Living Healthy

There is a radio commercial I hear frequently about a man who had a medical scare that turned out to be nothing, where he and family respond to the non-event by starting a typical diet and exercise regiment of this world. Sadly, even many Christians these days fall for false doctrines about diet and exercise that have been promoted by the world:

• Only eat organic raised produce.

• Eat a low carb, low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber diet.

• Avoid trans-fats, food colorings and chemicals.

• Avoid red meats, or meats all together.

• Spend multiple hours exercising at the gym.

What is all of this based on? Who established that these are the rules we need to follow for good health? Is any of this consistent with what is written in the Bible?

What many people don’t realize is that in today’s world, health habits have turned into a form of idolatry, and that the idol they are worshiping is the extremely flawed wisdom of man.

What is good health anyway?

• Is it following the U.S. government’s recommended daily allowances? -- Why do we so easily accept that the government’s recommendations are right? Did you know that the RDA for vitamin C is only 2% of what scientific studies show the human body optimally needs (about 4 grams daily for an average adult)?

• Is it a diet high in fiber and low in fat? -- I still don’t understand how we conclude that a substance with absolutely no nutritional content (fiber) is good for us, while a substance that provides us with the most concentrated source of energy essential for life (fat) is bad? Reality check!… People can and do live long lives eating food that contains no fiber whatsoever, but it is absolutely impossible to live without eating fat.

• Is it a diet void of chemicals, refinement, and artificiality? -- Did you know that organic foods have a higher risk of containing dangerous bacteria because they use organic fertilizers (animal manure and compost) and pest repellents instead of sterile chemicals. Did you also know that there is no chemical difference between a flavor component extracted naturally verses a component synthesized artificially. Some extremes of this idea go so far as to say that you shouldn’t eat sugar because it has been refined to almost 100% purity.

• Is it a practice of regular exercise? -- If one hour of exercise per day is good, doesn’t that mean 15 hours a day is even better? And what about people who seem to stay healthy with no exercise at all? Did you know that scientific evidence shows the life spans of fruit flies increase substantially (by 50%-100%) if you place them in an environment where they can’t fly, in other words less exercise, yet people always tend to disregard this fact as not applying to larger animals or humans.

• Do we conclude that anyone who looks like they are overweight must be eating too much or not exercising enough? -- Actually, every body metabolizes differently, so you might be surprised at how little some fat people eat, and how much some skinny people eat.

What does the Bible say?

According to the scriptures, unless we are trying to keep the Old Testament law the Bible mentions only a few reasonable things about diet:

• Gluttony begets poverty (Proverbs 23:20-21).

• Abstain from food sacrificed to idols, strangled animals and blood (Acts 15:28-29).

• Don’t judge others for choosing to eat or abstain from food differently than we do (Romans 14).

• Don’t worry about food purchased in the market or given to us by unbelievers (1Corinthians 10:25-31).

• The Bible also warns about diet fads of the end times (1Timothy 4:1-5).

Note that these scriptures are all about our relationship with God and other people, not about the nutrition content of the food itself. Remember that Jesus taught, it is not what enters a person’s mouth that defiles a man, it is what comes out (Matthew 15:10-11). And don't forget that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking (Romans 14:17).

As for exercise, even though we know the apostle Paul was an avid sports enthusiast, I can find only two scriptures in the entire Bible that mention exercise at all:

• Athletes exercise when they are training for a competition (1Corinthians 9:25).

• Exercise is of small value compared to spiritual matters (1 Timothy 4:8).

Often I have heard Christians go so far as to misquote 1Corinthians 3:16-17 as justification for rigorous diet and exercise programs:

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (1Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV)

What they really need to do is read down a few more verses:

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." (1Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV)

I think Paul explained the problem best in his letter to the Colossians:

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:20-24 NIV)

Where does good health really come from?

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. (Psalms 41:1-3 NIV)

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psams 103:2-5 NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV)

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30 NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 4:30-31 NIV)

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15 NIV)

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? … But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:25,33 NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galations 2:20 NIV)

Forget about diets and exercise regiments that you don’t enjoy. Eat what you like to eat in reasonable amounts (in other words don’t be a glutton). Exercise in doing your work, and in ways that you enjoy. And let your good health come from God and from living your life according to His word.

If God is able to protect us from deadly poisons (Mark 16:17-18), then He is more than able to make the food we eat safe and nourishing.


James :)