To Eat or Not to Eat

Romans 14:19-23

Often, receiving a nod of approval embraces things that I have no intention of doing. Those approvals are nowhere near to being mutually beneficial through Christ. The internal government of the mark of the beast has a lot to do with giving approval through thoughts and feelings. Then, there are those who live by the internal government and assume authority over others. They tend to impose their will concerning what is approved and isn’t approved and their approvals always conflict with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. I bite my tongue when it happens in order to avoid acting in a way contrary to God’s Spirit. It’s best for me to keep what I believe about those things to myself. I wouldn’t want to condemn myself by my own convictions. Nevertheless, they already condemn themselves in what they approve of.

“So, whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”
Romans 14:22

The best that I can do is to make every effort to do what leads to peace and gives a mutual benefit through Jesus Christ. I should never do anything that is destructive to the Spirit of Christ. That is especially true when it comes to eating and drinking. I know it’s a cruel world when who I eat with can turn into a distasteful and sour experience. The host might give a nod of approval of food for me to try and it’s beyond edible, or I feel lousy after eating it. I bite my tongue to keep the peace to avoid the fight that would come by speaking up against the “wonderful host” who is pretentiously beyond reproach. Really, I feel condemned within myself for eating it and I promise myself never to eat at that home or restaurant ever again. Those who live by the mark of the beast are ruthless in their persistence to bring misery to Christians and the Holy Spirit. As a person who lives for Jesus Christ, even when it’s time to eat, it should be mutually beneficial for everyone at the table.

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace 
and to mutual edification.”
Romans 14:19

Unfortunately, the only time that I’m free from doubt about what I’m eating is when I prepare it myself. I buy the ingredients, which is not always a pleasant experience, and inspect the food before I cook and eat it. I certainly do not have faith to accept food and drinks from the neighbors. I turned down an invitation about three weeks ago for a “home-cooked” meal across the yard. If I doubt that the meal is mutually beneficial through the Holy Spirit, then I’m putting the Spirit of Christ in jeopardy by accepting. If I have faith that the meal is mutually beneficial through the Spirit of Christ, then I accept. 

“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat,
because their eating is not from faith;
and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Romans 14:23

If I ever have guests over to my apartment for dinner, which isn’t likely, I will ask what they enjoy eating. Then, I will prepare it with the Spirit of Christ in me to make it as pleasing as possible. The idea is to eat and drink in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

“Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. 
All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything
that causes someone else to stumble. 
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else
that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
Romans 14:20-21

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1