Hinds Feet on High Places

Vegetarianism ?

   I am not going to go into a discussion on vegetarianism, although I must confess the subject disturbs me, but this passage spoke to me and I wanted to share it. I do not know if that was much of an issue in Bible times, but I think it could easily apply to the attention given to the topic these days. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees when he quoted Isaiah:

" 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

   When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them,

"Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

   Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"

   But He answered and said,

 "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

   Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."

   So Jesus said,

"Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." (matthew 15:8-20)

All that  being said...the Lord looks at our hearts and not at our plates. If we are believers, our bodies are temples of the Spirit,  and we need to be good stewards of them by not introducing harmful substances into them, but we are given freedom to use animal products as food without guilt!  ~He has given us richly all things to enjoy~

food

02:18, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by mccrjill

I think you are right, although we don't eat much meat - it's expensive and full of hormones and so we use it sparingly. The main thing is keeping Christ the center of our hearts - on the throne of our life! Jill

I agree

02:27, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by tioga12

We do have to be careful of additives and hormones these days...
We eat mostly wild venison which helps avoid that problem. And of course home raised stock gives the consumer control over what goes into his food as well.
I think all things in moderation is a good rule to follow, and we do need to watch out for harmful "ingredients" in our food.

Don't see the controversy

02:37, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by rlhayden

I guess I don't understand the controversy because vegetarianism is a personal choice. I don't see anyone on here claiming great rewards from God for not eating meat. I see people who feel it is important for them spiritually to not eat meat....I also see people who feel it is important for them spiritually to not wear pants, not have TVs...etc. It's all a personal choice. God knows what is in our hearts and we all choose to worship Him in different ways.

Edited by rlhayden on 2007-Feb-23 at 02:43

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02:40, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by HandsNHearts

I totally agree :o) I have no real argument against those who choose to leave meats off their diets, however, on our homestead it just isn't going to happen...at least not that I can see coming.
However, the whole issue in our society now, with the clone talk, the genetically-modified stuff, the hormone shots, etc. raising my own animals for food here on site is simply a given now. I take care as to what vegetables I select for my gardening endeavors, and I plan to take just as much care in the selection of our meats.
Thank you for the Scriptural backing of your point.
Deanna

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02:54, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by wannabeone

Very well said. Thanks for your in-put and for backing it with "unstretched" Scripture.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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03:58, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by Brownsmichelle

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
God gave us meat to be eaten. We do need to watch what is in it besides meat but to say we should not consume any is a sin and a sign of the last days. It is a false doctrine

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07:03, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by CandyFoote

Amen!

Candy

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08:59, 2007-Feb-23 .. Posted by OklahomaJamie

To some though, like me, I just don't like meat. I will eat BBQ Pork Ribs and Bacon. But that's all the meat I'll eat. I don't mind using chicken or beef stock in stuff. I don't mind using eggs and dairy products. I cook meat for my family. But, just as some don't like peas, I don't like meat.

Nothing religious or otherwise, just a matter of taste here. I love veggies.

Jamie

Amen to that...

01:45, 2007-Feb-24 .. Posted by FaithfulAcres

I too believe we need to be careful what were buying and eating, being one who is allergic to so many antibiotics and such... I am so glad we have goats for our own milk soon as my girls kid and I would love to raise my own chickens and beefers and the like. Don't you just hate the judgementalness of folks who want to say you cannot eat this or that... Yet they say do not judge me for what I don't eat. Externals, why are folks judging others on exsternals ? I just posted about that on my own blog... The Word of the Lord is still true and useful for today...
Love in Jesus
Linda

Edited by FaithfulAcres on 2007-Feb-24 at 02:11