We read in Genesis 1:27 “. . . God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
We were created in God’s image in the beginning. Our Creator is vitally interested in our spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Our physical lifestyle, worship habits, and mental education matter to Him. Adam and Eve, though created as adults, were almost like new born babies, as far as knowledge goes. They had much to learn, much to understand about their Creator’s plans for their lives. They possessed wonderful potential for endless mental and spiritual growth, and they were in perfect physical health.
Though sin marred God’s plans for mankind, our Creator and Redeemer had made provision for this emergency in past eternity. God made us with the power of choice. This is the only way He could have beings who would love Him without fear. God did not make us to be robots or slaves.
Our loving Creator provided a special diet for us in the beginning. This diet furnished all the needed nutrients for healthy bodies and minds. Sin changed everything tremendously. We still need the same nutrients as given to us in the garden of Eden. The plan for our best diet was interrupted by man’s fall and by the lack of plant foods after the flood. But He still wants us to get back to that original diet, for it is the only kind of diet which really does us the best good.
As man partook of this changed diet, his years on earth became less and less. Before the flood men lived to ripe old ages. The longest living man, Methusalah, lived to be 969 years old. Gradually the life span decreased. We have ample proof that this was largely due to what men ate and drank.
What was the diet in the beginning? Let’s read it in Genesis1:29: “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
After mankind’s sin vegetables were added (herbs of the field). This probably included the medicinal herbs, which we find in herbal books. Genesis 3:18-19 ”. . . and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.”
After the flood it was necessary to eat some animal flesh, etc. because the earth was depleted of plant life to a tremendous degree. In the time of ancient Israel God gave restrictions on flesh which was unclean (and therefore unsafe) and that which was clean. These foods still should be considered unclean, for much degeneration has taken place since then. In fact, if you study into the issue you may see that just about all animal food has become unclean, due to diseases, use of hormones, antibiotics. Man and animals are unhealthy to a great extent.
We need to deal with these problems in ways which God can approve and bless. Would God have us get back to the Eden diet? Does He have other natural laws which will help us to regain some of our lost mental and physical blessings, and in turn, spiritual blessings? Let’s see what the Bible says about some of this.
In 1 Cor. 3:16-17 Paul tells us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.”
Again, in 1Cor. 6:19, 20 we read, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
To top it off, Paul says in 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This seems pretty clear God is interested in everything we do, including the physical, mental, and spiritual life. It is obvious what we eat will have a profound affect on every part us. You don’t have to delve very deep into scientific studies to see how the mental and physical effect one another.
If you read in the last part of the book of Revelation you find our diet in heaven is plant based, for no animal will suffer or harm any other animal. There will be no need to kill an animal for food. The nutrients in foods will be perfectly balanced and all food will be delicious to the taste. No one who reaches our heavenly abode will crave “the fleshpots of Egypt.”
We read in 1 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” In the old and new testament times, God knew we needed to have a healthy lifestyle to be the people He wanted us to be. But He has been very patient with us.
The fruit of the Spirit includes temperance or self-control. Without this virtue, we cannot be all God would have us be as Christians. Yet, God is patient and longsuffering with us. He knows our frame. Remember, one of the temptations Christ suffered in His wilderness experience was on the point of appetite. He overcame this experience for our sake. As He overcame through strength from above, we also may overcome this powerful foe—appetite. Of course, when we study this out we realize our passions are involved in this too.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 we read: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Romans 12:1-2 ”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Those who believe sin is not involved with appetite should study this question out in the light of the Scriptures. What we eat and drink has definite affects on our emotions or feelings. The Bible lists gluttony right along with drunkenness. Improper eating and drinking dulls our minds and weakens our willpower. In fact, the texts above must include any poisonous material we take into our bodies. Just as beholding evil can cause us to sin or think evil thoughts. We can understand from these texts the Holy Spirit can have problems penetrating our brains under such conditions.
Does this mean we are not born again Christians at the present time, because we haven’t always regarded our Creator’s health laws? The Lord often goes about saving us in spite of ourselves. The Holy Spirit can get some things across to us, as a rule. But Christ is coming soon, and He wants to have a people who are ready to go through a time of trouble such as never was. It is important they be in the best health they can be.
The best health is gained through obeying God’s health laws to the best of our ability and knowledge, and through Christ’s strength. The more we learn and practice, the better off we are. If we know God has something better for us, but we close our eyes to it and make excuses, we are in danger.
Why would any born again Christian want to go against the laws of God, either the moral laws or His physical laws? Both were given to us for our good, our happiness here, as well as to prepare us for the return of our Saviour to take us to the place where we will partake of the best food ever—the fruit from the tree of life.
Adam and Eve were not allowed to eat of the tree of life when they sinned. God did not want immortal sinners. Sin brings nothing but misery and death. God loves us too much to allow that. He provided them, after sin, with the best diet possible.
Through thousands of years we have degenerated, all life on earth has degenerated—in spite of what evolutionists and some others try to tell us. But God still has plans for those who are willing to follow His plans. Our eternal happiness is vital to Him, so why would we not want to obey Him in all things, including our lifestyle habits.
God made us to be physical, mental, and spiritual beings--to use the powers God has given us for His glory. Our Creator’s glory is His character. He wants us to reflect this character, to have His agape love, and He knows the best way for us to gain it. Let’s submit ourselves to Him, trust Him, worship Him who loves us so much. –In His service, Kathryn Search
