NOT A MATTER OF EATING OR DRINKIN

NOT A MATTER OF EATING OR DRINKING

2/12/2022

FEBRUARY 12 - START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

NOT A MATTER OF EATING OR DRINKING

Being overly concerned with trivial matters is to miss the primary purpose of God’s kingdom and the true meaning of Christian living. But notice that the issues addressed in this passage deal mainly with outward or physical issues such as eating or observing certain days. Often, such passages dealing with Christian freedom and liberty (1 Corinthians 8-10) are taken out of context to justify behavior that can bring harm to the mind and spirit. Food goes in and out of the body and has little, if anything, to do with spiritual matters. However, when people try to apply this principle of liberty and non-judgment to morally questionable activities and behaviors that actually do affect the mind and spirit, they are seriously missing the point (Colossians2:20, 23).
For example, certain forms of entertainment are often presented as matters of personal choice and conscience and is some cases that may be true. But such activities do not necessarily fit into the same category as those described in these passages. Many types of entertainment contain sexually suggestive images, obscene language, and crude humor, which affect the mind and the spirit. God’s Word addresses these issues in an entirely different fashion than those things that go in and out of the body that do not affect the mind or spirit (Ephesians 5:3-7; Colossians 3:5). Exposing ourselves to these types of entertainment can be destructive spiritually because the images and language go into the mind, corrupt the spirit, and can affect behavior in a negative way. This behavior gives approval to ungodly conduct and can easily mislead others who look to us for an example of acceptable Christian conduct. Again, Paul’s strongest warning is to the person whose faith and conscience allow him or her to take greater liberty in their actions – “Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself be what he approves” (Romans 14:22; 1 Corinthians 8-10),

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!