The New Testament allows eating pork “for every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
In 1 Corinthians 10:25, we find the following instruction:
“Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’s sake; for the “earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness.””
According to the scriptures, all things are permissible to all who have faith. On the other hand, there are those who believe that Christians should not be eating pork because the law given to Moses says so. Well said, but the requirement is that if you go the law’s way, you must keep ALL of them without stumbling into any. Therein lies the problem.
This is where the law of the Spirit or the law of liberty, comes in. According to this law, we do walk in faith and are no longer subject to the law as given to Moses. Christ himself declared that it is not what you eat that defiles you, but that which comes from the treasury of your heart.
This article examines what the New Testament says about eating pork, among other foods.
Foods cannot defile a person (Matthew 15:11)
Jesus taught that foods cannot defile a person, but instead, it is what emanates from his heart that defiles him. We find these words in Matthew 15:11, which says:
“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
This answer was in response to a question that the scribes and Pharisees had asked Jesus in Matthew 15:1, as follows:
“Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.””
The explanation of Jesus answer is found in Matthew 15:15–20, which says: “Then Peter answered and said to him, “Explain this parable to us”.” So Jesus said,
“Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts: murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, and blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
These sentiments are similarly echoed in Mark 7:18–22, which says:
“So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him because it does not enter his heart but his stomach and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts: adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, and the evil eye; blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.””
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17–19)
Before we continue, it is important to remember that Jesus said He came to fulfill the law and not to do away with it. We find these words in Matthew 5:17–19:
“Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever, therefore, breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
In other words, Jesus was reprimanding the scribes and Pharisees for their selective application of the law. This is because, they were emphasizing certain aspects of the law while neglecting its weightier matters, such as, faith, justice, and mercy. We find this in Matthew 23:23, which says:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, anise, and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
No longer under law but under grace (Romans 6:14)
In Romans 6:14, we find one scripture with profound implications for our lifestyle as believers. It says:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
It was through the law that the children of Israel received instructions concerning foods that were permitted and those that were forbidden. These instructions are found in Leviticus 11. They highlighted the beasts, the birds, and the fish that were clean and those that were not. Accordingly, only clean animals were fit for consumption. This law was to be observed to prevent defilement.
However, the coming of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and subsequent resurrection ushered in a new dispensation. The dispensation of grace Therefore, the life that we live in our bodies is no longer subject to the law given to Moses but to a new law, the law of the Spirit. This point is emphasized in Romans 7:4-6, which says:
“Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who raised us from the dead—that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions that were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”
Eating pork was not allowed by the law, but when you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are no longer subject to the law and its precepts. So, as a Christian, when you eat pork or any other food that was forbidden in the law, never feel condemned because of what Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:1-2, that is,
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
The law of liberty and the law of love (Romans 14:1–4)
The Apostle Paul expresses his desire for brethren to consider one another when making decisions pertaining to their lifestyle. He directs saints who believe that all things can be eaten not to use their liberty to put a stumbling block in the path of those who consider some foods unclean. On the other hand, he urges brethren who consider some foods unclean not to judge those who eat such foods. Better still, Paul urges the brethren to totally abstain from eating anything that may end up being an offense to their fellow brethren for the sake of love.
In Romans 14:1-4, the scriptures say,
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things. One believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.”
In Romans 14:14, the Apostle Paul emphasizes putting the interests of your brothers before your own as follows:
“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieving because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ has died.”
God cleanses that which is termed common and unclean (Acts 10:9–15)
The vision given to the Apostle Peter in Acts 10:9–15 shows that as long as God has cleansed something, it can no longer be termed common or unclean. This is what we read in Acts 10:9–15:
“The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat, but while they made it ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners descend to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time: “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”
The doctrine of abstinence (1 Timothy 4:1–5)
According to the Apostle Paul, in the last days, the Great Apostasy would take place. This period will be characterized by a departure from the true faith, and strange teachings will find their way into the church. We find this account in 1 Timothy 4:1–5, which says:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
We wrap up this discussion with the words of the Apostle Paul found in Colossians 2:16–17, which say:
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival, a new moon, or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
Conclusion
As we have already seen, believers are no longer under the law to observe the statues that were given to Moses. Instead, in this dispensation of grace, all things are permissible to whoever has faith. However, there are those brethren who have weak faith and thus hold reservations about certain foods. What is important is for the two categories of individuals to treat each other with respect and brotherly love for the good of the kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul in Romans 14:19–23 summarizes it in this manner:
“Therefore let us pursue the things that make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things are indeed pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is not good to eat meat, drink wine, or do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself for what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
I hope the information was helpful. Thank you.
Related Post: What the Bible says on eating meat
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Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved over 30 years ago while in high school.
I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind.
I have an MBA degree in strategic management and a BSc degree in botany and zoology.
I’m married to a loving lady called Leah. God has gifted us three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
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