The Bible provides various insights and guidelines on the topic of eating meat. One key Bible verse about eating meat can be found in Genesis 9:3, which states:
“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
This verse emphasizes God’s provision of all creatures for human consumption. It sets the foundation for understanding the permissibility of eating meat in accordance with God’s design. Additionally, 1 Timothy 4:4-5 touches on this topic, stating:
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
This verse reinforces the notion of gratitude and reverence towards God’s creation when it comes to consuming meat. It highlights the importance of approaching dietary choices with a spirit of thankfulness and acknowledgment of God’s authority. By incorporating these verses into our understanding of eating meat, we can navigate our dietary decisions in a way that aligns with biblical teachings.
Unpacking the Biblical Perspective on Eating Meat
The Bible and Eating Meat
Genesis 9:3
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.”
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”
Deuteronomy 12:15
“However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your towns, as much as you desire, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the deer.”
Leviticus 11:1-47
“This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.”
Acts 10:13-15
“And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.'”
1 Corinthians 8:8
“Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.”
Romans 14:6
“The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
1 Corinthians 10:25-26
“Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.'”
Matthew 15:11
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Matthew 8:31-33
“And a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.’ So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.”
Mark 7:18-19
“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled? (Thus he declared all foods clean.)”
Genesis 1:29
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.'”
Deuteronomy 14:3-4
“You shall not eat any abomination. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat.”
Acts 15:20
“But should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”
Genesis 7:2
“Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate.”
Matthew 14:13-21
“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Leviticus 11:46-47
“This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten. From these verses, we can see that the Bible presents a complex perspective on eating meat. On one hand, there are passages that emphasize that all animals are given by God as food for humans and that we should receive them with thanksgiving. However, there are also guidelines about what kind of animals can be eaten, making a distinction between clean and unclean animals.
There are also passages that highlight the importance of not judging others based on what they eat, and that eating or abstaining from certain foods should be done in honor of the Lord. Additionally, the Bible teaches that what truly defiles a person is not what goes into their mouth, but what comes out of their heart.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to eat meat is a personal one that should be made in prayerful consideration of these biblical teachings. Each individual must determine for themselves what practices align with their personal beliefs and values.
Applying Scriptural Guidance to Dietary Choices in Daily Life
Guidance from the Bible on Dietary Choices:
– Proverbs 23:20-21 “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.”
– Leviticus 11:47 “You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.”
Seeking Wisodm from God’s Word:
- Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
– Proverbs 2:6 ”For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Discipline in Eating Habits:
– 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “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.”
Self-Control and Moderation:
– Proverbs 25:16 “If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.”
– Galatians 5:22-23 ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Choosing Nourishing Foods:
– Genesis 1:29 “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.'”
– 1 Timothy 4:4-5 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
Importance of Thankfulness:
– Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Trusting in God’s Provision:
– Matthew 6:31-33 ”So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Importance of Community:
– Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Practicing Gratitude:
– Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
– Ephesians 5:20 “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Guidance on Gluttony:
- Proverbs 23:2 “put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.”
– Philippians 3:19 “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
Choosing Food Wisely:
– Proverbs 13:25 “The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
| Fruits | Vegetables |
| Apples | Carrots |
| Ban Anas | Broccoli |
| Oranges | Spinach |
| Grapes | Kale |
By applying scriptural guidance to our dietary choices, we can honor God with our bodies, practice self-control and gratitude, and choose foods that nourish us physically and spiritually. Let us seek wisdom from God’s word and trust in His provision as we make daily decisions about what to eat and drink.
As we reflect on these Bible verses about eating meat, one thing is clear: the topic of food and dietary choices is not a new dilemma. Throughout history, people have grappled with the balance between sustenance and conscience. Whether you choose to eat meat or abstain, it is important to remember the principles of love, compassion, and stewardship that the Bible teaches. May we approach our food choices with gratitude, mindfulness, and a spirit of respect for all of God’s creation.