Animals are used as symbolism throughout the Bible, but the most attention is given to them is in the book of Leviticus, where the Lord gives commandments regarding dietary laws. Dividing the animals into groups of clean and unclean, the Lord specifies what is allowed and not allowed to be eaten. Beyond determining which foods are healthy or unhealthy, the greater purpose was to teach through metaphors.

In the book of Acts, Peter was given a vision resembling a great sheet let down from heaven, in which were all manner of beasts and living things. The Lord said, “Arise and eat.” Peter resisted because of the Jewish dietary laws, but the Lord told him not to call what God had cleansed common or unclean. The Lord was referring to the Gentiles.

Paul expounded further on the liberty given to us concerning dietary laws, explaining that every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Furthermore, Paul adds, “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

So then, each of us has the liberty to decide what we will choose to eat as it seems good to us. Jesus said, “Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Then why was the law given, and what changed? The intent was to teach the difference between the clean and the unclean, not as much to purify the flesh but to perfect the spirit by distinguishing between what is good and what is not. Paul taught that the law was given to Moses as a paradigm to guide us toward Christ.

Thus, the clean and unclean beasts were given as examples of natural characteristics and traits we can observe, learn from, and apply to humanity.

For example, carnivorous beasts, poisonous creatures, filthy animals such as the swine, and all other creatures with undesirable attributes were cited as being unclean. These undesirable attributes are present spiritually in human nature, rendering individuals unclean in spirit. The idiom “It is a dog-eat-dog world” conveys how excessively competitive, ruthless, and willing people can be.

To the contrary, in the clean beasts, we find characteristics that express virtues, such as the innocence ascribed to sheep, the labor of the ox, and the peacefulness attributed to the dove. For it pleased God that through creating all things living and nonliving, he could impart knowledge of invisible things to those whom he has chosen.

Regarding the innate nature of man, King Solomon wrote, “I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.”

And indeed, we are beasts. The only thing that separates us from beasts is the conscience of the eternal soul and spirit that God breathed into Adam when He made him a living soul. Without the spirit of God, we instinctively revert to the animal nature of flesh, regardless of our intellect.

The horrendous things happening in the world today are the result of the beastly nature of man ruling over the soul and spirit, thus turning people into animals. This is the natural consequence of people resisting the spirit of God. The Lord said, “My spirit will not always strive with man.” He will not forever deal with your spirit if you refuse to yield.

When God withdraws his spirit after striving with a hardened conscience, he surrenders them to their lust (Romans 1). All that remains when the Spirit of God has departed is the beast.

Everyone has the potential of being ruled by their beast nature, and not all beasts are wild or violent. There are domesticated animals that are quite lovable, and there are wild beasts that will attack and tear you apart. Regardless, all beasts are still beasts given to their own nature, whatever it may be. There are very nice and thoughtful sinners who have been domesticated by social training. Their good deeds and pleasant demeanor will not earn them eternal life.

In the book of Revelation, it is written that outside God’s kingdom are dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and all those who love and make up lies.

Humans can be good-natured and still be just as lost in sin as anyone. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Having an inherently mild nature is not the same as having the Spirit of God, even if that nature imitates goodness. A mild nature is sometimes a source of self-righteous pride that keeps people from ever confronting their faults and coming to Christ.

Jesus told the religious leaders of his day, “The harlots and publicans go into heaven before you.” For indeed, sinners know they are sinners, while the self-righteous disregard their sins, if they can even see them. They may maintain an outward appearance of goodness like trained animals performing tricks for treats; however, this self-serving conformity does not constitute true obedience to the Spirit of the Lord.

Being good-natured is a blessing, but only if you obey God’s Spirit and do his will. Be not high-minded, but fear God.

We are both natural and spiritual beings. However, if we are to enter the Kingdom of God, we must all slay our beasts. And be not deceived; to a certain degree, each of us has them.

It can be harder to kill a beast that is domesticated and likable than one that is wild and destructive, but in either case, the beast in us must die or the soul will—for the beast and soul are in conflict and strive against each other; one will win.

Any person who lives after the will of their flesh is not subject to the Spirit of God and will corrupt their own spirit and the spirit of others whom they influence.

Certainly, some people have a much more difficult nature to bring under subjection to the Spirit of God than others. Pray for such people and have compassion for them. They lead more challenging lives and need to experience the love of Christ through others in the hope that it will guide them to the love of God.

The psalmist says, “Man that is in honor and understandeth not is like the beasts that perish.”

In the end, the Beast is cast into the lake of fire along with those who worship the Beast. Until we accept Christ, there is a beast part of all of us.

Jesus is the clean beast in whom there is no sin—the Lamb of God who was innocent but went willingly to the slaughter to kill our beasts.

Jesus said, “He that eats me, even he shall live by me.” Eat Christ, the Passover Lamb, put on His nature, and live.