Food sacrificed to Idols.

Carl Emerson · Sep 5, 2019

Friends,

I notice that the Jerusalem council was quite clear about forbidding this practice. See Acts 15:29 and refers to 'things' not just food.

Paul however was not so adamant about this as seen in 1 Cor 8. He just warned that those who did, should not be seen doing it by the weak in faith.

I know that the three things forbidden by the Apostles in Jerusalem all had internal spiritual contamination in common - Fornication, drinking blood, eating food sacrificed to idols.

Following Paul's teaching would then suggest not all are effected by what has been offered in pagan ritual.

I raise this because when I was married, our first meal together was at an Asian restaurant.
On leaving the restaurant we were presented with a beautiful flower. I thought little of it until later that night the Lord prompted me very clearly to throw it out! Now one does not want to appear to be a super spiritual idiot on the first night ! However the prompting was strong so out it went.

Next day, I went back to the restaurant and checked, sure enough the flowers were first offered on a shrine then given out.

Your comments greatly appreciated.

tampasteve · Sep 5, 2019

I doubt the flower given was offered to a shrine first, it was likely simply a nice gesture much as giving a fortune cookie, or free melon after a meal as is common in "Asian" restaurants. Thinking that the restaurant was owned by someone making offers to a idol is a mistake, many people of Asian decent are Christian as well, especially ones that immigrate.

Unless you have reason to believe it was a offering first, I think perhaps you are over thinking this particular situation.

Dave-W · Sep 5, 2019

tampasteve said:
Unless you have reason to believe it was a offering first, I think perhaps you are over thinking this particular situation.

Disagree.

He had a prompting from the Holy Spirit to get rid of it. He did so.
End of story.

Dave-W · Sep 5, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
I know that the three things forbidden by the Apostles in Jerusalem all had internal spiritual contamination in common - Fornication, drinking blood, eating food sacrificed to idols.

Actually it was 4 things. You left off strangled meat.

tampasteve · Sep 5, 2019

Dave-W said:
Disagree.

He had a prompting from the Holy Spirit to get rid of it. He did so.
End of story.

We can't debate in this forum, only advice. But I am OK if we disagree on the matter.

A Realist · Sep 5, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
Friends,

I notice that the Jerusalem council was quite clear about forbidding this practice. See Acts 15:29 and refers to 'things' not just food.

Paul however was not so adamant about this as seen in 1 Cor 8. He just warned that those who did, should not be seen doing it by the weak in faith.

I know that the three things forbidden by the Apostles in Jerusalem all had internal spiritual contamination in common - Fornication, drinking blood, eating food sacrificed to idols.

Following Paul's teaching would then suggest not all are effected by what has been offered in pagan ritual.

I raise this because when I was married, our first meal together was at an Asian restaurant.
On leaving the restaurant we were presented with a beautiful flower. I thought little of it until later that night the Lord prompted me very clearly to throw it out! Now one does not want to appear to be a super spiritual idiot on the first night ! However the prompting was strong so out it went.

Next day, I went back to the restaurant and checked, sure enough the flowers were first offered on a shrine then given out.

Your comments greatly appreciated.

Mountain out of a mole hill.........

devin553344 · Sep 5, 2019

Sounds like you were inspired perhaps. Personally I like Chinese food and the fortune cookie, I get a laugh out of it.

Pedra · Sep 5, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
I thought little of it until later that night the Lord prompted me very clearly to throw it out! Now one does not want to appear to be a super spiritual idiot on the first night ! However the prompting was strong so out it went.

You did the right thing being led by the Holy Spirit to toss it out. The pagan altars these restaurants set up are to demons but they don't realize it. Deut 32: 16-18
Btw, when I eat in Asian restaurants that have idols, I pray the people would repent and recognize the true GOD of heaven & earth and believe in Jesus His Son. I give thanks to the LORD God for the food, asking for it to be blessed in Jesus Christ name.

tampasteve · Sep 5, 2019

Pedra said:
Btw, when I eat in Asian restaurants that have idols, I pray the people would repent and recognize the true GOD of heaven & earth and believe in Jesus His Son. I give thanks to the LORD God for the food, asking for it to be blessed in Jesus Christ name.

That is great advice. Thank you for sharing.

Halbhh · Sep 5, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
Friends,

I notice that the Jerusalem council was quite clear about forbidding this practice. See Acts 15:29 and refers to 'things' not just food.

Paul however was not so adamant about this as seen in 1 Cor 8. He just warned that those who did, should not be seen doing it by the weak in faith.

I know that the three things forbidden by the Apostles in Jerusalem all had internal spiritual contamination in common - Fornication, drinking blood, eating food sacrificed to idols.

Following Paul's teaching would then suggest not all are effected by what has been offered in pagan ritual.

I raise this because when I was married, our first meal together was at an Asian restaurant.
On leaving the restaurant we were presented with a beautiful flower. I thought little of it until later that night the Lord prompted me very clearly to throw it out! Now one does not want to appear to be a super spiritual idiot on the first night ! However the prompting was strong so out it went.

Next day, I went back to the restaurant and checked, sure enough the flowers were first offered on a shrine then given out.

Your comments greatly appreciated.

You've already largely figured it out it seems.

There is the subtle level though -- where He can know us better than we know ourselves! He knows what can be a danger to us.

It's a good reason to pray the Lords' prayer, as I see it. I know that in terms of actual effect and outcome, this prayer is endlessly helpful.

BNR32FAN · Sep 5, 2019

I would say you made the right choice.

Pedra · Sep 5, 2019

Very few Christians these days have spiritual discernment and as we grow in Christ, the LORD God might reveal more of the real spiritual battle that is taking place.

mkgal1 · Sep 5, 2019

Is a flower comparable to what Paul was instructing the early Christians, though?

ISTM that the problem wasn't so much the food itself that was being offered to idols (because in Romans 14:14-23 and 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 the food is said to NOT be unclean) - it seems to be that the rituals would lead to sin and idolatry. In Paul's day, Pagan idolatry rituals were all around and very much a part of every day life surrounding the early church.

This video/interview with Ray Vander Laan discusses a bit of the clashes of culture in Paul's day:

Food sacrificed to Idols.

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