In November 2005, National Geographic magazine ran a cover story titled “The secrets of a Long life” revealing the five hotspots or blue zones around the world where people lived longer and healthier lives.
The article looked at a variety of different factors that contributed to longevity. One of those hotspots, Loma Linda, California, is home to a high concentration of Seventh-Day Adventists who live ten years longer than the average American.
Among the main contributing factors to the longevity of the Adventists in Loma Linda are diet and lifestyle. Not only do these individuals live longer but they retain an amazing quality of life for longer as well, enabling them to live life to the fullest right to the end.
In this episode we take a quick look at some basic biblical principles about health and lifestyle so that we too can discover the secrets to longevity and happiness.
Fact number 1. The Bible tells us that our lives must give glory to God.
The Bible says: “ … saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’” (Revelation 14:7)
Fact number 2. One of the ways we can glorify God is in relation to our physical health.
The Bible says: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.
Fact number 3. The Bible tells us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.
The Bible says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1.
Fact number 4. The Bible promises us that if we follow God’s lifestyle principles we will enjoy good health.
The Bible says: “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26.
Fact number 5. The Bible discourages the use of strong drink and alcoholic beverages.
The Bible says: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.
Fact number 6. The Bible counsels us against putting harmful substances into our bodies. Substances like tobacco and illicit drugs.
The Bible says: “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 God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16,17.
Fact number 7. The original diet God gave Adam and Eve in Eden was a vegetarian diet.
The Bible says: And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:29-30)
Fact number 8. The Bible differentiates between clean and unclean meat.
The Bible says: “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal … two each of animals that are unclean … also seven each of birds of the air … to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth.” Genesis 7:2,3.
Fact number 9. The Bible does not endorse the use of pork for human consumption.
The Bible says:“And the swine, though it divides the hoof … yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Their flesh you shall not eat … They are unclean to you.” Leviticus 11:7,8.
And finally, fact number 10. Biblical health principles are not just for Jews but for all humanity.
The Bible says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
So, there they are – 10 important biblical facts about diet and lifestyle.
1. The Bible tells us that our lives must give glory to God.
2. One of the ways we can glorify God is in relation to our physical health.
3. The Bible tells us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice.
4. The Bible promises us that if we follow God’s lifestyle principles we will enjoy good health.
5. The Bible discourages the use of strong drink and alcoholic beverages.
6. The Bible counsels us against putting harmful substances into our bodies. Substances like tobacco and illicit drugs.
7. The original diet that God gave Adam and Eve in Eden was a vegetarian diet.
8. The Bible differentiates between clean and unclean meat.
9. The Bible does not endorse the use of pork for human consumption.
10. Biblical health principles are not just for Jews but for all humanity.
God’s greatest desire is for us to be in health and to prosper. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
In His desire to give us a future and a hope, God has given us health and lifestyle principles to guide our choices so that we can have the best that He has to offer us. Would you like to commit to living a healthier life today?
