Food that had been offered to idols.

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: : Hi, Elder Yong. A brother in Christ asked me regarding this topic and i was kind of caught unaware. Gave him my views, only realized that it was wrong. Thank God that i managed to find out the verses in the Bible that explained this issue. Here are my observations, correct me if i am wrong: : : 1) The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 8, 10:mentioned that all food is given by God and can be eaten. : 2) Our God is the True God and all other gods are idols. We need not fear them and the food, even if offered to idols have no power over us. : 3) However, he willingly gave up his this liberty of choice and chose not to eat the food that has been offered to idols, as he do not wish to be a stumbling block for believers who are weak in faith. : 4) In 1 Corinthians 10:18-22, he mentioned that it is not the food that is of significance here, it is the act of worshipping the idols that are of the wrong move by the Gentiles. Hence, food itself is of no concern in the issue. Only concern is that we do not become a stumbling block for fellow bros and sis who are not strong in faith. This teaching is in accordance with Mark 9:42. : : Question that would like to seek your opinion: : i) The Bible says, if a person literally says to you (1o:28) : 'This food has been offered to idols before', we shall not eat because of the person's sake lest we tripped him. Because of the Glory of God in all things we do, we have to sacrifice sometimes though there are things we can do.. : : What if no one literally tells us this statement: 'This food has been offered to idols before', do we presume that we will not be of stumbling block to people as no one mentioned it. : Can we proceed in eating even if we knew it has already been offered to idols? Looking at a dinner, there are many people. If we eat, in fact, it's a testimony too that our God is the only real God and there is nothing out of His creation (food in this case) that is not cleanse. : However, we are not All-knowing, maybe in the group, there is a bro that is weak in faith, but since he saw me eating, he ate too, with disbelief and fear in his heart, according to 8:11-12, we have sin against Christ.. : : Can i conclude that in general, we should not eat food that is offered to idols, lest we become a stumbling block to fellow bros and sis, like what the Apostle Paul says, he gave up this liberty of choice. : : Do share with me your views too. : : Thks. Take Care and send my regards to Dr Tong. Indeed, thank God for him. My faith, knowledge and deep appreciation of the WORD of the God had been built up throughout this series of attending his sermons and reading one of his books. : God Bless, : zhiqiang

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