Here is a summary of God’s food instruction and how we can apply it even today!
God’s seven food instructions highlight a progression of truth about nutrition that helps provide a better understanding of God’s provision for our physical and spiritual health.
This slide highlights all seven food instruction purposes on the left and the seven practical applications on the right.
1. Eat Seed-Bearing Foods (Fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Herbs)
The seed represents life! Living foods—such as fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, fermented foods, and raw nuts and seeds—are packed with nutrients and enzymes that promote overall health. Here are some key benefits:
- Rich in Enzymes – Living foods contain natural enzymes that aid digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce the body’s demand for digestive enzymes.
- Boosts Immunity – Raw, unprocessed foods are high in antioxidants, vitamins (like vitamin C), and minerals that strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
- Promotes Healthy Digestion – Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and sprouts help regulate digestion, prevent constipation, and support a healthy gut environment.
- Increases Energy Levels – Living foods provide natural, easily digestible energy, unlike processed foods that can lead to sluggishness and blood sugar crashes.
- Supports Detoxification – Raw plant-based foods contain chlorophyll, antioxidants, and water content that help flush toxins from the body and promote liver health.
- Reduces Disease Risk – A diet rich in raw and fermented foods is linked to lower risks of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer due to their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight – Nutrient-dense, low-calorie living foods naturally support weight management and prevent overeating by keeping you full and nourished.
- Promotes Longevity – Diets high in living foods have been associated with longer lifespans, better cognitive function, and a reduced risk of age-related diseases.
2. Eat Sprouted or Soured Grains & Cultured Foods
Because the ground was cursed at the fall, plants became incomplete. Plant nutrients need “conversion” ; they are “bound”. What an incredible picture of our need for conversion. Our good works are not enough. We are bound in our sin. But by souring or sprouting the grains… we release those nutrients. Just like by being in Christ (the living water) we are free (unbound).
Choose grains that have been sprouted or fermented to enhance digestibility and nutrient absorption. Cultured foods, such as yogurt and sourdough, support gut health with beneficial probiotics. Be sure to look for the label – contains live active cultures.
Store bought shelf-safe sourdough breads are mostly not probiotically beneficial because just the yeast has been fermented. Traditional sourdough bread that has probiotic benefits is made from the actual grain (starter) that has been fermented.
- Enhanced Nutrient Absorption – Sprouted and fermented foods break down anti-nutrients (like phytic acid), making vitamins and minerals more bioavailable to the body.
- Supports Gut Health – Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut provide beneficial probiotics that support digestion, immunity, and gut microbiome balance.
3. Eat Foods That Are Responsibly Raised/Grown
I love supporting local farmers! Locally grown networks are such a great way to eat healthy, nutrient dense foods that are raised and grown without chemicals, pasture based and follow God’s design for how we are to treat the earth.
When we buy local farmers or co-ops we are prioritizing foods that are ethically sourced, organically or naturally grown, and sustainably harvested. Supporting responsible farming aligns with God’s design for our earth, our health and our food source!
Check out FarmMatch.com or LocallyGrown.net to find local farmers and food!
4. Eat Clean Meats
Notice the food laws of National Nutrition did not mention plants much. It wasn’t like the plants were labeled clean or unclean. There’s the grain offering and a few other notations, but the Law was all about the blood. All about animals. All about covering and cleansing. The sacrificial foods of the Law were made to be consumed as well with the primary purpose of representing the final sacrifice of Christ.
Select meats from animals that have been humanely raised and fed the food God intended for them. Avoid meats treated with hormones, antibiotics, or unnatural additives for better health and stewardship. “God made the grass grow for the cattle…” Pastured raised beef and chicken, wild caught fish have:
- Higher nutrient content (more vitamins, minerals, amino acids)
- Ideal Omega3: Omega 6 fatty acid ratios (not inflammatory)
- Contain CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
- Do not contain high levels of toxic mercury
- Do not contain hormones, antibiotics, GMO foods, and other harmful additives
5. Eat with a Clean Heart
Approach food with gratitude and mindfulness, avoiding gluttony or greed. Eating with a pure heart reflects a commitment to honoring God with our choices. Christ shocked the Jews of His time by saying, “It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of his heart.”
Jesus was transitioning from the natural to the spiritual reality of inner person cleansing. Eating all the clean foods in the world cannot solve bitterness or lust. Spiritual stressors of anger, guilt, envy, fear or worry are not healed by eating clean. He was also paving the way for food to no longer identify us with God. Jesus, the fulfillment of the law would become the cleansing for our spiritual healing and identity.
6. Avoid Blood. Share Food with Gratefulness
Refrain from consuming blood is a food instruction throughout all Scripture from the Law all the way through to the Kingdom. “The life is in the blood.” Blood is the transportation system for all nutrients.
Share meals joyfully, recognizing them as a gift and opportunity for fellowship.
7. Eat to Remember the Person and Work of Christ
Use meals as a moment to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and grace. Eating with intention and thankfulness can serve as an act of worship and remembrance. Food is social..a point of connection with others, the earth and God Himself. Taking a moment to reflect before a meal or even after a meal is another form and opportunity for worship!
Sign up for our FREE Bible Study to discover God’s Seven Purposes for Food and how to apply them to your life for both physical health and spiritual health!!