Romans Chapter 14

(Colossians 2:20-22)
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Chapters fourteen and fifteen are now going to be the huge "THEREFORE", as in our separation, our dedication, our sanctification, our behavior, which is to glorify God alone and not our flesh. There are two sides to this coin, and one is legalism, the legalism of "don't touch, don't taste", etc. Because we are saved, we have the freedom to not sin; we do not have the freedom to sin. Wisdom is what is needed, and godly wisdom is only gotten from God's Word, in context, and not our ideas.

(Romans 14:1)
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
  • The weaker in the faith are to be accepted, trained in the faith, discipled, taught good doctrine, loved, with patience
  • "Doubtful" as in without being phony, unambiguously, without hesitation, unquestioned, loyally, truthfully, without reservation, and without any fear
  • "Disputations" is without argument, as in the act of disputing; without opposition,reasonably, without controversy
  • We need to restore someone weak in the faith, and judging and condemning with harsh words is not the way to start
  • One reason? We may fall into the same situation one day-and need that same graceful and merciful reception
(Galatians 6:1-3)
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

DOUBTFUL, a.

  1. Dubious; not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating; applied to persons; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.
  2. Dubious; ambiguous; not clear in its meaning; as a doubtful expression.
  3. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear or certain; questionable; not decided; as a doubtful case; a doubtful proposition; it is doubtful what will be the event of the war.
  4. Of uncertain issue.
    We have sustained one day in doubtful fight.
  5. Not secure; suspicious; as, we cast a doubtful eye.
  6. Not confident; not without fear; indicating doubt.
    With doubtful feet, and wavering resolution.
  7. Not certain or defined; as a doubtful hue.

(Romans 14:2)
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
  • While we are not vegans or vegetarians now, because of the command to eat meats, if someone decides to, fine
  • Mostly it is those who are vegans and vegetarians who give people who eat animal meat a hard time, not the other way around
  • The vegan/vegetarian here is the weak brother, not the omnivore who eats all things.

(Acts 10:9-14)
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

The context here is the introduction to legalistic Peter a ministry to the Gentiles, of course, nevertheless the object of the illustration is eating meat

(Romans 14:3)
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
  • Hating is not for us to do, nor is despising, loathing, detesting
  • Some Christians are weak, come from the New Age Movement, are into "animal rights" and need time to slough all of that off, so pray, teach and be patient
  • "God hath received him" means they are saved

(Romans 14:4)
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
  • What a person decides to eat or not eat is between them and God, their master who they ultimately serve
  • They are saved, they will stand with God on that Holy Mountain of God one day, because of grace and mercy through faith, not by diet.

(Romans 14:5)
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

(Romans 14:6)
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
  • The bottom line is doing all things, for God's Glory
  • God can use anything, even evil, for His Glory
  • The only way to do this also is by doing God's Will according to His Word, which is the only way to do anything for God's Glory in the Spirit
  • All else we do is in the flesh, which is wicked

(Romans 14:7)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
  • We are never alone, as God is always with us, in life or death
  • This does not mean that all people around us, including loved ones, will not ever leave us

(Deuteronomy 31:6)
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

(Joshua 1:5)
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

(1 Kings 8:57)
The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

(1 Chronicles 28:20)
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

(Nehemiah 9:31)
Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

(Hebrews 13:5)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(Matthew 28:20)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(John 14:18)
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

(Romans 14:8)
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
  • We belong to God alone, and no man
  • Everything is "unto the LORD", period.
  • Paul considered himself a servant, prisoner, slave to the Master, the LORD Jesus Christ
(Romans 1:1)
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

(Ephesians 6:9)
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

(Titus 1:1)
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

(Philemon 1:1)
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

(Romans 14:9)
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
  • God the Son came to die for us, and we did not die to pay for ourselves
  • If Jesus Christ is LORD.....we are not. Paul said Jesus Christ was LORD and that Paul was his servant

(Romans 14:10)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
  • Paul, in context here, is merely talking about the non-essentials which have no moral value, as in what food people eat, outside of pagan feasts-our own private diet
  • He is not in any way saying we should never judge our brothers in Christ in regards to actual sin, as that would be a contradiction of what Paul has said elsewhere, and what Scripture teaches clearly-we are called to discern (use our wisdom and judgment, and use our wisdom in judgment)

Judgment by and from Christians

Shall we avoid pointing out sin because someone might be offended, or for fear of being called judgmental?

When we as Christians must call out all sin for what it is, we simply state what God states clearly in His Word, and say that we agree with God, as though He really needs us to agree. God declares sin is always a choice. God is always correct.

Romans 1:26-28
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

And no business trying to teach men what the Bible says, which is why Paul wrote this:

1 Timothy 2:11-12
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Calling God a liar is not the way to justify sin. And you took the verses on judgment out of context and changed the meaning to suit your pet doctrine, like the cults do. You did DEDUCTIVE Bible study and not INDUCTIVE, like the people IN the Bible did, including Jesus Himself.

When you quote the verse "judge not, lest ye be judged", you simply take the verse out of its context and twist it to make it seem like it is applicable and, in the process, judge men for declaring sin; therefore you just judged my "judgment".
That is worldly Newspeak....a lie straight out of the pit of hell.... Who are you to judge my judging as wrong?

No place in Scripture does it teach we are not to look at the fruit, the actions of others and judge it. It tells us to look for wolves in sheep's clothing, bad fruit, to avoid the person who is a sinner, refuses to work, a fornicator, etc. NONE of that is possible without using judgment, discernment. ALL involve people and their actions. All involve our ability to discern from Scripture.
Opening your mouth to preach truth and declare visible unrighteousness and calling out sin is not judgment like sending them to hell. Neither is warning people about sin. We are told not to be tolerant of sin. Period.

Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

How would you know if it exceeds it without judging?

Luke 7:41-43
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16-20
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

How can you be wary of them without using your own judgment to judge their fruits?

Matthew 18:15-17
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

We are to judge things people are doing from within the Church and not go to the world's courts and sue:

1 Corinthians 6:1-5
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

When Christians sue in open court, no one in the Church says a word. When they declare sin in the sanctuary, in the public, all of a sudden, we are wrong to do so. Paul says we are to do it at God's House first.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Corinthians 2:15-16
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Why is he "judged of no man"? Because he is beyond reproach, not because he is not accountable to the brethren!

1 Corinthians 5:3-5
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul already judged............he asked them to pronounce and execute the sentence.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

You need to judge what is old leaven in order to purge it.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Bereans prepared themselves to judge Paul's teachings

Acts 20:29-31
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

"Wolves in wool"......without discernment, there is no way to look under the wool to see if it is a sheep or a wolf.


Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

He should not waste three years preparing them to judge, only to have them be non-judgmental and allow grievous wolves enter in.

1 Corinthians 14:29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3 are all about qualifications for leadership. There is simply no way to determine fitness for leadership without proper judgment. Judge their deeds, warn the unruly: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Church rebuked for allowing sin and not judging it by removal:

Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

(Romans 14:11)
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
  • All will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ, so not to worry about what people eat on earth, brethren or not.
  • Since God lives, this is an certain future eventuality

(Philippians 2:10-11)
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Romans 14:12)
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
  • "Every one of us" meaning all believers, from the context here
  • This is on every belief, idea, thought, action and inaction
  • of course all unbelievers will also give account, but that is not who Paul here is talking to and about-he is talking to us Christians

(Romans 14:13)
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
  • The main thing to guide us in our thinking is whether or not our actions in liberty become a stumblingblock to believers
  • This is because of two aspects: Our brother may be weak and we do not know it, and the world is watching us, instantly ready to point the finger

(Romans 14:14)
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
  • This is the stumblingblock part of it....not that we need to be legalistic, but to be sensitive to the walk of others watching us, that they not fall
  • This goes for both the over "outward appearance" Independent Fundamental Baptist with the suits and ties, long dresses, "piano-only music", and no dancing as well as the liberal who uses an inferior, paraphrased "Bible" who is indistinguishable from the world and thinks quoting Scripture is too offensive to an unbeliever or fellow believer.
  • Both of these practices are stumblingblocks to both believers and unbelievers alike

(Romans 14:15)
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
  • The key word is "IF" here. It says that it is not the meat that is the problem, but rather the eating that is a stumblingblock to the weaker brother that is the issue.
  • The use of the word "grieved" means that it can truly be a heartbreaking sight to them
  • The reason is simply because their faith is destroyed, so this could have serious, even eternal consequences, especially perhaps for one who was on the verge of accepting Christ

GRIEVE, v.t. [L. gravo, from gravis.]

  1. To give pain of mind to; to afflict; to wound the feelings. Nothing grieves a parent like the conduct of a profligate child.
  2. To afflict; to inflict pain on.
    For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Lam 3.
  3. To make sorrowful; to excite regret in.
  4. 4. To offend; to displease; to provoke.
    Grieve not the holy Spirit of God. Eph 4.
GRIEVE, v.i. To feel pain of mind or heart; to be in pain on account of an evil; to sorrow; to mourn. We grieve at the loss of friends or property. We grieve at the misfortunes of others. We grieve for our own misfortunes, follies and vices, as well as for those of our children. It is followed by at or for.

(Romans 14:16)
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
  • This eating of meat or not eating of meat is good......to God who never stumbles
  • Doing good can be spoken evil of by anyone who stumbles on it

(Romans 14:17)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
  • Life is not about what we eat or drink.....
  • The context and culture here was Roman orgies, the Bacchanalian pagan feasts, in which some Christians obviously were participating
  • Again, this did not affect their salvation, just their testimony, witness to the weaker brethren and unbelievers
  • The fruits shown here are what needs to be shown hanging low on our tree's branches

(Romans 14:18)
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
  • Setting aside the food and drink that stumbles, and living a life of peace, righteousness and joy is pleasing to both God and mankind, making us blameless
  • Most often, a person is either approved of God or approved of men, rarely if ever both.
  • This is because the world is at war with God and has been for thousands of years.

(Romans 14:19)
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
  • Unity in the brother hood, right there, plain and simple
  • The things which make for peace is truth, honesty, purity, justice, things that bring love, virtuousness, praise when due, edification(building up)

(Philippians 4:8)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

LOVELY, a. luv'ly. Amiable; that may excite love; possessing qualities which may invite affection.
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives - 2 Sam 1.

EDIFICA'TION, n. [L. oedificatio. See Edify.]
  1. A building up, in a moral and religious sense; instruction; improvement and progress of the mind, in knowledge, in morals, or in faith and holiness.
    He that prophesieth, speaketh to men to edification. 1 Cor 14.
  2. Instruction; improvement of the mind in any species of useful knowledge.
(Romans 14:20)
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
  • Again, he repeats that it is what we think and do that defiles us and others (comes out), not what we eat, which goes into us
  • Being a stumblingblock with what food we eat or do not eat, or giving a brother in Christ for what food they eat or do not eat is the problem, and all stems from pride
  • Being a stumblingblock means someone else will fall over us, and never get up if they are weak.
  • This being aware of others is what our Christian walk is about, the horizontal part of the Cross, suspended by the vertical part

JESUS: DEFILING OURSELVES AND OTHERS, BUT NOT WITH FOOD

(Mark 7:14-23)
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

(Romans 14:21)
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
  • It does not matter what we eat, but rather our attitude about it that affects others, and leads to divisions among us
  • This whole attitude comes from the knowledge that puffs us up, worldly health and medical knowledge, as in.

    "I know something you don't know about how bad that food is for you!"

  • It is one thing to be concerned about a person's physical health; quite another to just insult them eating something out of a lack of love and arrogant pride

THE HEART: FILLED WITH PRIDE

Ezekiel 28

(Ezekiel 28:2)
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

LATER...

(Ezekiel 28:12)
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

God was speaking to both Tyrus and the force behind Tyrus, the enemy.

(Ezekiel 28:13-15)
...Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Isaiah 14

(Isaiah 14:12-14)
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

(Luke 10:18)
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Genesis 3

(Genesis 3:6)
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

(1 John 2:16)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

(Revelation 12:9)
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • The first sin was pride
  • It was first found in Lucifer, not mankind yet
  • It stemmed from knowing how beautiful he was made and looking at himself, not God his Creator
  • This is a universal problem, looking at ourselves, not God
  • This then turned into a heart issue, a wicked thought of an overthrow of God, much like mankind still
  • It led to a goal and maybe even an attempt to overthrow the Creator and sit on His Throne...it does not say
  • This was a rebellious spirit, a heart of pride, (God knows all thoughts of the heart)
  • Adam and Eve said the same thing in their hearts, and decided "to take matters into their own hands" becauase they did not believe God when He warned them about the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Thus, they were deceived by the deceived deceiver, the former Lucifer, now Satan
  • He was cast out of Heaven as a leader, relegated to only be allowed access to falsely accuse us before the throne as an enemy
  • The pride was internal in their thoughts, but did work itself out in the actual eating of the fruit, making themselves above the only commandment of God they had.
  • They were cast out of the Garden, until one day....
  • The exact same pride was in the enemy and is now in us
  • The exact same lust of the eyes, flesh, life was in Adam and Eve and now us

(Revelation 22:2)
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

(Romans 14:22)
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
  • Keep your ideas about what is allowed to be eaten for personal biases, beliefs to yourself
  • It keeps us united as a front against the enemy, and is a side issue anyways
  • Speak about health and nutrition, but not legalistically, just for those purposes

(Romans 14:23)
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
  • Once again, it is not in the eating action, but in the attitude about the actions of others
  • If the attitude is that we do not care about others, we will eat that which makes them stumble, in front of their eyes
  • The heart...placing others first...right or wrong...simple as A.B.C.