As more people turn to veganism, some wonder what the Bible says about eating only plant-based foods. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly advocate for veganism, it does provide guidance on dietary choices, stewardship of animals, and caring for our bodies. Understanding biblical principles around food and creation can offer insight into this lifestyle choice.
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What Does The Bible Say About Veganism
Genesis 1:29
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
This verse highlights God’s original plan for human beings to consume plant-based foods. It emphasizes the abundance of vegetation as nourishment for humanity.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle aligns with God’s intention for the earth and promotes good stewardship of His creation, respecting the value of all living creatures and reducing harm to the environment.
Proverbs 12:10
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
This verse illustrates the importance of compassion towards animals. As followers of Christ, we are called to show kindness and care for all creatures.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be an expression of this compassion, as it refrains from participating in the cruelty and exploitation often associated with animal agriculture.
Isaiah 11:6
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
This verse portrays a vision of harmony and peace in God’s kingdom, where predator and prey coexist peacefully. It reminds us of the inherent value and worth of every living being.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be seen as a step towards promoting this vision of peace and reconciliation, by actively seeking to reduce harm and violence towards animals.
Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
This verse follows the flood narrative, where God gives Noah and his family permission to eat meat. It signifies a shift in dietary practices after the flood.
While this verse allows for the consumption of meat, it does not mandate it. Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be a personal decision to align with the principles of compassion, sustainability, and health.
Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
This verse emphasizes the importance of love and relationships over indulging in excess and luxury. It highlights the significance of choosing a simple, compassionate lifestyle rather than seeking material abundance.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can signify a commitment to prioritize love and compassion over the desire for animal products that may be procured through harmful practices.
Isaiah 66:3
But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations.
This verse highlights God’s displeasure with those who engage in religious rituals without genuine devotion and righteousness. It portrays the rejection of offerings made with impure motives.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be seen as a reflection of genuine devotion, as it aligns with principles of compassion and a desire to honor God’s creation.
Daniel 1:12
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
This verse recounts Daniel’s request to consume only vegetables and water while in captivity. It demonstrates his faithfulness to God’s dietary laws and his commitment to upholding his beliefs.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to honor the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and to maintain purity in accordance with Biblical principles.
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
This verse highlights the importance of considering others’ welfare and not causing them to stumble. It emphasizes the need for sensitivity and selflessness in our lifestyle choices.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can align with this principle, as it avoids participation in industries that may contribute to the mistreatment of animals and harm the conscience of others.
Genesis 6:21
“You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”
This verse refers to God’s instruction for Noah to gather food for himself and the animals during their time on the ark. It demonstrates the provision and care God offers to all creatures, both human and animal.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be seen as a way to honor God’s provision, respecting His creation by making conscientious choices in food consumption.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of honoring God with our bodies, recognizing that we belong to Him and that the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to steward our bodies well, by making choices that promote physical health, environmental sustainability, and compassion towards animals.
Isaiah 1:11-17
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
This passage portrays God’s dissatisfaction with meaningless religious rituals devoid of justice, righteousness, and care for the vulnerable.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to actively seek justice, showing compassion towards animals and defending those who are oppressed in the animal agriculture industry.
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
This verse highlights the connection between our treatment of others, especially the most vulnerable, and our relationship with Jesus. It stresses the importance of compassion and care towards those in need.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be an expression of this compassion, recognizing the inherent value and worth of animals and seeking to alleviate their suffering.
Leviticus 11:2-3
“Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.”
This verse establishes specific dietary guidelines for the Israelites, allowing the consumption of certain animals with specific characteristics.
While these guidelines were given to a particular people at a specific point in history, choosing a vegan lifestyle can reflect a desire to align with the overarching principles of reverence for life, compassion, and stewardship of God’s creation.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
This verse calls believers to present themselves as living sacrifices to God, offering their whole being and lives in devoted service to Him.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be seen as an act of worship, a genuine expression of gratitude and obedience to God’s mercy and a desire to honor Him by making choices that promote compassion, justice, and stewardship.
Romans 8:19-21
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
This passage highlights the interconnectedness of the created world and the hope for its ultimate redemption and restoration.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be seen as a reflection of this hope, participating in the anticipation of the liberation of all creation from the effects of sin and decay.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse underscores the importance of generosity towards those in need. It emphasizes the blessing that comes from selflessness and care for others.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to embrace this generosity by actively contributing to addressing food insecurity, reducing resource consumption, and advocating for equitable distribution of global resources.
Romans 14:13-14
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.”
This verse encourages believers to extend grace and refrain from passing judgment on matters of personal conviction and preference.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be seen as a personal conviction, and it is important to respect the choices and beliefs of others while maintaining a spirit of unity and love within the Christian community.
Psalm 145:9
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
This verse highlights God’s goodness and compassion towards all of His creation. It emphasizes His care and concern for every living being.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to reflect this compassion and extend it to the animal kingdom, honoring God’s heart for all His creatures.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
This passage emphasizes that all things created by God are good and can be enjoyed with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be seen as an expression of gratitude and reverence for God’s creation, making conscientious choices that align with His desire for love, justice, and stewardship.
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
This verse reminds us of God’s provision and care for all creation, highlighting His attention even to the needs of birds.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be an acknowledgement of this provision and an effort to live in harmony with God’s care for all His creatures, trusting in His ability to provide.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
This verse calls believers to wear virtues such as compassion and kindness, highlighting them as essential qualities of a follower of Christ.
Choosing a vegan lifestyle can be seen as an embodiment of these virtues, displaying compassion and kindness towards all creatures and demonstrating humility in our approach to the world around us.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse encourages believers to live every aspect of their lives in a way that brings glory to God, including their eating habits.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to honor God by making choices that reflect His values of love, compassion, and stewardship, ultimately glorifying Him through our daily actions.
Psalm 50:10-11
“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
This verse reminds us of God’s ownership of all creatures and His intimate knowledge of every living being.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be seen as an act of recognizing and respecting God’s sovereignty over His creation, and our role as stewards of His entrusted resources.
Psalm 104:10-14
“He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth.”
This passage celebrates God’s provision through the abundance of creation, providing water, food, and sustenance for all living beings.
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a way to honor and appreciate God’s provisions, making choices that promote sustainability and conservation of the Earth’s resources.