According to Yahoo’s internet search engine, there are over twenty-one million websites under the subject matter of “diet pills”.  The same source shows that there are over thirty-one million websites dedicated to “herbal health”.  The marketplace is full of dietary supplements and herbal cures.  The world seems to be interested in living longer, healthier lives.  By all means, we are supposed to take care of the body that God has blessed each one of us with (Romans 12:1 and I Corinthians 6:20).  There's nothing wrong with someone trying to be healthy.

     With all this interest in living healthy to extend one’s life, there seems to be some attraction to the idea that this life is worth extending.  There is a fear in what comes after life here on earth.  For most who are involved in these things, they ought to fear for they know not the Lord (II Thessalonians 1:8-9).  However, one has to realize that there is no escaping death, save the Lord returning first (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).  It is both a natural and biblical fact, we are going to die someday (Psalms 89:48, Ecclesiastes 3:2; 19-21, and Ecclesiastes 12:7).  Thus, shouldn’t we focus more on the life hereafter than feeble attempts at extending our lives here on this proverbial dumpster we call earth?

    If you’re overweight there is a drug that can solve that.  It will make you cease to be hungry or will increase your metabolism.  Whatever the line, you’ve probably read it or heard it used in some advertisement.  People have become obsessed with “get skinny quick” schemes.  Fact is, as a society in America we eat too much and move to little to burn it off.  No cure in a bottle will make us move from the popcorn, ice cream, and movie to some physical activity and less eating.  Remember, living to eat [gluttony] and being lazy is wrong (Proverbs 23:21; 18:9; 21:25).  Debate solved!

     The world is full of championing cries against eating one thing, drinking another, or not consuming one product that you should have over another.  People are also obsessed on these matters.  Today some might say that you should not eat beef, but tomorrow that same person may say it is good for you.  Today cow’s milk might kill you, but tomorrow that opinion may change too.  Yes, the facts are there through many studies.  Yet, those facts often change (as has reports on coffee, chicken eggs, fat, and even overeating).  Additionally, the debates over what is and what is not chemically altered are endless.  You cannot drink water that is pure and has never come in contact with some chemical.  That is not to excuse the debate, but to state reality.  As we will discuss, there are more worthy matters of such consideration than this debate over what is good for you and what is not.

     The issue of eating meats is not a new issue.  Paul, by way of inspiration (this point is stated because this debate often turns to the credentials of nutritionists and doctors; God trumps both) had to deal with a point in our overall discussion.  Some in the first century wanted to make eating of herbs a spiritual fact.  Paul said: “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him” (Romans 14:2-3).  In fact, to instruct people to abstain from eating meats is a doctrine of demons (I Timothy 4:1-3).  As Paul said: “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:4-5).  Let’s be thankful for the food sources that God has provided and let us eat with thanksgiving.  While the debates will rage on, the Lord’s position is clear: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself…” (Romans 14:14).  There are more worthy subjects of our study time.

     People are spending so much time on what products are natural and what will cause you to lose weight that they are not properly focusing on their spiritual health.  Jesus said: “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  If you want to live, the word of God is the way.  We need to be spending the time we would spend on studying such debates about herbal products and reports about what foods are corrupt, studying and living by the word of God.

     Fact, you can eat as healthy as you want and that will not prevent you from being judged by the Lord about how you lived (Romans 14:11-12).  Fact, you can take all the vitamins sold today and you will still die accountable for what you’ve done in your life on this earth (Hebrews 9:27).  Fact, any product you buy today may kill you, but sin is sure to kill your soul (Ezekiel 18:20, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 6:23, and II Corinthians 5:10).  Fiction, there is a way for the disobedient to escape the wrath of God (I Thessalonians 5:2-3).  Let’s focus on the right information.

     I have found that Christians often get caught up in the world of good health products.  While its okay to have a hobby, this becomes a life for too many who call themselves Christians.  They push their products on brethren and want to preach their message of health.  Sadly, you often find (I have never found an exception to this yet) that those pushy Christians about natural cures have never had such zeal for the Gospel as they do their products.  A simple question, can any herb or dietary supplement save a soul?  A simple answer, NO!  There is a great message to be zealous about.  That message is the saving power of the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16, Romans 1:16, and James 1:21).

     I have heard and seen people who have caught onto these fads of health and nutrition.  Such is not sinful in itself, until these products take over lives and become a god that is worshipped.  We need to caution ourselves that these things appeal to the flesh, not the spirit.  Thus, I conclude with the inspired words of Paul: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8).