In Leviticus 11<\/strong>, God gave the Israelites specific dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals. These laws were part of the Mosaic Covenant<\/strong>, meant to set Israel apart as a holy people devoted to the Lord (cf.<\/p>\n Leviticus 11:44\u201345<\/em>, ESV: \u201cFor I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy\u2026\u201d<\/em>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Leviticus 11:29\u201331 (ESV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd these are unclean to you among the swarming things that swarm on the ground: the mole rat, the mouse, the great lizard of any kind, In this passage, gecko-like creatures are lizards that dwell in trees, while sand lizard refers to rock-dwelling or ground lizards, such as agamas or skinks. Both were considered ceremonially unclean in ancient Israel.<\/p>\n The classification was not based on nutritional or toxicological concerns. Rather, it reflected symbolic and spiritual principles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n With the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant<\/strong>, the ceremonial laws including dietary restrictions were fulfilled in Him.<\/p>\n Mark 7:18\u201319 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Don\u2019t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn\u2019t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.\u2019 (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Acts 10:13\u201315 (ESV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd there came a voice to him: \u2018Rise, Peter; kill and eat.\u2019 But Peter said, \u2018By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.\u2019 These passages show that dietary restrictions no longer apply to believers in Christ. What matters now is the spiritual condition of the heart<\/strong>, not the external observance of ceremonial laws.<\/p>\n Even though eating animals like gecko and sand lizard is now biblically permissible, the New Testament emphasizes wisdom, love, and sensitivity<\/strong> to others when exercising our freedom.<\/p>\n 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c\u2018I have the right to do anything,\u2019 you say but not everything is beneficial. \u2018I have the right to do anything\u2019 but not everything is constructive.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If certain foods are culturally unacceptable, repulsive, or a stumbling block to others, it is perfectly acceptable and wise not to eat them. However, choosing not to eat them does not make one more righteous, nor does eating them defile a believer in Christ.<\/p>\n Biblically, gecko and sand lizard are no longer considered unclean under the New Covenant. While they may not be widely accepted as food in many cultures, consuming them is not sinful. Believers are called to exercise their freedom in Christ responsibly, always guided by love, wisdom, and holiness.<\/p>\n Maranatha<\/strong> \u00a0\u201cThe Lord is coming.\u201d<\/em> (1 Corinthians 16:22)<\/p>\n
\nthe gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.
\nThese are unclean to you among all that swarm. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nWhy Were These Animals Declared Unclean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nNew Covenant Understanding: Freedom in Christ<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAnd the voice came to him again a second time, \u2018What God has made clean, do not call common.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nChristian Liberty and Personal Discernment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nGecko and sand lizard Today<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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