The subject of food tends to be a touchy subject in Christianity. For some, it is believed that we can eat anything. For others, it is believed that there is a strict guideline pertaining to the Christian diet. Well, what is true?
Does God, in fact, command His followers to eat a particular way? Are there foods which we ought to abstain from? If so, does God give reason for the command toward abstinence? Does He say anything at all regarding diet? Moreover, if God has commanded His people to eat a particular diet, does this command pertain to one group of people? Or, does it pertain to ALL His people? Do the food/health laws of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 still apply to us today?
What many seem to ignore is the fact that God has told us exactly HOW to study Scripture. He made it very simple for us by lovingly revealing how to gain proper knowledge of Scriptural doctrine.
Isaiah 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
What this means is, to understand what God is saying about any given subject, we must take EVERY verse concerning the subject from Genesis to Revelation, put them together and see what is actually being said. Simply taking one verse here out of context and one verse there out of context won’t cut it when trying to understand God’s Word. And this is where many become confused about food and other subjects.
What I hope to accomplish in this writeup is to clear the fog surrounding the subject of food in the Bible. I pray that you will be blessed by what you read here today.
Science recently proved the Biblical diet of the early SDA church (Note: I am not an SDA) was actually the best diet to prevent disease and allow for long life. In fact, even though people in Asian cultures don’t adhere to the Biblical diet, on the charts of those that live long due to diet, SDA’s are #1, but the Chinese people are #2 because even though they eat unclean meats and such, they eat them in very small portions. Ever notice how their dishes are mostly rice and vegetables? And so, this proves the clean foods spoken of in the Bible are beneficial to long life.
Ask a person on the street that balks at what we say about unclean foods; would you eat a fly? After they say no, ask them why and they will say because flies eat rotted waste. So, respond with, correct! And with that said do you believe they were designed by God to eat rotted waste so as to prevent the planet from being one huge smelly mess? And they will say, yes. And then ask them, why do you suppose the Lord created the pig, coyote, hyena, rats, oyster, shrimp, clam, catfish or lobster just to name a few? They sometimes won’t respond because they know what we’re up to and don’t want to admit that some of those animals are part of their diet. And so, tell them, God designed those animals to eat rotted waste on land and in the sea. That being the case, if you wouldn’t eat a small fly because of what’s in his stomach as well as in his system from all the rotted waste it eats every moment of the day, why then do you eat pigs and such that are nothing more than flies only much larger?
The fact people eat such things today is the reason disease is off the chart in the USA and many other nations. As for having a verse by verse way to show them all this, if they don’t believe God who penned what He did about unclean animals, or the proof He outlined in Daniel’s experience, then it won’t matter how many Bible verses we give them. The Word of God doesn’t go into detail verse by verse on how unclean food destroys the temple we walk in. But then, being that He is Creator, why should He have to do so when those that obey Him never ask Him to “prove it.” It’s like I’ve always said, God said it, I believe it, that settles it.
Why Does God Allow People to Have Disease?
Absolute truth is such that, if all that is needed as it was in creation is present today, then the grass on your lawn will be green. If one element is taken away, then the grass will be brown and die. Also, if one element is added that was not designed to be there, the grass will die. Same thing goes for humans. God created man perfectly. Man created pollution, drugs, unhealthy food, anxiety, and other elements that take away from or add to that which was planned to make a perfect baby. And some blame GOD? Why?
The Bible blesses us with proof that the Biblical diet is not only spiritually better for us, it’s physically and mentally better as well. Notice the following …
Daniel 1:11-15,20 “Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”
Just to clarify, the word “pulse” is defined in the Bible as vegetables.
H2235
זֵרָעֹן זֵרֹעַ
zêrôa‛ zêrâ‛ôn
zay-ro’-ah, zay-raw-ohn’
From H2232; something sown (only in the plural), that is, a vegetable (as food): – pulse.
Amazing how the Biblical diet that Daniel and his friends chose was the best thing for their bodies. Yet today we see all sorts of people declaring, “you need meat for protein!” However, look at the cow, giraffe, elephant, hippo, or rhino. Or, go back a few thousand years and look at the largest animal that ever lived. The Brontosaurus! None of these animals ate meat! Where did they get their proteins? That’s right! In the same place we were designed to get them!
One more thing to note here is that God fed His people manna 40 years in the desert because they needed to get HEALTHY before entering the promised land! Manna is not meat.
Is It Okay to Eat Unclean Animals Today?
Many will say that after the cross of Christ, the Biblical diet changed to allow us to eat all that the Almighty created. The devil has been very instrumental in hiding the basic common sense of this Biblical fact. One question: Did the Almighty Creator RE-CREATE all the people on planet earth so as to make their bodies able to consume foods they were not designed for originally? Or, did the Almighty RE-CREATE the unclean animals so as to make them suddenly edible to us? Seems like a dumb question, doesn’t it? Then why do so many people choose to believe they can now eat food that is proven dangerous to their bodies?
Another basic fact is, have you ever noticed the high death rate in the USA due to people eating unclean foods? Everything from cancer, heart disease, strokes, liver diseases, kidney diseases, blood disorders, etc. Ever notice this as well? In countries where unclean food is scarce, people not only live longer, they have extremely rare occurrences of all the diseases we see as normal, everyday life occurrences in the USA. Is it a Biblical fact that we should not only be prospering in our souls, we should also be blessed with healthy bodies? It is written in,
3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
Fact is, there is New Testament evidence that the Bible Christians did not eat unclean foods after the cross of Christ as some declare. 3.5 years after the cross of Christ, Peter receives a vision of the Lord.
Acts 10:11-13 “And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.”
As we know, the Word says Peter misunderstood the vision in Acts 10:17.
Acts 10:17 “Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,”
Because of this misunderstanding, Peter confidently declares to the Lord Himself that he has never eaten anything unclean! However, the Lord keeps saying “kill and eat” and Peter keeps saying no, nothing unclean has entered my mouth!
Acts 11:8 “But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.”
Again, keep in mind this is 3.5 years after the cross when some say it was ok to eat pork, or other unclean foods. Later in the very same book of Acts, we see Peter contemplates the vision of the sheet, and finally understands it completely. In fact, he understands it so clearly that he then shares with those looking on what it really meant.
Acts 10:28 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
So, how is it that people say you can eat pork after Christ’s death, when Peter sees the vision was meant for MAN and NOT animals?
One more thing to ponder. How can it be that there were many types animals declared “unclean” by God in the book of Genesis before the flood, these same animals are still declared “unclean” by Peter in his vision recorded in Acts 10, these animals were still considered unclean in John’s vision while on Patmos, and then Isaiah the prophet describes people that eat these unclean animals that are alive at the second coming to be worthy of death, but these animals are now considered CLEAN?
Isaiah 66:15-17 “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.”
Revelation 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
More on Acts 10
In visions, just like in prophecy, we must understand how the Lord speaks. He often uses a pictorial language, and just as in prophecy, symbols in vision must be defined. He actually speaks this way to protect His Word and His people who have eyes that see. The prophetic symbols allow for the wise to understand, but the wicked cannot decipher it because they don’t study the Bible like we do. As you probably already discovered, the Gentiles were considered “unclean” by the Jews
in Peter’s day just as certain animals in the wild are unclean. In fact, the Jews often called the Gentiles “dogs.” So, why did the Lord say, “kill and eat” three times?
Acts 10:19 “While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.”
The sheet came down THREE times because THREE UNCLEAN MEN were at the door. And the term “kill” is symbolic as well. For example, notice this …
Romans 6:5-8 “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:”
Peter was being instructed by the Lord to help those three men come to a saving knowledge of the Lord that would allow them to be “dead with Christ.” In accepting Christ as Saviour, they would kill off their old ways and become anew in Christ. As for eating, notice this …
Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
When we “eat” the Word, we digest the truth all the way to the heart.
Proverbs 19:15 “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”
This verse is true in both a literal and spiritual sense. We all crave knowledge in the same way we crave food. When we crave the knowledge of God, we hunger after the knowledge of God. And to be deprived of His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and interpretation is to suffer the pains of hunger. The slothful, idle, and prideful soul hungers for knowledge, but is self-satisfied in what it thinks it believes.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Did Jesus Eat Fish?
Luke 24:39-43 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.”
First of all, do a short Bible study and you will find the word “meat” was associated with different types of food. For example, both flesh and baked goods were called “meat” in the Old Testament numerous times. So, did Jesus eat the fish? Or was it that He was offered fish and honeycomb, but “chose” to eat only the honeycomb? Please take note that He was also offered gall on Calvary to drink and “chose” not to drink it.
Matthew 27:34 “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”
Just because Jesus is offered something to eat or drink, does not mean He will automatically eat it. Plus, prophecy did touch on His diet.
Isaiah 7:15 “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”
Did Jesus Eat Fish After He Resurrected?
Luke 24:39-43 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.”
The Bible isn’t clear regarding whether or not Jesus ate the fish offered Him that day. But as I do a line upon line and precept upon precept, as we are instructed to do by the Lord Himself in Isaiah 28:9-10, I come to the conclusion that, no, I do not believe Jesus ate fish after He resurrected.
Isaiah 28:9-10 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
First of all, if you do a short Bible study and you will find the word “meat” was associated with different types of food. For example, flesh, baked goods and even fruit were called “meat” in the Old Testament numerous times. So, did Jesus eat the fish? Or, was it that He was offered fish and honeycomb, but chose to eat only the honeycomb?
Please take note that He was also offered gall on the cross at Calvary to drink and it is obvious that He chose not to drink it.
It says in,
Matthew 27:34 “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”
Again, just because Jesus is offered something to eat or drink, does not mean He will automatically eat it. We must also keep in mind that there is no meat eating in Heaven. All present in His kingdom will be enjoying the diet of Eden wherein no animals were killed to satisfy the hunger. Plus, Jesus is the Creator and He just stepped out of Heaven to appear unto the apostles. I find it out of character that while in Heaven he would not eat fish and then a few seconds later when He appears on earth He will. Plus, again, prophecy did touch on His diet long ago did it not?
It says in,
Isaiah 7:14-15 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”
I know some may see that as a far stretch toward answering the question. But, again the Bible does not give a “thus saith the Lord” on this in a single passage. So, as we see with some other doctrinal meat in Scripture, the line upon line and here a little and there a little instruction is the best way for erring man who still looks through glasses darkly to get a glimpse at what the truth is on this one.
Can We Only Eat Meat from Animals We Personally Kill? What About the Blood?
There are still ways to get clean meats today, but the problem with today’s grocery stores is that they NEVER remove the blood from the animals, nor do they have a Rabbi witness the killing. Now yes, you can find kosher markets, but the cost for the meat is at least three times the price and they still don’t remove the drugs from the animals. And such markets are so few and far between, that you may have to drive over two hours just to get to one. Still, the main issue most people fail to realize about even the clean meats is, you still must get the blood out of the meat. Check out these 3 verses of many that declare the Lord’s will on this and why.
Genesis 9:4 “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.”
Leviticus 17:11-12 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.”
Deuteronomy 12:23 “Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.”
There are many other verses that echo all this, but these three passages should suffice.
Hebrews 5:14
Hebrews 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
The easiest way I can see to explain this is to say that when I was new to Christianity, I studied the Word of God daily. In fact, I still do this to this day, but as a babe in Christ I was blessed rather quickly with understanding as I continued each and every day to feast on His Word. But, it wasn’t until the Lord started to send people asking questions wherein I had to study more of His Word in order to answer their questions that I noticed that my ability to discern good and evil was increasing even more with every passing day. Studying the Word daily grants us much faith because we know it is written in,
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
But sharing our faith with others increases our faith much more as our Lord sees He can trust us to help others to see, and so He blesses us to do so.
And notice this as well. Not only does more faith come when we read the Word of God, it says this in,
Psalm 119:97-104 “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
Now as for the term “meat” being used in Hebrews 5:14, notice what it says here in,
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”
As is obvious, this is speaking of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In fact, later on in chapter six of the book of John Jesus sated this in,
John 6:55 “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”
When we are little babies, our mothers give us milk. When we are weaned off the milk we can eventually eat meat. And by meat I am speaking of every Biblical definition of meat; from clean meat (if the parents are not yet partaking in the Edenic diet), to the meat of a peach, pear or even a loaf of bread. Well, it’s the same way with a babe in Christ. At first, they dine on the milky passages in the Word of God which are easy to understand. If they are faithful, they will eventually start to dine on the meaty Scripture and as Paul intimates, they will have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil in a much better fashion which is fitting for the soul seeking to bring many souls into the truth.
And just so you know, Paul does speak on the milk and meat of Scripture for those that need to share it with others.
You can find it in,
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”
Food Laws Part of Ordinances?
The law contained in “ordinances” was abolished at the cross because they pointed to that which Messiah was to do for the salvation of mankind. However, the laws regarding health and well-being were never abolished. Where the Mosaic law is prophetic in nature, the laws regarding health and well-being are not. In fact, modern day science had proven long ago that all the foods that are called unclean in the Bible do actually bring on all sorts of disease, including cancer, to this day. Reason being is, we are still walking in the same human bodies we had when the health message was originally penned, and like back then, unclean animals are still dangerous to eat today. Eating a pig today not only defiles the body but sickens it as well.
You can also look at it this way: If someone invented a gasoline engine 5000 years ago, would we think it would be able to run by using milk as a fuel today? Of course not. That engine was designed to run on a combustible fuel. Changing its fuel would render it inoperable. Well, our Creator made us with bodies that thrive on certain foods. If we eat, or fuel, the body with food outside our Creator’s design specifications, then we will eventually break down and die.
1 Corinthians 10:25-27
1 Corinthians 10:25-27 “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake. For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.”
The Jews only bought from Jews. Therefore, whatever was sold in the shambles was already known to be clean. For example, a Jew would never buy or sell a pig at market because they knew Scripture states plainly that it would defile the body and they would lose many customers. Therefore, no unclean animals would be sold. Using this verse to sanction unclean foods is easily combatted by using simple historic facts regarding Jewish custom and Old Testament Scripture regarding clean and unclean animals.
Will We Eat in Heaven?
Yes, we will be able to eat in Heaven, but there will be no meat eating in Heaven. We will be back on the diet of Eden. In fact, the Bible says plainly that at our very first gathering as the Bride of Jesus, we will be served a great feast in Heaven.
Revelation 19:9 “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
So yes, we will be eating in Heaven. Even the animals will be eating.
Isaiah 65:21-22 “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”
Isaiah 11:6-9 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
So again, yes, we will be eating in this “holy mountain” or “Heaven” as we call it today. In fact, we will also be drinking grape juice because Jesus Himself said in,
Matthew 26:29 “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
As for the tree of life, it will be in the city for all of us to eat from. It says in,
Revelation 22:2 “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
The fact the Bible touches on this more than a few times proves that many other false religions, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, are taught to place their creed, or “statement of faith”, above that which is written in the Bible. Something as simple as eating in Heaven proves they do not trust the Word of God as the obedient Remnant of her seed does today. After all, why is there fruit in the city of Heaven in the tree of life if no one’s going to eat it?
Is Praying for Thanks in Public a Violation of Matthew 6:1?
Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
No violation there. It’s when you pray out loud before non-believers that violating Matthew 6:1 comes into play. Yes, sometimes preachers do pray out loud in public, but that’s only when there is a gathering of believers and prayer is offered up for baptism or some other situation at hand. What Jesus is talking about in,
Matthew 6:1 is where people do religious acts before many for the sake of being recognized as “holier than thou.” Verses 2-6 go more into this when it says …
Matthew 6:2-6 “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
As we can see, especially in verses 2 & 5, those that do such things, do so for a “reward” from mankind. The reward they receive is recognition from men that look upon them as “holy” because of their religious act. As Christians, we prefer the Lord to look upon our hearts first, and we have no desire to seek the approval of men. Bowing at a meal in a restaurant is actually a private act as you do so with closed eyes and closed mouth. Yes, some may see you do this, but it’s not because you did so in a way wherein they had no choice but to look at you, as speaking out loud would have done. Truth is, doing so in as humble as a manner as you can muster, can actually bless a seeker that looks on. Just as our Lord has you pray in silence to seek a blessing, He may very well have a seeker nearby that needed to see you do that. As I’ve always said, we may be the only Bible some people ever read.
Romans Chapter 14
Romans 14:3-6 “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. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”
Romans 14:14 “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
Romans 14:20 “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.”
Verses 3-6 in Romans 14 discusses those who eat certain things as opposed to those who do not. The Word doesn’t say who is right and who is wrong here, instead it speaks on not passing judgment on others. In other words, let God be the judge.
Romans 14:4 “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:10-12 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Verses 14 and 20 are NOT referring to “UNCLEAN FOODS” as is described in Leviticus 11 or Deuteronomy 14. It is openly speaking of food that is “OFFERED TO IDOLS” instead. Some Christians would have you believe otherwise so as to “okay” sin, and in turn destroy not only your temple, but your testimony as well. These foods were “CEREMONIALLY UNCLEAN” period! It was NOT speaking of clean and unclean by nature in any way, shape, or form.
The actual point of the discussion here in Romans 14 is that no food is unclean or impure simply because some non-believer offered it up to an idol. An idol is “nothing in the world”
1 Corinthians 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”
Fact here is, if a person is bothered in his conscience because he is eating such foods, then he or she should simply not eat that food. PLUS, if that which is “truly” clean, but is seen as “unclean” by your brother because of how the food has been “offered to idols,” then we as Christians should abstain from eating those foods so as to not cause our brother to be offended. Simple fact is, the Creator chooses that which is clean and unclean, NOT mankind and his useless idols. It appears that some Christians are allowing their idol to preach unto to church at large, ONLY their idol is saying it’s ok to eat unclean foods. Or, their idol is saying it’s not ok to eat clean meat. They totally miss the fact that it’s really “CLEAN” foods that are being offered to the idols. They only “appear” unclean by those who BELIEVE in the power of idols.
1 Timothy 4:4
1 Timothy 4:3-5 “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 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.”
If you read verse 3 you will see that verse 4 is speaking of meats “which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving” by His people. And Biblical fact here is His people NEVER would give thanks for a pig or any other unclean meat as Leviticus 11, or Deuteronomy 14 speaks of. If you also look at verse 5, you will also see that these meats are those that are “sanctified” by the Lord. And the Lord never sanctified pigs or other unclean animals.
By the way, some believe if you give thanks for unclean foods, God will allow for sanctification upon you or that food. However, it is written in,
Isaiah 66:17 “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.”