Does God care about what we eat? What does the Bible have to say about food?
If you’re a Christian woman struggling with your relationship with food, you’ve probably counted calories, points, carbs, or something else in an attempt to lose weight. You’ve probably said “I’ll never eat bread again!” (or chocolate). And then you’ve started another horrible fad diet only to fall off the wagon a few days (or hours) into it..resulting in those awful feelings of self-loathing and disgust.
You’re probably thinking “why can I not lose the weight” and “why is my self-control so pathetic?”
Diets Have Failed You
Here’s the truth. You’ve tried so hard – you haven’t failed at all those diets. Those diets have all failed you.
We know that food is an extremely relevant topic in today’s world; we are bombarded with fast food commercials and food ads at every turn, but does God really care about what we eat?
You have probably heard the quote… “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food” often attributed to Hippocrates, but what food is this quote referring to? We are living with the highest rates of obesity in history and we have more people living with type 2 diabetes than ever before… so what has gone wrong with our food?
I’d like to first say that God created everything good, filled with every single thing we need in order to be healthy. On day 3 God created vegetation and said it was good! So let’s dig into the word of God and look at 15 Bible verses about food and see what we find.
What Does The Bible Say About Food?
God Created Food For Us!
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1: 11-12 (NIV)
Then another verse says it will be ours for food!
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
Genesis 1:29 (NIV)
God made food in the beginning; it’s part of creation – WOW! God had a plan for us from the very beginning to enjoy the rich nourishment from fruits and vegetables. We need to get back to basics and enjoy the richness of what God said was good as this is how it all began.
Incorporating Fruits And Vegetables
A question to ponder is this. Are we enjoying fruits and vegetables every day and using these plant-bearing foods as nourishment or fuel for our bodies? If God designed fruits and vegetables for food, we know they are healthy and we must make sure we are incorporating them into our lifestyle so that we stay nourished and healthy.
We know that wine comes from the fruit of the trees that God has made for us, but here is a great piece of advice that we should sit up and take note of.
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:20-21 (NIV)
This verse is packed with counsel from God. We should not drink too much wine or we will be poor. We should not gorge ourselves or we will become poor. No one wants to be poor, but so many people continually drink too much wine and eat too much food. We don’t start out wanting to be a slave to wine or food; no one wants to be called a glutton, so why do we let ourselves go down this slippery slope?
God Made Food For Us To Enjoy!
God made things for us to enjoy and when we eat and drink in moderation, we can enjoy it but as soon as we overindulge, we just don’t feel good. When we eat too much we feel tired and sluggish. When we drink too much wine we also feel tired and sluggish and we basically just don’t feel well. This prohibits us from then enjoying life and living life to the fullest.
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 (NIV)
God wants us to enjoy what he has given us, and we can only do this when we eat and drink in moderation. Let’s give thanks to God for his gift of food and wine and honor Him and ourselves by using these wonderful gifts for His glory.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35 (NIV)
This is such a wonderful promise to claim. If we come to Jesus, we will never be hungry or thirsty again. Yes this is an analogy, Jesus as the bread of life, but I also believe that it means if we follow His instructions, and put the right nutrient-rich foods into our bodies, then we will be satisfied and nourished and feel good in our bodies. This next verse promises this exact thing.
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:9 (NIV)
God Provides Us With What We Need!
God provides exactly what we need when we need it, and he satisfies our souls with good things.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
This is one of my favorite verses. We are told to do everything for the glory of God. In fact, this is a commandment. We often don’t think about eating or drinking for the glory of God, but when we give thanks and enjoy the rich nourishment (foods) that God created for us on Day 3 of Creation, we know he delights in our obedience to Him.
The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
Romans 14:3 (NIV)
Eat For The Glory Of God!
God also knew that food and drink would be something that people would disagree about. He knew that not everyone would love onions or kale, (LOL) but He gave us such a variety of foods that there is definitely something that everyone can love and enjoy. God also knew that not everyone would eat meat and that there would be many disagreements over different products that are consumed. The key here, I believe, is that we are not to judge others on whether they eat the same as we do. Each individual eats and drinks for the glory of God, not for the glory of one another. These next verses tell us how God gave us everything, as long as we do it all for His glory.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
Genesis 9:3-4 (NIV)
We are given everything to enjoy, yet we must continually consider moderation and self-control. Not to be enslaved by anything and not let something become an addiction, either with food or drink.
Good Nourishment From God Can Fulfill Us!
I love how the Bible talks about Jesus feeding the crowds. In this next verse, Jesus gives them fish and bread. I find it interesting that with this simple meal, Jesus provides nourishment through carbs, protein, and healthy fats.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Luke 9:16-17 (NIV)
And they were satisfied! This is a beautiful ending to a good meal. They were not stuffed to the brim, nor were they left feeling hungry. They were completely satisfied! That is what good nourishment from God can do for us – fulfill us.
Sometimes we get overwhelmed with what we should and should not eat. With all the health advertisements and all the fast-food commercials and all the processed junk food and supersized meals at every corner, we get overwhelmed because we are bombarded with information and don’t know what to believe. But we do know that we are not to worry about what to eat or drink. God will show us the way. The Bible says life is more than food.
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 than food, and the body more than clothes?
Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
Take Care Of What We Do, Not What Everyone Else Is Doing
This next verse is really refreshing to me because too many times we get caught up with what people think about us. We worry about how others will see us. When they see us eating and drinking we don’t want to be judged. But scripture tells us not to let anyone judge us by what we eat or drink. We need to take this verse and not judge others by what they eat or drink as well. We need to take care of what we put into our body, not what everyone else is doing.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV)
Moderation Is Key
We know from research today that sugar can be harmful to our bodies. Not only is it highly addictive, but it causes disease. We know that type 2 diabetes is becoming an epidemic due to all the processed sugars being put into our foods. The Bible talks about honey, (a form of sugar) and speaks to the fact of moderation as a key to treating our bodies well.
If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
Proverbs 25:16 (NIV)
This is so plain and simple. Don’t eat too much sugar or you will not feel good!
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV)
In the verse above, Solomon talks about how we need to enjoy our life, that enjoying food and drink is a gift from God. If you enjoy what you are doing and feel satisfied with your life, then you are a blessed person. If you enjoy tasty food, this is something to be very grateful for and not something to take for granted as there are many people who can’t enjoy their food due to illness or poverty.
Treat Your Body Like A Temple Not A Trash Can
One of the verses we talk a lot about at the WeighDown Lifestyle is this next one.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. A temple is a place considered to be a holy place. This verse commands us to honor God with our bodies. I believe this has to do with more than food, but that it also includes food and what we put into our own temple. I often say we need to treat our bodies like a temple, not a trash can.
So many people have no idea what they are consuming. There are so many harmful chemicals and ingredients in our food today that are hurting our bodies rather than nourishing our bodies. Many people are unaware of the ingredients that are in the foods we are eating and some of these ingredients are causing a decline in our overall health and wellness. Some of the declining issues include weight gain, bloating, heartburn, type 2 diabetes and other anti-inflammatory diseases that are affecting so many people.
Let’s begin to honor our bodies and make the best decisions we can in the situation we are in so that we are respecting and nourishing our bodies to the best of our ability. Here are a few more verses about food that may be of interest to you. Everything good thing is given by God. He supplies our every need.
More Bible Verses About Food
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)
Isn’t it interesting that God uses food (milk) as an analogy for growth in our spiritual life? Food is such an important necessity for our physical growth, and feeding our minds is so important for our spiritual growth. I think this proves just how important food is in our lives for our overall health and wellness.
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NIV)
God says that our days are few on this earth and He wants us to find satisfaction in the fruits of our labor. God’s word also says that we get to choose – we have the ability to make choices for ourselves, but some things are beneficial and others are not. If we are to respect and honor our body (the temple), then it would stand to reason that we are giving our bodies the nourishment that is beneficial rather than treating our temple like a garbage can and giving our bodies junk.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
Let’s continue to meet together for food and fellowship because we are created for relationships. Just like God uses food in many stories in the Bible, centered around feasts, teachings, weddings, and special occasions, Jesus also broke bread in homes with people He met and ate with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying one another.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 46-47 (NIV)
What Would It Mean To Lose Your Next 10 Pounds?
I hope these verses have shown you how important food is in our lives. We need good nourishment for physical strength and we need good nourishment for our spiritual strength. They work simultaneously together, intertwined and woven together for God’s glory.
What would it mean to you to lose your next 10 pounds in a way that included inviting God into your weight loss journey?
The whole reason we created the WeighDown Lifestyle plan was because so many women struggled to understand how to honor God through their weight loss journey. If you are interested in learning more, we’d invite you to check out our 10 Day Weigh Down Plan!
Until next time, remember that you are a woman chosen for greatness!
Ruth & Kayce