A quick dive into what actually defiles us according to scripture. Paul speakes on this matter regarding food and I wated to understan more of what he meant. He is a study I did regardingn this topic.
Leviticus 11
Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel,
saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the
earth: 3 Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing
the cud—that you may eat. 4 Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew
the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not
have cloven hooves, is [a]unclean to you; 5 the [b]rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but
does not have cloven hooves, is [c]unclean to you; 6 the hare, because it chews the cud but
does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 7 and the swine, though it divides the hoof,
having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 Their flesh you shall
not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.
New Covenant
Acts 10
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the
housetop to pray, about [e]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat;
but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object
like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12
In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and
birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [f]cleansed you must not
call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
1 Corinthians 10
23 All things are lawful [g]for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,
but not all things [h]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for
“the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat
whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to
you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for
conscience’ sake; [i]for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not
your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give
thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also
please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may
be saved. -Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescatarians, Kosher (follow the guidelines under the Jewish law
about food).
Matthew 15: 1-20
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what
goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a
person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were
offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly
Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides.[c] And if
the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the
parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see
that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?[d] 18 But what
comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the
heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 12:34-47
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil
man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Proverbs 4:23
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Food given to Idol at your knowledge
Acts 21:25
But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should
abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from
fornication.
1 Corinthians 10:7
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and
drink, and stood up to play.”
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of
Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. Is not the cup of
blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the
body of Christ?
Mexico -Day of The Dead
The celebration honors those that have passed with ofrendas during what is traditionally
believed to be the time of year when the veil between the living world and the spirit world is at
its thinnest.
India- Pitru Paksha,
a 15-day period when food offerings are given to pay homage to ancestors. It dates back to the
story of Karna, a demi-god in the story of Mahābhārata who questioned why people offered
jewelry and flowers to the dead but no food.
Japan- Bon
One of Japan’s largest festivals is the three-day Obon, also called Bon, festival, which takes place
August 13-15 (though some parts of Japan celebrate in July). Obon dates back 500 years. One
origin theory is that a Buddha disciple saw the spirit of his mother, who was in the Realm of
Hungry Ghosts, and the Buddha said food offerings help the spirits
China, Qingming Festival
It’s celebrated by Han Chinese as well as many of the country’s ethnic minorities, and it’s a
designated day to demonstrate respect for ancestors. Sweeping an ancestor’s tomb is the
central observance (the day is also called Tomb Sweeping Day in English), but food offerings and
fire crackers are also common.
Ireland/ England/Celtic
Samhain -around October 31 to November 1. It was believed to be the time when the border
between the living world and spiritual world dissolved, and it marked the time to celebrate
ancestors, harvest, and the changing of the seasons. It was originally celebrated for three days
and three nights, and Druid priests would light community fires with a wheel and make animal
sacrifices. Costumes were commonplace, and feasts were held where people would heartily drink
beer and mead. In the United States, many Halloween traditions can be traced back to Samhain.
1 Corinthians 10: 19 -23
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is
any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to
God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the
Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,
but all things edify not.
Conclusion
All food is good for us to eat and give thanks unto God who made it all. We are not to worry
where our food came from because once God has blessed it is blessed. We should have no
conscience of if this food is bad or not. If you have a Jewish brother or sister, or anyone with
special diets. To not cause offense to them, do not eat pork or foods which they are not
comfortable with in their presence. Be at peace with all your brother no matter what God given
food they decide to eat or not eat. But the food we will not partake in, are foods given into Idol
worship and not unto the father. We cannot join these festivities and try to bless the food after.
This food is defiled according to how scripture describes. And we should not eat lest we cause
jealousy against our heavenly father like some churches did partaking with the food and drinks
of the likes of Jezebel and her friends in Revelation.
Please take time to do your own deeper study of this topic.There is so much more to learn with the help of the Spirit Amen!
