5 Compelling Reasons You Should Also Observe God’s Food Law

Should Christians follow God's Food...
Should Christians follow God's Food Law? (5 Bible Verses Give Us the Answer)

Many people today do not follow God’s food law (Leviticus 11). Be it Christian or not, it seems that people ignore this vital law that has something to do with our health and well-being. Is it really true that we, as Christians, are free to eat whatever we want to eat? Or does God care about our diet so much that He made a distinction between clean and unclean meat?

In this post, let me give you 5 important reasons why you need to observe God’s food law, and I’m sure these reasons should be good enough for you to stop and think about the food that you consume.

(Before you read the reasons below, it is worth reading Leviticus 11 to learn more about which foods God distinguished as fit for human consumption and which are not.)

5 Compelling Reasons You Should Also Observe God_s Food Law

Reason #1: Because God commanded it

It might be a surprise to you, but the truth is that from Genesis to Revelation, YOU WILL NEVER FIND A SINGLE SCRIPTURE FREEING US FROM THE FOOD LAW OF GOD. In fact, most scriptures that are used to support the claim that the food law of God is already done away with are actually misinterpreted and taken out of context. While it is good for me to discuss this topic, it would be better to do it for another blog post. The Bible clearly states that the food law is not only applicable to the Israelites but also to God’s people today.

Reason #2: Because the food law is for our benefit

The food law is not there to prevent us from enjoying what we eat, but it is for our own good. Time and again, modern medical science discovers that all of the “unclean” meat listed in Leviticus 11 is not good for our bodies. It can cause diseases and parasitism within the body. When the food law was given to the ancient people of God, they don’t have the same knowledge as we have now. There is no way that they will know that pork or camel or horse meat is bad for their health. But God knows. Thus He forbade His people from eating these abominable meats (yes, that’s what God calls unclean meats, abominable).

Reason #3: Because the food law is still in effect even after Christ’s death

Many people say that the food law was already done away with and was nailed to the cross. Of course, this is never the case. After more than 30 years of Christ’s death, Peter was told in a vision that he should “Rise… kill and eat” (Acts 10:13) animals including those listed as unclean in Leviticus 11. But what was Peter’s response? He said, “Not so, Lord! For I have NEVER eaten anything common or unclean” (Acts 10:14).

We find later that God was telling Peter that He made the Gentiles clean already and salvation is available to them (Acts 10:28). In addition to this, in a prophecy, thousands of years after Christ’s death, we still read that the distinction between unclean and clean meats are still in effect. This is evident as we read Revelation 18:2, which mentions unclean birds even during Christ’s second coming!

(Here’s a related blog I wrote: 5 Scriptures that Prove God’s Food Laws are Still Binding)

Reason #4: Because following the food law is an act of faith and obedience to God

When God says that we shouldn’t eat something, we need to be alert and be on our feet. God is serious when He commanded us that we must not eat unclean meat. He is concerned with our health, and He wants us to be in good health. We must have faith in God that what He says is for our own good. That faith should be coupled with obedience as well.

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Reason #5: Because we would rather please God rather than my stomach

Philippians 3:19 says, “Their end is destruction, THEIR GOD IS THEIR BELLY, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Is your belly your own god?

Yes, unclean food may be delicious. However, when we eat unclean meat, we only please our taste buds, but we don’t please God. Our Creator wants us to be healthy, and when we are not, God is sad. WE NEED TO GLORIFY GOD IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

Are the foods we eat glorify God?

Can we glorify and serve God while we put disgusting foods in our mouths, foods that God considered abominable (Leviticus 11:10)? We need to please God in everything that we do, including the food we eat.

Final words

The Apostle Paul tells us, Romans 12:1-2:

“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to PRESENT YOUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

It is clear that God wants us to be holy. We cannot be holy if what we eat is unclean and unholy.

God wants us to be separate, distinct, and sanctified from the world. This world has made their belly their own god and ignored the food laws of God. However, we, the true and genuine Christians, have a different calling and we are held to a HIGHER STANDARD. Therefore, follow God and His food law, and you will surely reap many benefits and blessing from God.


Book recommendation

Title: Eating by the Book: What the Bible Says about Food, Fat, Fitness and Faith

Book Description:

Eating by the Book

Does the Bible hold the secrets to optimal health? Nutritionist David Meinz has researched and discovered what the Bible says about what you eat–and the principles are surprisingly simple. With “Eating By The Book” you’ll learn a spiritually-based, scientifically-sound, common-sense plan for maximizing your health. You’ll learn: (1) The foods you should eat. (2) The right way to lose weight. (3) Preventing the biggest killer. (4) Minimizing your risk of cancer. (5) Your best manual for health–The Bible. (Grab your copy here!)


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4 thoughts on “5 Compelling Reasons You Should Also Observe God’s Food Law

  1. The eating of “unclean” food is not mentioned as sin either in the Ten Commandments as well as in the Love Laws of Our Lord.. How eating “unclean” food is considered as sin while it is a non spiritual thing and not related to our spiritual salvation? This eating of unclean food came along with other commands of ritual things should be done by the Israelites in the old testament days If we have to follows this then why we have not been asked to follow all other ” commands” mentioned in the book of Leviticus?

    • Hi Samuelson,

      Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate your interest in this topic. God commanded that we must avoid unclean meats that He considers to be “abominable.” In fact, God tells us why He wants us to abstain from unclean meats in Leviticus 11:44-45:

      “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.”

      In short, God wants us to be holy.

      We need to remember that we are now the spiritual Israel of God (Galatians 3:29).

      The food laws is more than just a ritualistic command. It serves as a purpose that helps us to keep our bodies healthy by not consuming meats that are unclean by God’s standard. As what was mentioned in my blog, the distinction of clean and unclean meats still remains even during the time of Christ’s second coming. If it is an obsolete law, then why did the Apostles and first-century church continued to observe it?

      We can only arrive at the absolute conclusion that Christians are still admonished and commanded to keep God’s food law.

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