GOD’S FOOD LAWS: The Moral and Spiritual Aspects of 'CLEAN AND UNCLEAN'

"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a person."--Jesus in Mark 7:15

MOST modern preachers will immediately jump and conclude that food laws in Scripture are abolished with Jesus' single statement above, without applying its proper context.

This is one reason why for many preachers, God’s food laws are treated as insignificant if not irrelevant relics of the Old Testament—mere dietary preferences with no moral or spiritual value. Some even mock the idea that Christians should care about what enters their bodies, insisting that believers are now “free” to eat anything they desire.

But is the issue really that simple? What did Jesus really mean?

Suppose a cook tells you that cobra meat is safe to eat and encourages you to buy and prepare it. Would you immediately consume it without question? Most people would hesitate because they instinctively recognize that not everything available is beneficial or safe for human consumption.

Now consider this: if someone knowingly offers harmful or dangerous food while claiming it is acceptable, does that not involve deception? Does it not become a moral issue? The moment truth, obedience, health, and respect for life are involved, morality enters the picture.

The Bible’s distinction between clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 was never merely about cuisine. It was deeply connected to holiness, obedience, discernment, and reverence toward God.

THE COMMAND TO BE 'HOLY'

God declared to Israel:

“For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44)

Notice that the food laws were tied directly to holiness. God did not separate physical conduct from spiritual character. The Israelites were trained daily to distinguish between what was clean and what was unclean, what was acceptable and what was defiling. Their eating habits became constant reminders that God’s people were called to live differently from the surrounding nations.

The principle reaches far beyond food itself. God was teaching His people discernment—the ability to distinguish truth from error, righteousness from sin, and purity from corruption.

YOUR BODY IS 'THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'

Modern society rejects boundaries. Humanity now argues that people should decide for themselves what is right or wrong. Yet this mindset began long ago in Eden when the serpent tempted Eve to determine morality apart from God. Ever since, man has sought freedom without submission to the Creator.

But true freedom is not rebellion against God’s instructions. True freedom is living according to the wisdom of the One who designed human life.

The apostle Paul wrote:

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you… therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

If our bodies belong to God, then what we knowingly place into them cannot be dismissed as irrelevant. The careless abuse of the body becomes a spiritual matter because it reflects either respect or disregard for the Creator.

JESUS MAGNIFIED, NOT ABOLISHED GOD'S LAW

Jesus Himself never abolished God’s law. He plainly stated:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill [Greek: 'pleroo'; πληρόω; to make full].” (Matthew 5:17)

Christ did not erase God’s standards; He magnified their spiritual depth. In Mark 7:15, 21-23, Jesus explained that evil thoughts, greed, deceit, lust, pride, and wickedness proceeding from the heart are what truly defile a person. Yet nowhere did He declare formerly unclean animals to be holy food.

Instead, Jesus was correcting the Pharisees’ obsession with ritual handwashing traditions while neglecting inner righteousness. The issue in Mark 7 was human tradition—not God’s dietary instructions.

The physical and spiritual dimensions of obedience work together throughout Scripture. Outward actions reveal inward attitudes. A person who willingly obeys God in the “small” matters demonstrates humility and reverence toward Him.

Even in the New Testament, God’s people are called to live as a separated and holy people:

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

IGNORING GOD'S MORAL BOUNDARIES

The biblical distinction between clean and unclean teaches an enduring spiritual lesson: God cares about holiness in every area of life. What we consume physically can reflect what we embrace spiritually. A culture that ignores divine boundaries in food often ignores divine boundaries in morality as well.

Ultimately, the issue is not merely about diet—it is about obedience. Will mankind trust God’s wisdom above human reasoning? Will believers honor God not only in worship, but also in daily living?

God’s food laws remind us that holiness is not confined to church services or religious rituals. Holiness reaches into the ordinary details of life—including the table before us.

And a heart that truly desires to obey God will never say, “It does not matter what God commands.”