Good medical care is priceless—but wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t need doctors anymore? Well, did you know there is a proven way to put a lot of doctors out of work? … Take care of your body! Scientists have sounded the alarm about cholesterol, tobacco, stress, obesity, and alcohol, so why press your luck? God truly cares how you treat your body, and He’s given you a free health plan to go by—the Bible! For amazing facts about how you can have abundant health and longer life, look over this Study Guide—but be sure to read it all before jumping to conclusions!
1. Are health principles really a part of true Bible religion?
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).
Answer: Yes. The Bible rates health right near the top of the list in importance. A person’s mind, spiritual nature, and body are all interrelated and interdependent. What affects one affects the others. If the body is misused, the mind and the spiritual nature cannot become what God planned they should be—and you won’t be able to live an abundant life. (See John 10:10.)
2. Why did God give health principles to His people?
"The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive” (Deuteronomy 6:24).
“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” (Exodus 23:25).
Answer: God gave health principles because He knows what is best for the human body. Automobile manufacturers place an operations manual in the glove compartment of each new car because they know what is best for their creation. God, who made our bodies, also has an “operations manual.” It is the Bible. Ignoring God’s “operations manual” often results in disease, twisted thinking, and burned-out lives, just as abusing a car can result in serious car trouble. Following God’s principles results in “saving health” (Psalm 67:2 KJV) and more abundant life (John 10:10). With our cooperation, God can use these great health laws to significantly reduce and eliminate the effects of the diseases of Satan (Psalm 103:2, 3).
3. Do God’s health principles have anything to do with eating and drinking?
“Eat what is good” (Isaiah 55:2).
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Answer: Yes. A Christian will even eat and drink differently—all to the glory of God—choosing only “what is good.” If God says a thing is not fit to eat, He must have a good reason. He is not a harsh dictator, but a loving Father. All His counsel is for our good always. The Bible promises, “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). So if God withholds a thing from us, it is because it is not good for us.
Note: No person can eat his or her way into heaven. Only acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can do that. Ignoring God’s health laws, however, might cause a person to lose his good judgment and fall into sin, even to the point of losing salvation.
4. What did God give people to eat when He created them in a perfect environment?
“God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed … every tree whose fruit yields seed. … Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat’ ” (Genesis 1:29; 2:16).
Answer: The diet God gave people in the beginning was fruit, grains, and nuts. Vegetables were added a little later (Genesis 3:18).
5. What items are specifically mentioned by God as being unclean and forbidden?
Answer: In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, God points out the following food groups as being unclean. Read both chapters in full.
A. All animals that do not both chew the cud and have a split hoof (Deuteronomy 14:6).
B. All fish and water creatures that do not have both fins and scales (Deuteronomy 14:9). Nearly all fish are clean.
C. All birds of prey, carrion eaters, and fish eaters (Leviticus 11:13–19).
D. Most “creeping things” (or invertebrates) (Leviticus 11:21–44).
Note: These chapters make it clear that most animals, birds, and water creatures people ordinarily eat are clean. There are, however, some notable exceptions. According to God’s rules, the following animals are unclean and are not to be eaten: cats, dogs, horses, camels, eagles, vultures, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, catfish, eels, lobsters, clams, crabs, shrimp, oysters, frogs, and others.
Assuming responsibility for our overall health is extremely important, and holistic practices such as Ayurveda can greatly contribute to our well-being. If you are curious about discovering holistic and efficient health remedies, I suggest seeking advice from a
best ayurvedic doctor. He is able to provide individualized assistance in terms of diet, lifestyle, and herbal treatments that match your aspirations for a better quality of life. Keep in mind, making an investment in your health now can result in significant benefits down the road!