What were some of the foods which you disliked eating as a child? For many, it was often a certain type of vegetable; peas, carrots maybe, maybe beans or beets. For me it was mushrooms. Now maybe it was that I just had a bad one that was a bit too “slimy” but ever since that one childhood experience I generally tend to pick out any mushrooms if they are in the food that I eat. I actually don’t mind small pieces of them, but if they are big slices or completely whole I will refuse to eat them. If people around me are eating mushrooms this doesn’t bother me at all, not one bit. Now I may be an exception, but there may be other people who might have a very difficult time watching or being around others who eat certain foods, and it is for these types of people that we want to bend ourselves to their weak conscience and not do it around them.
Romans 14:14-21 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.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Food is good, made by God to sustain our bodies and for us to enjoy, but we should never eat certain things around others who have a problem with it, if they feel like they will be sinning if they themselves do it.
Not everyone is the same. Some people grow up in different cultures where different foods are eaten, or they may prepare their foods in a different manner, but whatever it is that we eat we can know that the Lord has given it to us to enjoy.
We have been given liberty to eat things which may have been forbidden in the past, but we with that being said we do not want to be an offense to others who may be grieved with the things we eat. It is not wrong to eat things such as beef or pork, but there are many people who believe otherwise. There are also many people who may have a problem controlling their drinking habits, to a point to where they become drunk because they can’t control themselves, and because of this they have to not be around alcohol of any kind. These people you definitely do not want to have a drink around, again, not because it is wrong to drink, but so that you are not the cause of them going back into sin. Just do it somewhere else, at another time.
Romans 14:1-8 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
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.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
The Kingdom of Heaven is more than food and drink. Let us not become a stumbling block to others over it. If you believe that you can eat it, do it, but do it where you don’t offend someone. In everything, praise God for it. Whether it is by yourself or with others, give praise to the Lord for His bounty.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 