1 Timothy 4:1–3 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
There are two things that make humans feel guilty: sex and food. Unaided by divine revelation, people seeking to become more holy and closer to God are moved to abandon sex and food in their quest for a feeling of holiness. And as far as feelings of holiness, there is nothing like celibacy and fasting to make you feel less sinful and more godly. But this approach to religion and spirituality doesn’t address the underlying evil in human nature going back to the original sin of our first parents. And it misses the point in regard to God’s view of sex and food. God, not the Devil created sex and food for our good and His glory. He designed food to be enjoyed and to give us strength and health. He designed sex to bond husbands and wives and to procreate the human race pleasurably. There should be guilt for sex outside of marriage and for the abuse of food through gluttony. But the doctrine of demons leads to demoting marriage to a lesser state. Commanding to abstain from certain kinds of food at certain times leads to a prideful religious arrogance. Some can be eunuchs but most people serve God better when they are married. Most people do better when they eat healthy food in healthy amounts and are thankful to God for it.
Be careful of any religion that makes you feel more holy by abstaining from sex or food. God created both for our good and His glory. He enjoys seeing us take pleasure in what He has designed for us when we use these things rightly and give Him praise for His love and care for us. Think about it!
thisismywordradio 