The document discusses how Christians should view nutrition and food based on biblical teachings. It explains that our bodies are meant to be living sacrifices to God and we should take care of them by eating healthy and exercising. However, our culture often views food as self-gratification rather than nourishment. The Bible warns against overindulgence and gluttony, as these are sinful behaviors. As Christians, we should ask if our food choices bring glory to God. While food can be enjoyed, our health and the Holy Spirit living within us should be the top priorities.

1. Megan McCarthy
HLTH 330-D01
August 19, 2015
Cultural Perspective Paper
The challenge that God gives us on how to live our lives in Romans 12:1-21 is
one that is difficult and should not be taken lightly. It tells us that our bodies are to
be offered up as living sacrifices to God. Worshipping Him means doing our best to
live like He wants us to through remembering that our bodies are not our own. 1
Corinthians 6:202 reminds us that, “you were bought at a price, Therefore honor God
with your bodies.” We apply this concept to nutrition by taking care of our bodies
and treating them with respect. Eating healthy, providing our bodies with the
nutrients it needs, and exercising are all acts of worship that brings glory to our
Father in heaven.
Our culture has distorted the way that people should look at food. Proverbs
23:19-213 warns us about the way society abuses food and drink. We are told that it
is not wise to overindulge on food and alcoholic drink because that is the equivalent
of being a glutton and a drunkard, which are both sinful behaviors. The Lord wants
us to enjoy food and drink, but not at the expense of our bodies health. We must
partake of these things in moderation so that we are not allowing things we
consume to control us and cause us to sin.
As was proven in Proverbs, our society views food as a way of self-
gratification. It is another way that one can fulfill selfish desires. For example, many
people consume too much alcohol in order to escape from the stress and trails of

2. everyday life instead of facing these issues head-on. Gluttony is often a result of
laziness or lack of self-control. Our bodies all tell us when we have had enough food
and have filled our stomach, but many people chose not to listen to their bodies and
continue eating past the point of satiation. 1 John 2:16-174 reminds us that these
sins our not from God, they are from the world. The desires for gluttony and
drunkenness will pass away with this world. All that matters is that we know God
and worship Him through the way we live our lives.
The Word of God has shaped my personal view on nutrition and it has
instructed me on how I, as a Christian, have been called to live. I believe that food is
meant for our enjoyment and is also meant to sustain us and keep us healthy so that
we can further God’s Kingdom. So where is the line between enjoying a meal and
being gluttonous? 1 Corinthians 10:315 often comes to mind when I wrestle with
questions like these. It says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it
all for the glory of God.” When sitting at the dinner table, or watching a football
game, or even going to the gym to exercise we should be asking ourselves if we are
bring God glory through our lifestyle and the choices we are making. Constantly
eating foods that are unhealthy and overindulging on food and alcohol is not
pleasing to our Savior. I want to take good care of the body He has given me because
as 1 Corinthians 6:196 reminds us, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us.
In my life right now I am still working on finding the right balance between
enjoying what I eat and making sure my body is receiving the nutrients that it needs
each day. I think that this is a lifelong learning process and with each passing year I
get better at understanding my body, my eating and exercise habits, and how I can

3. improve. Ecclesiastes 5:18-207 has been an encouragement to me throughout this
lifelong process. Verse 18 reminds us to enjoy our lives. We should enjoy what we
eat, what we drink, as well as the career we have. Of course there are times when
my body needs more vegetables than I would enjoy eating, but overall I believe that
food and drink are a gift from God, and if they are used correctly and in moderation,
they can be both enjoyable to partake of and beneficial to our health.

4. Citation:
1. Romans 12:1-2. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
2. Corinthians 6:20. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
3. Proverbs 23:19-23. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
4. 1 John 2:16-17. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
5. 1 Corinthians 10:31. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
6. 1 Corinthians 10:19. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.
7. Ephesians 5:18-20. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishing Inc; 2008.