Does Meat Eating Spoil Your Spirituality?

You are what you eat.

I often tell people that if you do not like what you are, change what you eat. The juices and fluids of what we eat pass into the circulation of our blood, and we are composed of what we eat. Our bones, our muscles, our skin, and yes, our brains are made of what passes between our lips. What is your brain composed of, and how does what you feed it impact its efficiency? There are nutrients that promote mental acuity and there are foods that impede good thinking. 1

In approaching this subject I want to make sure the experiences of the Jews are not lost on us. In the wilderness, the children of Israel were said to have lusted for, or craved, a flesh diet. “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat?” 2

In the words of a famous advertisement campaign, the question was asked, “Where’s the Beef”!?

Now their cravings for an animal-based diet were not by any means unique to their era. Addictions to, and cravings for meat, are universal. Ever wonder why people have a hard time giving up eating meat? One reason meat is so addictive lies in its ability to stimulate the same receptors in the brain as heroin. That’s right; heroin addicts experience the same challenge of giving up their habit as carnivores do theirs. 3

As with addiction to heroin, the true realities of life are overshadowed by the impulsive pursuit of the addictive substance, in this case: flesh. In fact, the Israelites are said to have chosen meat over their very salvation. Let’s look at this in the Bible. We are told that in lusting after meat in the wilderness, the Israelites hardened their hearts and provoked God, and this kept them from entering Canaan and resting. “To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me,” “Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” 4

What was the “provocation”? How did they provoke God?

“And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.” “Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:” 5

God wanted to take the Israelites home to Canaan. God wants to take us home to heaven and the new earth; to Eden restored, a restored garden, and a restored people. So, our challenge, in essence, is to take back the Garden of Eden. This will require warfare—going through a time of trial and difficulty.

“The reason why many of us will fall in the time of trouble is because of laxity in temperance and indulgence of appetite. Moses preached a great deal on this subject, and the reason the people did not go through to the promised land was because of repeated indulgence of appetite. Nine-tenths of the wickedness among the children of today is caused by intemperance in eating and drinking. Adam and Eve lost Eden through the indulgence of appetite, and we can only regain it by the denial of the same.” 6

Ever wish you could improve your mental performance? It has been documented that a meat eater’s brain performance suffers. In a study of diet and mental performance, Granic and Nyaradi discovered that putting people on a (western) diet including red meat, potatoes with rich gravy, and butter significantly limited brain function. 7,8 How well your brain functions will determine how clear are your spiritual perceptions of God and His will.

Meat is not the only food that can degrade brain performance. Refined foods, especially sugar negatively impact brain function and learning ability. Most people would like their brains to be able to comprehend and retain all that it is possible to, but researcher Molteni has discovered in his laboratory experiments that a diet high in animal fat and sugar significantly depresses the ability to learn and grow new brain pathways. 9 This is just like eating meat! “And from the light given me, sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat.”10

What does the Bible record about the impact of meat eating on a person’s soul? Does eating meat ruin your spiritual life? As usual, the Bible is very clear. “But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” 11

This can be confirmed in modern research in studies looking at the impact of animal foods on psychological health. Studying psychological health, researcher Beezhold has demonstrated that vegetarian diets are associated with healthier mood states, with less negative emotions, compared to a diet that includes meat. Conversely, he discovered that restricting the eating of meat, fish, and poultry could improve the mood.12,13

Now there is the Lord’s Supper, or table of the Lord, and there is the table of devils. “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.” 14 

What might one find to eat on the table of the devil? 

Zechariah can help us understand what is on the devil's table. “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat,”15

Why would Satan want people to be eating meat?

“Dr. Morrow took 200 New Zealand rabbits and divided them into five groups of about 40 rabbits each. Each group was fed a different diet ranging from the standard rabbit food of alfalfa pellets to hamburger. The rabbits given hamburger required extra time to get accustomed to a meat diet. But after developing a taste for it, they consistently refused supplemental rabbit chow. Their preference for hamburger was so strong that they would go several days without eating available vegetable food, waiting for the hamburger to be served.”

“Ordinarily rabbits are peaceful animals, but the hamburger diet made a dramatic change in their personalities. They actually became vicious. They were prone to kill and eat their babies. It was not uncommon for them to fight to the death. At times, if one of the rabbits would die, the others would become cannibalistic. Eventually, the caretaker had to be careful in handling these hamburger-eating rabbits in order to keep from being bitten. The caretaker himself, after noticing the change in the rabbits, became a vegetarian.” “Dr. Morrow went on to explain that man is considered an omnivore, or both herbivorous and carnivorous, and yet it has been fairly well recognized that if one wishes to have a tough, mean fighter in the human, this can be achieved by a meat diet as opposed to a vegetarian diet. He stated that this is well-known in boxing circles. He testified personally to the difference in himself when on a vegetarian diet as opposed to a meat diet. He felt much more aggressive on a flesh diet. He concluded that to strengthen those characteristics that are associated with a higher level of spirituality, a vegetarian diet would be helpful.”16

Meat is not the only food known to incite aggression. This violent characteristic can also be incited by a diet high in sugar, especially from soft drinks. Solnick, a research scientist, has demonstrated that students who use more sugar-laden soft drinks exhibit increased aggressive behavior toward their fellow classmates. 17,18

Metaphors are employed in the Bible to improve our understanding of spiritual things. One such is the concept that Jesus was the manna Israel ate in the wilderness. Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”19 Here’s the question: If manna represented Jesus Christ, what does the meat that they lusted after represent?

Paul states that by seducing the Israelites to lust for a meat diet, Satan overthrew them in the wilderness and that we can learn from their failure.

“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 20

Behavior can deteriorate significantly on a meat diet. Research scientist, Oddy, found that adolescent behavior is significantly better on a fresh fruit and vegetable diet than on a meat diet. 21

Diet reform is to be progressive. As we near the heavenly Canaan, our diet will more closely match that of heaven. “Let the diet reform be progressive. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men.” “Let them teach the people to preserve the health and increase the strength by avoiding the large amount of cooking that has filled the world with chronic invalids. By precept and example make it plain that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the best for man's use as he seeks to regain that sinless state.”22

What was Jesus talking about when He mentions a fast for His followers?

“And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”23

Josephus, the great historian of the Jews makes some very interesting observations about the sacrificial system. At the time of Jesus’ statement, regarding a coming era of fasting, the sacrificial system was still in full swing. Josephus estimates that toward the close of the Jewish feasts, the Passover was associated with the slaughter of 255,000 sacrificial animals. 24 Indeed, the sacrificial system, as conducted in the days of Israel, practically necessitated a herdsman’s occupation, and thus lent itself to a meat diet. One could easily get the idea by reading all the dietary accounts of the post flood Bible heroes that all the world was eating meat. Jesus came to fulfill prophecy. One such prophecy foretold the termination of the sacrificial system, which we have pointed out, that made meat eating seem so natural.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,”25 Jesus was moving the early Christian church away from an economy based on animals to one based on plant foods. The early disciples were transitioning to the New Testament or diet of the new Christian church. This can be seen in the menu of the Lord’s supper. “And they made ready the Passover.” “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” 26

From this passage, it is clear that whatever was served at the Lord’s supper will be on the menu in heaven.

Heaven is a place of peace and non-violence. No article of food will be served necessitating the suffering of innocent animals. The lion will lay down with the lamb and neither of them will be in fear that Jesus or we will want to eat them.

Jesus was preparing His disciples for the long haul through the dark ages until He should return to receive them as His own. Are we cooperating with Him in preparing for translation?

“Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven. The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled. Gratification of taste should not be consulted irrespective of physical, intellectual, or moral health.” 27

Our goal is to accustom ourselves here to the diet we know God will be providing for us when we reach the beauties of heaven. We need to progress to the diet of heaven.

To recap: The menu of the Lord’s Supper was something that Jesus can eat with us in heaven. It seems Jesus was instituting a new dietary era for His church. He was causing the economy of meat eating to cease and the era fasting from flesh and a luxurious diet to begin. This is referred to in terms of a fast that would last till the bridegroom should return at His second coming.

“How could the children of the bride-chamber fast when the bridegroom was yet with them? But when he should go back to Heaven, leaving his disciples to meet alone the unbelief and darkness of the world, then it would be fitting for the church to fast and mourn, until her absent Lord should return the second time.” 28

Meat was not a part of Jesus’ preparation when He went to meet the devil in the wilderness.

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.” 29

We are to follow Jesus in everything as the children of Israel should have, even in their diet choices. “Although Christ was suffering the keenest pangs of hunger, He withstood the temptation. He repulsed Satan with the same scripture He had given Moses to repeat to rebellious Israel when their diet was restricted and they were clamoring for flesh meats in the wilderness, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” 30

We are to follow Jesus in His use of scripture to meet temptation, and in His choice of diet in preparation for spiritual warfare. This fasting is a preparation for the final conflict. The 144,000 are those who “follow the Lamb where ever He goeth”. They do what He does; they follow Him in His abstemious diet in preparation for the final showdown.

Why fast?

The Bible is clear: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” 31 Fasting and “afflicting” your soul go together.

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” 32

Even the heathen realize the importance of fasting! When confronted with annihilation, the inhabitants of Nineveh fasted as they sought the God of heaven. Are we as insightful, as we live in the hour of the Judgment?

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” 33

The layout of the sanctuary suggests a progression in diet. As one came to the tabernacle, the first door or curtain led to the courtyard. The gentiles were left outside the courtyard, and they were known to eat unclean meat. Within the courtyard was the alter of sacrifice where lambs were offered. The common Jew offered sacrifices of only clean animals in the courtyard. The next door or curtain led into the Holy Place. Only the priest entered the Holy Place where food items included bread, grape juice and olive oil. The next curtain or door led to the Most Holy Place. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place where were found only manna and almonds. Our goal is to be able to enter the Most Holy Place where the presence of God is, where only the pure and holy, those thoroughly cleansed of sin, can enter and not die from His holy presence.

The time since the commencement of the Judgment in 1844 is a time of fasting and soul searching as it was for ancient Israel on the Day of Atonement. “On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls,” 34

This afflicting of the soul included the fasting about which we have been speaking. “I humbled (afflicted) my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” 35

Not everyone catches this spirit of fasting. To fast or not to fast is the question? Isaiah speaks to this dilemma. He writes of God’s call to fast and afflict one's soul. He writes about the peoples' rebellious reaction. Then, he tells of God’s judgment on their refusal to fast and afflict their souls in preparation for the final judgment. “And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.” 36

When God says, “Get ready! Fast and pray!”, partying, eating meat and drinking wine, is not suitable. Daniel teaches us some important principles of fasting. Daniel’s fast was not total abstinence of food. “I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” 37

What is the purpose and effect of this kind of fast, a fast from stimulating foods?

A fascinating study was conducted at UCLA. Researcher Douglass wanted to see the effect of a vegan diet on sufferers of high blood pressure and being overweight. The participants were fed a largely fresh fruit and vegetable diet like God gave Adam. Yes, they lost weight and their blood pressures came down, but what really caught the attention of the researchers, and of myself, was an unexpected finding. In their comments about the study, the researchers stated, “Eighty percent of those who smoked or drank alcohol abstained spontaneously.” Now let’s put this in perspective, Alcoholics Anonymous would be happy with a 15% recovery rate. Here in the UCLA study, we have a group of people who are NOT told to stop drinking and smoking, but on a large vegan diet, 80% of them spontaneously stop drinking and smoking. Get this; here is a diet that science proves is supportive of a victorious life in Christ. 38  ***Note: Vegetables were added AFTER sin and they need to be cooked per SOP.  See: Ed 205

If we are to be among Jesus’ end time faithful people, we will need to pay a special attention to God’s diet for us.

Is your body ready for heaven? God wants to sanctify it for heaven. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 39

Either we will be sanctified for heaven, aided with the help of a good diet, or we will fail in preparation for Christ’s second coming.

Conclusion:

• The ultimate goal is a return to the Garden of Eden, on the new earth, where no trace of sin or meat eating will be found.
• The journey must lead one to heaven, as God operates it. In God’s order, a plant based abstemious diet is optimal for the unimpaired happiness of all His creatures.
• Jesus championed this by transitioning the Hebrew economy from one centered on animal sacrifice to one founded on the last supper--based in plant foods, in preparation for the enjoyment of heaven’s diet and the marriage supper of the Lamb.

References:

1. Numbers 11:4, King James Version.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where%27s_the_beef%3F
3. Teschemacher H. Opioid receptor ligands derived from food proteins. Curr Pharm Des. 2003;9(16):1331-44.
4. Psalms 95:7-11, see Heb 3:8,15, King James Version.
5. Psalms 78:17-31, King James Version.
6. White, E. G. (1884, October 21). “Remarks at Michigan Health and Temperance Association.” The Review and Herald. par. 2.
7. Granic A, Davies K, Adamson A, Kirkwood T, Hill TR, Siervo M, Mathers JC, Jagger C. Dietary Patterns High in Red Meat, Potato, Gravy, and Butter Are Associated with Poor Cognitive Functioning but Not with Rate of Cognitive Decline in Very Old Adults. J Nutr. 2016 Feb;146(2):265-74.
8. Nyaradi A, Foster JK, Hickling S, Li J, Ambrosini GL, Jacques A, Oddy WH. Prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014 Sep;55(9):1017-24.
9. Molteni R, Barnard RJ, Ying Z, Roberts CK, Gómez-Pinilla F. A high-fat, refined sugar diet reduces hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal plasticity, and learning. Neuroscience. 2002;112(4):803-14.
10. White, E. G. (1923). Counsels on Health. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association. P. 150.
11. Psalms 106:14,15, King James Version.
12. Beezhold BL, Johnston CS, Daigle DR. Vegetarian diets are associated with healthy mood states: a cross- sectional study in Seventh-day Adventist adults. Nutr J. 2010 Jun 1;9:26.
13. Beezhold BL, Johnston CS. Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012 Feb 14;11:9.
14. 1 Corinthians 10:21, King James Version.
15. Zechariah 11:15-17, King James Version.
16. Spangler, J R; “Editorial: Hamburgers or Angel’s Food” Ministry: International Journal for Pastors; Silver Spring MD; September 1989 Archives; https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1989/09/hamburgers-or-angels-food Quoted in Steve Wall, BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES REGARDING DIETARY FOR HUMANTY, Dissertation for Ph.D. in Biblical Studies.
17. Solnick SJ, Hemenway D. The 'Twinkie Defense': the relationship between carbonated non-diet soft drinks and violence perpetration among Boston high school students. Inj Prev. 2012 Aug;18(4):259-63.

18. Solnick SJ, Hemenway D. Soft drinks, aggression and suicidal behaviour in US high school students. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2014;21(3):266-73.

19. John 6:51, King James Version.
20. 1 Corinthians 10:5,6,11, King James Version.
21 Oddy WH, Robinson M, Ambrosini GL, O'Sullivan TA, de Klerk NH, Beilin LJ, Silburn SR, Zubrick SR, Stanley FJ. The association between dietary patterns and mental health in early adolescence. Prev Med. 2009 Aug;49(1):39-44.
22. White, E. G. (1902). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association. P. 135.
23. Luke 5:33-35, King James Version.
24. Josephus, The Jewish War, Translated by A.G. Williamson (New York: Penguin Books, 1970), 24.
25. Daniel 9:27, King James Version.
26. Luke 22:13-20, King James Version.
27. White, E. G. (1871). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association. P. 352.
28. White, E. G. (1877). The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. P. 192.
29. Luke 4:1, King James Version.
30. White, E. G. (1971). Confrontation. Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. p. 43.
31. Matt 17:21, King James Version.
32. Ezra 8:21,23, King James Version.
33. Jonah 3:5, King James Version.
34. Levi 23:26-32, King James Version.
35. Psalms 35:13, King James Version.
36. Isaiah 22:12-14, King James Version.
37. Daniel 10:3, King James Version.
38. Douglass JM, Rasgon IM, Fleiss PM, Schmidt RD, Peters SN, Abelmann EA. Effects of a raw food diet on hypertension and obesity. South Med J. 1985 Jul;78(7):841-4.
39. 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24, King James Version.

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