Eating Meat Is O.K.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in
the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
and doctrines of devils…. 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.
I Tim. 4:1, 3b, 4, 5
In recent years Eastern pagan religions
have made some inroads into America. With these religions have come the systems
of ethics and science that are based upon these religions. Hinduism and related
cults have a very different world-view than does the informed Christian. The
apostle predicted the conflict between Christianity and these religions. The
current so-called “animal rights” movement is but an expression of these
Eastern mystical religions. Christians need to understand the Bible doctrines
and related truths.
I. God created animals as food for men.
When the Bible says that God created
animals for food for man (Gen. 9:2, 3), then it is settled. The flesh of animals must be nutritious and
healthful.
Certain prohibitions concerning food were
given to Israel under the Old Covenant, but Paul makes it clear that these
prohibitions were ceremonial in nature and had nothing to do with health. We
are therefore enjoined to “let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in
drink….” (Col. 2:16). Jesus Himself said that the digestion purges all food
(Mark 7:19). So it seems that the only Biblical requirements concerning food
are taste, moderation, and thanksgiving, and caution about giving offense to
the weak.
II. Our Food Is Blessed to Us by the Word
of God and Prayer.
The prayer in Christian homes in which we
thank God for our food is no light and empty ceremony. It is a recognition that the nourishment
from our food comes from God, not from the “natural order of things.” It is a
terrible thing if God does not bless our food to our use. And yet, God warns us
that our food will be cursed if it is not received with thanksgiving.
Deuteronomy 28:17 says “Cursed be thy basket and thy store,” if we do not
continue in thankful service and praise to Him.
III. The Apostle Calls the
Prohibition to Eat Meat the Doctrine of Devils.
The prohibition denies that blessings and
cursings come from God. It is the materialism of the pagan world which sees
virtue inherent in the things themselves, not from the blessing of the
Scriptural God. It implies a world view very different from the creation
described in the Bible. I don’t know
about you, but I will continue to eat the good beef and pork roasts and steaks
that my budget will allow. I will thank God for them. I will also try to use
moderation, get exercise, and cultivate a thankful heart.
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You can contact:
Trinity Covenant Church RCUS
Pastor C. W. Powell
6050 Del Paz Drive
Colorado Springs, Co 80918
