The Old Testament Dietary Laws
Under the Old Covenant, God gave Israel specific dietary laws (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). These laws distinguished clean animals from unclean animals. While these laws are no longer binding under the New Covenant (Mark 7:19, Acts 10:15), they reveal God's care for health, intentionality, and holiness.
Clean animals included
Unclean animals included
Many people today still choose to follow these guidelines — not out of obligation, but out of reverence for God's original design and the health benefits they observe. You are free to explore this if it resonates with you.
Leviticus 11:7-8
"And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses."
Leviticus 11:10-12
"But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to regard as unclean."
Deuteronomy 14:21
"Do not eat anything you find already dead."
New Testament Principles — How to Eat Today
Under the New Covenant, all food is clean (Mark 7:19, Romans 14:14, 1 Timothy 4:4-5). You are free. But freedom comes with responsibility. Here are the biblical principles that should guide how you eat:
Freedom
You are not bound by Old Testament food laws.
Colossians 2:16-17
"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."
Stewardship
Your body is God's temple. Honor Him with what you consume.
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
Don't be mastered by anything, including food.
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."
Thanksgiving
Receive every meal with gratitude. Prayer sanctifies it.
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."
Love Over Freedom
If your eating causes someone to stumble, adjust out of love.
Romans 14:21
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall."
Intentionality
Eat for strength and purpose, not just pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 10:17
"Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness."
Moderation
Avoid gluttony. Eat to live; don't live to eat.
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."