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Lesson 18

What The Bible Teaches About
Health Principles And Guidelines For Living

The Body Is God's Temple

1. How does God consider the human body?

1 Corinthians 6:19,20

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 (KJV)
19 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?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

2. In what two aspects is God interested?

3 John 1:2

3 John 1:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Health Principles

3. What is the basic principle for eating?

1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

4. What meats are not convenient?

Leviticus 11:3-20 4

Leviticus 11:3-20 4 (KJV)
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. 4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. 9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. 10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: 11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. 12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. 13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, 14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; 15 Every raven after his kind; 16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, 17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, 18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, 19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. 20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

5. Why do we stay away from alcoholic beverages?

Proverbs 20:1

Proverbs 20:1 (KJV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

6. Why is it best not to use tobacco, coffee and stimulating beverages?

1 Corinthians 3:16,17

1 Corinthians 3:16,17 (KJV)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Standards Of Living

7. What should personal appearance be like?

1 Timothy 2:9, 10

1 Timothy 2:9, 10 (KJV)
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

8. Why do we not attend inappropriate shows?

1 Peter 2:21

1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

WHAT MUST I DO?

1. Strive to live a perfect Christian life.

Matthew 5:48

Matthew 5:48 (KJV)
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

2. Follow Jesus' example in all things.

1 John 2:6

1 John 2:6 (KJV)
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

MY RESOLUTION

I believe that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I will abstain from all harmful foods or beverages.

Addtional Study 18

A Pure and Spotless Church. We are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9). The Christian is in the world but is not of the world (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). The church must be holy and spotless (Ephesians 5:25-27). It must be an example for the world (Matthew 5:16). We must abstain from all evil (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

Dynamic Christianity. The Christian has integrity (Psalm 15:1-5). He is honest in his business transactions (Proverbs 20:10). His thoughts are elevated (Philippians 4:8). The Christian is careful with words (Ephesians 4:25-29). The Christian avoids the fruits of the flesh and practices the ones of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26).

Christian Modesty. Christian modesty is recommended (1 Timothy 2:9, 10). Dispense with superfluous external adornment (Isaiah 3:18-23; Genesis 35:1-4; Jeremiah 4:30). True beauty emanates from a life consecrated to God (Proverbs 31:30).

The Christian and Health

When worshiping God we do it with our spirit and our body, therefore both must be irreproachable (1 Thessalonians 5:23). On the other hand, God considers our body to be a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). Any attack against the health of the body is a grave sin before God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17). "Our bodies must be kept in the best possible condition physically, and under the most spiritual influences... Those who thus shorten their lives by disregarding nature's laws are guilty of robbery toward God."—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 41). An important principle in the life of the Christian is temperance (Luke 21:34).

The Use of Meat

It was not God's plan that meat would be consumed. The diet given by the Lord was natural (Genesis 1:29). Provisional permission was given to consume meet because of the flood (Genesis 9:3). Because man became accustomed to the carnivorous diet, God indicated specifically which meats were inconvenient. These indications are found in the book of Leviticus, in chapter 11. In general, the instructions are the following:

  1. Meat. The meat of animals with a split hoof and that chew their cud can be eaten. If one or both of these characteristics are lacking, the meat should not be eaten.
  2. Fish. The ones that can be consumed are the ones that have fins and scales.
  3. Birds. The ones that may not be eaten or birds of prey or nocturnal birds.
  4. Blood. The Bible strictly forbids the use of blood as food. (Leviticus 17:13, 14).

Alcohol and Tobacco

The Bible recommends abstaining from all alcoholic beverages (Proverbs 23:20; 20:1; Isaiah 28:7; Luke 1:15; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:18).

Tobacco was not known in Bible times. It originated in America. However, its use has spread through the entire world. Men, women, youth and children fall victims of this vice. Every cigarette contains approximately 35 poisons. Medical science warns us of the terrible effects of tobacco. It affects the arteries that feed the heart, the longs, the sense of smell, the stomach, and sight. The relationship between the habit of smoking and the increase of cancer has been proven. Whoever desires to be a god child of God must leave behind this terrible vice (2 Timothy 2:21). Likewise, coffee, tea and mate contain drugs and poisons.

Jesus, our Example and our Strength

The Christian live is a constant struggle. The secret of triumph consists in following in Jesus' footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). It requires a spirit of sacrifice (Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27), and abandoning wrong customs (Titus 2:12, 13). A reform of habits is necessary (Romans 12:2).