS, DISEASE AND IMMATURE DEATH.
DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS REFUSED THE UNCLEAN FOOD OF THE KING OF BABYLON, AND WAS BLESSED WITH SUPERIOR HEALTH IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHERS.
LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD – WE CAN TAKE STEPS TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST – TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO WATCH VIDEO: https://player.vimeo.com/video/410068277
MANY ARE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY SICK AND DYING BECAUSE OF HOW THEY TREAT THEIR BODIES.
WITH GOD’S HELP, YOU CAN ADOPT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND SAY, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT GIVES ME STRENGTH. Phil 4:13.
MAKE A NEW START
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is well able to provide us strength to make changes in our lives. God also becomes our strength to live lives that are entirely committed to bringing Him glory. What seems impossible to us in our human weaknesses is possible with God in His divine strength. God is able to help anyone enjoy the blessings that come from following His principles for good health.
Are you willing to surrender your life to God and accept His principles for better physical and spiritual health?
To learn more, you may contact us for Bible studies, questions about today’s sermon, or for a special request.
Sean Dowding
pastor@fwpcenter.org
(845) 366-5910
Robert Webb
rwebb@fwpcenter.org
(914) 548-2386