To Eat Food Offered to other "gods" ... or to Not Eat?

There are many religions around the globe that have various traditions surrounding food.

As Christians, many of us Pray over our food before we eat. Mainly to give Thanks, to pray for nourishment, and in the name of fellowship with other Christians.

Just as Jesus gave thanks for his food before he ate, we do the same.

And sometimes, Christians Fast... not eating, or eating a limited amount, for a certain period of time. To nourish our own spirit.

Some religions however, pray and offer up animals before they are slaughtered, as an offering to their gods. Some religions never eat certain types of meat that are considered unholy.  Some religions only clean their food a certain way - and any other way of cleaning that food item is considered not in line with their beliefs. There are even some  Christian traditions that abstain from eating certain foods on particular days of the week as a personal sacrifice and in honour to God.

So, knowing this.... Is it a sin if we eat a piece of food that a non-Christian friend cooked for us- that was prepared in worship to their "god"? What if the food looked delicious?  What if they invited you over to supper, as a friend, do you decline and say "no thanks" just because you know they prepare their food in certain ways that are in honour of their "god"?  If there is a restaurant in town that offers delicious food that was prepared in a religious way, do you refuse to become a patron of the restaurant because you are a Christian?

What if you ALREADY ate food that was offered up to another "god", and you didn't realize it till your non-Christian friend told you after, that they had prayed over the food before you at it?  Have you now sinned?

Good questions.

I was recently at a restaurant that I had no idea followed strict non-Christian religious traditions in the preparation of their food. I didn't realize this, until chatting with the Restaurant Owner, and complimenting them on their delicious meal.... that's when they told me they believe the reason their food is so popular is because it was offered up to their "god" in preparation.  He didn't know I was Christian.  I had no idea I was eating religiously prepared food.  I thought I was in an everyday-average restaurant that prepared delicious food.

I thought... did I make a mistake in eating food offered to another god other than through Christ???
But the food was soooo delicious!!! 

Not so sure. So, I turned to the bible... Here's what it had to say.

1st Corinthians 8:8

"Food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do."

And also... 1st Corinthians 1-7

" Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God. 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this."

So what should we do? What's the best way for a Christian to react if a non-Christian friend offers us a piece of food that was prepared in a religious way that doesn't align with our beliefs?

In my 'personal opinion', and you may disagree, but I say... still thank our God for the food regardless if it was offered to another god by someone else or not.  Food is food. And just know that even if someone else prayed over that food- in their religion- your beliefs and their beliefs are different. So, it should have no effect on you if you ate food offered to another god, as to the Christian, there is only one true God that we believe in anyways.

And- if your non-Christian friend invited you to eat food, in fellowship, even if it may have been done in a religious way for their gods... just remember what it says in the bible. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." So, if you can show your Christian spirit of love, and act in a 'Christ-like' manner while partaking in their food, perhaps joining your non-Christian friend could be a great opportunity for ministry.

Then again- IF the whole idea just makes you feel horrible and guilty, and that you're not doing the right "Christian" thing to do (if you eat food offered to other gods)... Don't do anything if you feel convicted... Seriously. I'm not here to tell you what to do. First off, I'm not a pastor... and only God is the final judge. And only Christ knows your True Heart as to why or why not you would partake in the food. I guess the rule WWJD (What would Jesus Do) can be applied. At the end of the day... its  food that will nourish your body.  If the whole thing feels wrong to you, don't do it.  But if its done in the spirit of love and ministry so perhaps your friend will learn what Christ is all about, perhaps think about reconsidering.

Here's what I do know as a fact: Jesus was one of the most non-judgemental persons who ever lived.  He ate meals with sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors. And he still went to worship God in the temple. He ate with imperfect people, because he knew by doing so, he was extending grace. And showing what TRUE Christianity is all about. :)  Love, Peace, Fellowship, Grace. Perhaps we can all learn from Christ's example when it comes to joining our non-Christian friends for supper.