What is an animal or creature that you might think, “That is disgusting, I would never eat that”? It might be an odd looking sea creature, or one of the many insects of the Earth. In certain areas of the world it may be “acceptable” or common for people to eat a specific type of animal, and for them it is just normal. It might be something like a giant spider, which, for many people, would be something that they would hardly ever touch, much less eat.
But as we will read in a moment, every creature that God has created is good, and can be eaten, with prayer and a thankful heart.
“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.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Now, in the Old Testament, it was commanded and written in the Law that there were certain animals or foods that were forbidden for the Jews to eat. For example, animals such as sheep, goats, deer, and cattle were allowed to be eaten, but other animals such as pigs or hares were forbidden. Certain birds like chickens, geese, or pheasants were allowed, but other birds like vultures or owls were forbidden.
But once Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He did away with all those laws, and now we are able to eat those things which were once forbidden. Now, some of these animals might not be something that is normally eaten anyway, but certainly one thing that many people eat is pig meat. Ham, bacon, hotdogs, sausage are a few of the foods that come from pigs, and can now be eaten because God has cleansed and sanctified it.
“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.” 1 Timothy 4-5
Every creature of God is good. In the book of Acts, Peter had a vision, and learned this.
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon 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.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Acts 10:9-15
There are some times however when we should not eat certain foods, not because they are forbidden, but so that we do not offend others or cause them to feel like they are sinning if they eat it too.
Alcohol is one of these things that can be a stumbling block or temptation for a person. Some people have a hard time controlling how much they drink and it can cause them to become drunk and sin.
Alcohol in itself is not sinful. Beer, wine, etc, these are not sinful. Jesus Himself turned water into wine. Noah drank wine, and even though he did drink too much one time, that doesn’t mean that wine or alcohol is a bad thing. It is the overindulgence that causes drunkenness.
So if someone has a problem with something that you are eating, whatever it is, do not eat it around them. Again, it is not a sin to eat or drink, but for the love of the other person we should not do it around them. Instead, have it by yourself before God, and give thanks for it.
“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.”
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Romans 14:20-22
One more time, every creature of God is good. Whatever you eat or drink, don’t let it be an offense to others, and give thanks for God’s bounty.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 