Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew

Food Offered to Idols –

To Eat or Not to Eat?

As long as the worship of idols remains on the earth, the eating of food offered to idols will continue to be an issue to many believers all over the world. Satan invented idolatry after he was cast out of heaven by God for his pride and desire to be God. Since man’s fall, this evil desire to be God did not abate even in the slightest. In fact, it has increased steadily as he tasted the addictive nature of being worshipped as God. Now that the end of the last days are upon us, he has stepped up his deception so that more will bow down to his false gods. Eating food offered to idols is one of the many visible symptoms of idol worship that Satan delights in promoting. Eating food offered to idols is not a minor issue but a symptom of a litany of sins which includes superstition, the worship of idols and the many fruits of idolatry as listed in Romans 1:21-32.
Therefore it is important that believers have a biblical understanding of what to do when they are confronted with food that has been offered to idols – to eat or not to eat them!

I. The Biblical Injunction – Acts 15:28-29 (KJV) "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."

Knowing the context of this injunction is important. The early church began with thousands of Jews only. Then the LORD sent the disciples to give the gospel to the Samaritans who were part Jew and part Gentile in Acts 8. From Acts 10 onwards the gospel would be given to the Gentiles, i.e. the rest of the world. Thank God many Gentiles came to know Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. However, a new problem arose within the first local church in Jerusalem. In OT times, when a Gentile became a believer, he had to join the nation of Israel as part of God's people on earth. This required him to be circumcised. When the local church was founded and was not part of the nation of Israel, some Jews wondered if it was necessary for the Gentiles, who were the last ones to join the local church, to be circumcised like in OT times. This became such an important issue that a meeting was called for all the apostles and elders to gather together to deliberate what the will of God was on this matter. James the brother of Jesus was the moderator in that meeting. The testimonies of Peter and Paul were heard. They testified that the Gentiles, like Cornelius and his family, experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit when they believed. The conclusion of the matter was that there was no need for them to be circumcised as they were not Jews. However, it was needful for the Gentile believers to stop certain Gentile customs. These included abstinence "from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication." If the Gentile believers kept obeying this injunction from the council, they would do well to be a godly witness for Christ.

Right from the beginning of the local church, the command was given that all believers and Gentile believers in particular who came out of idolatry must not eat food offered to idols. The explanation was not given until later.

II. The Biblical Explanation – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (KJV) "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." Based upon the above explanation we see the following –

a. There is Only One Living and True God – Believers must understand that there is only one living and true God and He is the Father of Jesus Christ and all believers. This means that food offered to idols are basically offered to unreal gods. The food is offered to false gods whom believers have nothing to be afraid of. The Holy Spirit in every believer is greater than the devil who is in the world. The devil is also a created being like all of humanity. He is a master deceiver having deceived the world for thousands of years since the fall. Mankind has been duped by him into bowing down to idols, thinking that they are bowing down to the one living and true God but in reality they are not. Therefore food offered to idols will always remain as normal food. The food is not at all changed or transformed in any way into anything. The born again believer should not be afraid that he has transgressed in any way if he were accidentally eat food offered to idols. In addition, it must not be out of fear that he does not eat food offered to idols. If he is afraid of the idols, then this could mean that he thinks that they are real gods, which is NOT the case. Believers must not eat for the right biblical reason. That is why the apostle Paul began this explanation by assuring believers that if they were to eat food offered to idols in ignorance, and then found out later that the food was offered to idols, they have not sinned! The food is just food and when he gives thanks to God through Christ before eating, it is good food for consumption.

b. Do Not Eat for the Sake of Faith – The apostle also realized that there were believers who were young in the faith and might not know or understand that idols are not real gods and that there is only one true and living God who is now their heavenly Father. They might have just come out of spiritual darkness whereby they were deeply involved in fearing to eat food offered to idols. Thus the mature believers who understand must think of these young believers and not eat for their sake. Their young faith, although real, is weak. They do not understand and therefore the mature believers must not eat food offered to idols for the sake of their brethren's weak faith. However, this does not mean that if there are no weak believers "watching" thus it is all right for the mature believers to eat. This doctrine teaches us that as long as there are new believers on the earth, the mature believers are not allowed to eat for their sake. This is the doctrine of stumbling! It is not teaching believers that when certain things are done in "secret" it is all right just because no one sees! It is what happens when they know, and you know in your own conscience that you are eating food offered to idols deliberately in secret, and they ask you! The injunction as taught in Acts 15 argues for this understanding.

c. Eating of Foods does not Improve the Believer's Walk with God – Eating of all kinds of food is purely for physical pleasure and health. It serves no spiritual purpose. There is no spiritual food that is of the earth. The only spiritual food that helps a believer grow spiritually and to draw him closer to God is the Bible! This is taught in Hebrews 5:12-14 (KJV) "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." This means that a believer must be prepared to give up any kind of food that he might have a desire for, for the sake of his faith and that of his brother as well. If a believer were to eat food offered to idols or any kind of food that causes his brother's faith to stumble, he has sinned! This is the reason for not eating food offered to idols.

The second passage from the Bible to help us complete our understanding of the issue on food offered to idols is -- 1 Corinthians 10:19-33 (KJV) "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. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

d. It is idolatry! – Even though the idols are not real gods, for there is only one God and He is the heavenly Father of all believers, it does not mean that the eating of food offered to idols is harmless and has no spiritual significance. The devil deceived man into worshipping him by way of idolatry. Thus the worshipping of idols through the food offered to the devil means that these worshippers of the idols, who worship in the form of food offered to them, are performing a spiritual exercise, albeit it belongs to the realm of spiritual darkness. Therefore, anyone who knowingly and deliberately eats food offered to idols will be considered by God as partaking of the table of the devil. A believer who partakes of the Lord's table must not also partake of the devil’s table by eating food offered to idols. The significance of the believer partaking of the Lord's table is that of having a personal fellowship with God because Christ died for his sins and thus he eats and drinks of the elements of the Lord's table in remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection for him. To partake of the food offered to the idols deliberately is to have fellowship with the devil as the food has been offered to him as a spiritual sacrifice and this would make one the devil's disciple who believe in him. Although he has been deceived by him, it does make the fellowship with him any less real because he sincerely thinks that he is worshipping the real God of heaven and earth. When believers knowingly eat of the food offered to idols (even though they know that their heavenly Father is the only one living and true God and there is no other beside Him), it does mean that they are partaking in false worship. The fact that it is done knowingly and deliberately makes this a serious transgression.

e. Do All to the Glory of God – The best antidote against all transgressions, including eating food offered to idols, is to have a good understanding of God's holy and perfect Word. This helps the believer to have a more pronounced mind of Christ. When he begins to think more and more like Christ, such issues on how to best live a life that honours and glorifies Christ will become easier. He no longer lives according to his own subjective whims and fancies. His desires in life become the desires of Christ. Then all things will be done to the glory of God. His motive is the love of Christ constraining him to keep on doing it even when others persecute him. He is prepared to suffer for Christ and surrenders his life and desires over to Him. His testimony will automatically point others to the Saviour. This is what "to do all things to the glory of God" means!

Conclusion – The teaching is as follows:-
* When the believer did not know and he ate food offered to idols and then finds out later, he does not need to repent. He has not sinned. The reason is that there is only one living and true God and the idols are no gods at all;

* The believer should not be fearful of eating food offered to idols because he fears the idols. The idols are not real gods. The Holy Spirit who is in the believer is greater than he (the devil) that is in the world;

* The believer should not knowingly eat food offered to idols because he must not stumble the faith of others by his eating;
* The believer must not knowingly eat food offered to idols because to do so is to have fellowship with the devil. He cannot have fellowship with Christ through the eating of the Lord's Supper and then partake of the food offered to the idols. This is a sin;
* The best antidote is to do all things to the glory of God. This means that the life of the believer must be lived in light of God’s holy Word and constrained by the love of Christ.