QUESTION
Pastor Gavin,
As a Christian, is there
anything bad if I eat the food of a Muslim or other religion during their time
of celebration, for example eating Salah food?
M. F.
Warri
ANSWER
As believers you must
bear in mind that being a Christian does not and should not make you an enemy
to any man irrespective of the man's religion. Besides, LOVE for all men is a
cardinal virtue of our Faith. And this love transcends religion.
And love is expressed not only in giving but also in receiving. Thus, you receive from those you really love.
Hence, if you claim to love someone but reject the food that the person gives to you because of his religious affiliation, it is considered that you don't love the person in the first place. So, how can you win such a person to the Christian faith? For the person will feel rejected by you for not receiving from him.
One of the training most Christian missionaries are given is that they should accept and receive the food that their hosts give to them, even if they are idol worshipers. Receiving such, denote that they love their hosts, and can in turn preach to them.
What the scripture clearly spoke against is FOOD THAT ARE SACRIFICED TO IDOL. Not because it can have any effect on us or on our faith. But it is simply because of others that are not believers and also because of those who are not mature in the faith.
“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:” 1 Corinthian 10:28
Hence, we are not expected to accept and eat foods that are sacrificed to any idols or gods, because of the people around who would think that we are associating with their gods and that we approve of their worship or sacrifice.
But if it is not sacrificed to any idols or gods, you are free to receive such foods from Muslim or any idol worshipper.
As for the Muslim celebration called Salah, I don't know if they actually sacrifice the Salah food to their gods. If they do, I won't advise you to eat. It is better to respectfully reject the food.
But if you are in a situation whereby you can't reject the food, eating it will not have any effect on your faith, except you are not spiritually mature.
But avoid the error of collecting the food and throwing it away behind closed doors. That is wickedness and hypocrisy. If you don't want to eat it, say it to the person rather than receiving the food and discarding it behind closed doors.
For Further Reading, Study The Following Scriptures
1 Corinthians 8:4-13.
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.
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
19 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.
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