|
GOD'S HEALTH LAWS
by ralph jackson Today, health is a big issue. Our responsibility for personal health is slowly being taken away from us and handed over to the medical profession and private sector health care. They seem to think they know what is best for every human and individuals are not qualified to know how to keep themselves healthy. Rather than natural remedies against ailments, doctors prescribe pills or surgery to correct anything that has gone wrong with our bodies. The use of chemicals has replaced any natural biological remedies because the later, is not financial lucrative. The current medical system, using chemicals to cure illnesses, was set up in the middle of the 19th century by the Rothschild’s and aggressive marketing finally replaced any natural homeopathic healers. God’s principles of healing were and are largely ignored and the consequences over the past 150 years, albeit with a number of successes, have been disastrous for the health of many. God wants us wants us to be healthy. Wouldn’t it be great if we did not need doctors anymore? Well you can live without the need for doctors if you take care of your body. We all know what we should do, but it is not easy to give up our habits, which slowly destroys internal organs. Smoking, alcohol and we know that high cholesterol is caused by what we eat, which causes obesity and puts stress on our organs. God has given us a free health plan to go by, so I would like to share the health message from the Bible so you can have an abundant healthy and longer life. Religion and Health Principles In 3 John1:2 it says: “Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Many today believe that humans, at death split in two: 1. A dead body and 2. a soul (spirit) that goes on living and returns to God? However, the Bible informs us that the body without the soul (or spirit), is dead, therefore both our body and our spirit are interrelated and interdependent. (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). God gave humanity health principles to follow. God commanded us to observe all his laws, not because He is a dictator, but because having created us in his image, He knows what is good for us. He wants to preserve us alive. (Deuteronomy 6:24). We are to fear God, that is respect and trust in Him. If we do as He says we will not make mistakes that will lead us into difficulties or ill health. In Exodus 23:25 it says: “You shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and our water. And I will take sick ness away from the midst of you.” As I said earlier, God created us, therefore he knows what is best for our human body. A manufacturer will give a manufactures guide to any piece of electronic equipment they produce. God also gave us an operators manual – the Bible, so we could know how to keep our bodies and minds in good health. If we ignore the manual, it results in diseases and in twisted mental thinking, which leads us to an early grave. Following God’s health principles results in saving our health (Psalm 67:2) and a more abundant life (John 10:10). If we cooperate with God, He can use these great health laws to significantly reduce and eliminate the effects of diseases created by Satan (Psalm 103:2,3). As a Christian we are not to indulge in excessive eating and drinking. Isaiah told us: “Eat what is good.” Isaiah 55:2 And Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to this glory of God.” God did not make a distinction between clean and unclean meat for no reason. If God says something is not fit to eat, He must have a good reason. As a loving father to his human creation, he does not want us to put into our mouths something that will make us ill or even kill us. We are told in Psalm 84:11 that: “No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” So conversely if God withholds something from us it is not good for us! (At this stage I should add that nobody can eat his way into heaven. Entry to heaven is not about food or drink, it is only by accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour that we attain a place in heaven. However, by ignoring God’s health laws, we may fall into temptation and consequently commit sin, even to the point of losing our eternal salvation.) God’s Food to Adam and Eve “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) Adam and Eve’s food in the beginning was fruit, grains and nuts. Vegetables were added a little later. (Genesis 3:18) Creatures which God specifically forbid to Eat. In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, God gave four groups of created creatures that were not to be eaten because they were unclean for human consumption. You can read the full list in both chapters; however, the four groups were:
These chapters make it very clear that most animals, birds and water creatures people ordinarily eat are clean. However, there are some 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 many others. Will Pork Eaters be destroyed at the Second Coming? In Isaiah 66:15-17 it says: “Behold, the Lord will come with fire - and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves – eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together.” This sounds really shocking. Surely God is not going to destroy people who eat pork? If you are aware of God’s health rules, shouldn’t you obey them? If you choose not to obey what God has said, then you have chosen to disobey God because of your appetite. Wasn’t this the case for Adam and Eve too? A certain tree’s fruit was forbidden to be eaten, not because it had any specific healing properties, but because God said ‘don’t eat of it’. It was a test of loyalty and because Adam and Eve failed, they brought sin and death into the world. If we say that it doesn’t matter if we eat what God says we should not, then why should we be surprised if it causes our destruction. Isaiah 66:4 says: “…they chose that in which I do not delight.” Isn’t the Law of Clean and Unclean Animals just for the Jews? The law of clean and unclean animals was given to Moses to write down, however, Noah lived a long time before any Jews existed but he knew about the clean and unclean animals, which he took into the ark. We can read this in Genesis 7:1,2: “The Lord said to Noah,….’take with you seven each of every clean animal…. two each of animals that are unclean.’” In Revelation 18:2 it refers to some birds as being unclean just before the second coming of Christ. Christ’s death upon the cross did not, in any way affect or change God’s health laws given in the Old Testament, since all who break them will be destroyed when Jesus returns (Isaiah 66:15-17). Human digestive systems are all the same, whatever your ethnic background, therefore God’s health laws are for all humanity and for all time. What does the Bible say about drinking Alcohol? Proverbs 20:1: “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly, at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.” “Neither fornicators…. nor drunkards…. will inherit the kingdom of God.” Remember Isaiah 66:4 – “…. they chose that in which I do not delight.” Using Harmful substances such as tobacco. God made mankind to be strong and healthy. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We read: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of Go, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” Nicotine is a poison that enslaves the user. It is addictive and destructive to lung tissue and because it enters the blood stream it winds its evil way through every part of the body, opening up the cells to all manner of disease, particularly cancers. In Romans 6:16, it says: “Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey, when of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.” Smoking or using other harmful substances is disobedience to the God who created us. Jesus said in Matthew 4:10: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” The use of tobacco is an unclean habit. We are told in 2 Corinthians 6:17: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” How can we approach God with the stale smell of tobacco on our lips? We also waste money by purchasing cigarettes. Isaiah 55:2 informs us: “Why do you spend your money for what is not bread.” We are Gods’ stewards of the money given to us so according to 1 Corinthians 4:2: “…it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” We are told by Peter, in 1 Peter 2:11 that the use of harmful substances is a fleshly lust: “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” When we feed our fleshly desires, it weakens our ability to discern the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Our minds become so dull we do not hear that still small voice which strengthens us against the flesh. We know today that tobacco dramatically shortens a smokers life. Our life is precious to God, but by slowly murdering ourselves with tobacco use, we are breaking the sixth commandment: ‘” Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13 The Bible’s simple and important health laws 1. EAT YOUR MEALS AT REGULAR INTERVALS AND DO NOT USE ANIMAL FAT OF BLOOD “Eat at the proper time.” Ecclesiastes 10:17 Heart attacks are generally caused as a result of high cholesterol and this is caused by the intake of too much fat in the diet. God certainly knows what is bad for us. 2. DO NOT OVER EAT “Put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.” Proverbs 23:2 In Luke 21:34 Jesus warned against intemperance in the last days. Overeating is a form of intemperance and is responsible for many degenerative diseases! 3. DO NOT HARBOUR ENVY OR HOLD A GRUDGE With this kind of sinful feelings you actually disrupt the bodies digestive processes. in Proverbs 14:30 it says: “Envy is rottenness to the bones.” Christ commanded us to clear up any grudges that others might hold against us. Matthew 5:23,24 4. TRY TO MAINTAIN A HAPPY DISPOSITION “A merry heart does good, like medicine.” Proverbs 17:22 “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 Depression causes many diseases of the mind and body but a happy cheerful disposition promotes health and long life. 5. PUT YOUR FULL TRUST IN THE LORD “The fear (respect) of the Lord leads to life and he who has it will abide in Satisfaction.” Proverbs 19:23 Trust in God strengthens health and life: “My son, give attention to my words…. for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20,22 HEALTH COMES FROM OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S COMMANDS AND FROM PUTTING OUR FULL TRUST IN HIM. 6. BALANCE WORK AND EXERCISE WITH SLEEP AND REST “Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall not work.” Exodus 20:9,10 “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet.” Ecclesiastes 5:12 “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” Genesis 3:19 “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late.” Psalm 127.2 “For what has man for all his labour and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? Even in the night his heart takes no rest. This is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 2:22,23 7. KEEP YOUR BODY CLEAN “Be clean.” Isaiah 52.11 8. BE TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS “Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 “Let your gentleness be known to all men.” Philippians 4:5 Christians should completely avoid things that are harmful and be moderate in the use of things that are good. Habits that injure health break the command – you shall not murder by degrees. They are suicide on the instalment plan. 9. AVOID ANYTHING HARMFUL TO THE BODY. (1 Corinthians 3:16,17) 10. MAKE MEALTIMES A HAPPY TIME Arguments around the table at meal times will hinder digestion. “Every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labour – it is a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:13 11. HELP THOSE IN NEED When the poor and needy need help and you give it to them, you improve your own health. “Loose the bods of wickedness…. undo the heavy burdens…. share your bread with the hungry and bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked…cover him and your healing shall spring forth speedily.” Isaiah 58:6-8 God’s solemn reminder to the wicked “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7 If we continually ignore God’s health principles we will suffer ill health and ultimately we will be destroyed eternally. 1 Corinthian 3:16-17. God’s laws are not difficult to follow. They are not arbitrary but natural established laws of the universe, just like the law of gravity. If we ignore these laws we cause ourselves great harm. Proverbs 26:1 says: “A curse without cause shall not come’” So would it not be much better for us to follow God’s health laws to avoid harming ourselves? Our Children will suffer if we break God’s Health Laws But you say, surely the children will not be accountable for the sins of the fathers? That is true, but the example that we give our children will be carried by them into the third and fourth generation. They inherit weakened and sickly bodies when mothers and fathers defy God, when they feed their children what God has forbidden. “You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and your children after you.” Deuteronomy 12:25 “I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me”. Exodus 20:5 One only has to look at the many obese parents today and see their children following in their parents habits. Sin cannot enter heaven again Nothing that defiles or is unclean will enter God’s kingdom. Every filthy habit which defiles a person will be excluded. “There shall by no means enter in (God’s kingdom), anything that defiles.” Revelation 21.27 “As for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 11;21 Daniel would not eat from the King’s table because he knew that the use of improper food defiles a person (Daniel 1:8). Choosing to go our own way and refuse to listen to God will end up costing our eternal salvation. (Isaiah 66:3,415-17) What should Christians do always? We should bring ourselves into harmony with God’s health principles because we love Him. “Let us cleanse ourselves from a filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Everyone who has this hope in Christ, purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3 “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 Parents make rules to protect their children from harm. How much more does God love us? He would never make rules that deny our freedom and all His rules are for our good. But if we do not keep His rules it becomes a sin. “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 Habits built over a lifetime can be hard to break but just like an alcoholic who wants to kick the habit, first they have to admit they have a problem and need help. We have to take our habits and lay them at the feet of Christ and He will give us a new heart and the power we need to break any sinful habit to become sons and daughters of God (Ezekiel 11:18,19). With God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). Jesus says: “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:3,7 God’s New Kingdom ickness and death was not part of God’s plan when He created the earth and its inhabitants. The health principles that Adam and Eve enjoyed are the same as the inhabitants of all the other planets God has created and they are the same as those followed by the angels in heaven. In the new earth there will be no sickness and death: “The inhabitants will not say, ‘I am sick’ “Isaiah 33:24 “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.” Revelation 21:4 “They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isiah 40:3 The Bible is our road map to God. If we are true followers of the Word, then we should be willing to follow all of God’s health principles. We can start our healthy journey today on this earth by refusing to put those things into our stomach, which God has forbidden us to do. Contrary to the current belief today that government, doctors or physicians are in control of your health, nobody other than yourself is responsible for keeping you healthy and to be healthy you must follow God’s health principles.
Amen Ralph Jackson Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |