According to Genesis 1:30, when the human race was created, God gave them “every green herb” for food. In fact, all creatures ate only herbs or vegetables. Meat was not in the diet at that time.
In Genesis 9:3 the Scripture states, “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb I have given you all things.” That was after the Flood, after Noah’s day. At that time the human race was permitted to eat meat. Later, under the law given to Moses, certain animals were on the no, no list (see Leviticus 11). Only those with a split hoof and that chewed the cud were permitted as food. Of the water creatures, only those with scales would be eaten. So eels and catfish were not permitted. And above all, blood was strictly forbidden. The mixing of milk and meat came from the statement in the Bible that the people were not to seethe a kid in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19).
Today some people still rigidly adhere to these strict directives. Some are strict vegetarians. Now, some dietitians argue that we must have a certain amount of meat in our diet. But that has not been proven absolutely. We can get proteins from plant foods. Nature is complete.
In Paul’s day, the idol worshipers made animal sacrifices, as indeed the Jews did. And often when they made such sacrifices, they ate the meat that had been sacrificed as sort of a fellowship meal with the idol or with God, as it happened to be. Sometimes following the sacrifice to idols, pagans had a communal meal to “fellowship” with the idols and their friends. In Corinth, some of the Christians were invited to their pagan neighbors’ meals.
In I Corinthians 8 Paul addresses how the practice of meat sacrificed to idols affects Christians. There is an underlying truth here, however, more than the meat issue. Into the mix of the diet, Paul brings the experience of knowledge.
This is the last message in the division of the book that I have called “Christ Is Made Unto Us Righteousness.” Let’s consider I Corinthians 8:1-13 for the message I have called WATCH HOW YOU LIVE:
1 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 anything, 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 stumbling block 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...
