May 11, 2022
This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten. Leviticus 11:46-47
Our loving Creator established a magnificent, complex, and synergistic eco-system when He created the vast array of plants and animals on the earth. Each member of this system has its role in the overall functioning of nature. The unclean animals are especially designed to have a cleansing effect on the environment by consuming waste. Their bodies are designed to work as a filter, catching unclean microbes.
God has richly blessed the world with a vast array of healthy and clean choices that are meant to be food for us. It is unfortunate that, in today’s Christianity, almost nothing is taught of the Maker’s diet. Our enemy the devil works through modern marketing to place unhealthy choices before our eyes at every turn.
Consuming unclean animals means putting into your body concentrated collections of the waste substances that we are protected from when we live by the Maker’s instructions. Modern research confirms over and over that consuming toxins weakens the body and mind, making us more susceptible to disease. This is why God says that consuming scavenger animals is an abomination to you (see Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14).
Many today are teaching that it is enough to love Jesus, and that making distinctions between clean and unclean animals is not necessary. Such teachers are not seeking God’s truth, but are instead looking for excuses to evade it. The irreparable harm that follows cannot be calculated; not only physical harm. The spirit of disobedience behind this way of thinking hinders spiritual growth. The spirit of cooperating with the God of love brings increased understanding of His heart and His word. Whether or not we understand the science of microorganisms, we can be sure that the Creator does. He knows what is best for us and instructs us accordingly. We are to trust and obey. It is a matter of authority.
The religious leaders who failed to recognize the identity of Jesus as the promised Messiah were constantly questioning His authority. Jesus consistently pointed back to the scriptures which they professed to believe.
Jesus answered them and said, “My [teaching] is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God… John 7:16-17a
God’s word sanctifies (sets apart) that which is clean from that which is not clean. He never refers to unclean animals as “food.”
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. . .commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth…sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1,3b,5