1 Corinthians 8:13 and Not Eating What Causes to Stumble

Paul wrote very plainly that he would not eat something if it caused someone else to stumble in their faith. Are believers today following his example?

"If food causes my brother to stumble, I will not eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." -1 Corinthians 8:13

My friend Christopher wanted to show others that all things are truly possible with YHWH. So he became a vegetarian. People were floored that he was able to give up eating meat, and that he did so joyfully. His choice to forgo meat eating was a powerful example to his friends and family who felt they couldn't give up the thing that was keeping them back from the Messiah. His vegetarian diet was the spark that ignited freedom from drugs, addiction, sinful relationships, and lies in the lives of many people. Does Scripture teach that you have to be a vegetarian? No, many passages make it clear which animals are permissible for eating. But Chris's choice to not eat those animals helped many encounter the truth and love of YHWH.

I don't share this to say that you have to become a vegetarian, because you don't. Scripture gives you the right not to. But as Paul said, "Watch out that this right of yours doesn't become a stumbling block."

Scripture gives us certain instructions regarding what we are to eat. Mainly we are to avoid unclean animals (pigs and shellfish, as well as other creatures like bats, camels, and ostriches). You can see more on this here or in Leviticus 11.

We are not going to get into the debate of if YHWH's word still stands today or not. So regardless of if you are eating clean or unclean animals and foods, let's look at this verse again: I will not eat what causes my brother to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:13)

When my husband and I started making changes away from the mainstream Christian faith, many people started working very hard to explain why following Scripture's dietary instructions was unnecessary. To this day, we are regularly questioned, teased, or told we are wrong by well-meaning believers. Even if this were true, how is this a good use of anyone's time? I would so much rather they would spend that time and energy to share the Gospel with the masses who desperately need it, than to to try and give me more dinner options.

The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 8 explains that people have different sensitivities when it comes to what they eat. It's worth noting that this is in regards to Biblically clean animals that have been offered to idols, not if unclean animals are acceptable to eat. Many translations use the word 'weak' but sensitive better encompasses the meaning of this passage. This entire chapter of Scripture tells us, "Not everyone is going to agree with you on this, be respectful anyway." You know what is not in this passage? Some sort of clause that says if someone is more sensitive than you are about what they eat, just go ahead and explain why they are wrong. Or belittle them until they agree with you or try to trick them into eating bacon. Be kind to those who are sensitive, their faith is on the line.

Is what you're eating causing someone to stumble? Let's look at who your dietary choices can impact:

-The roughly thirteen million Jewish people in the world who have not accepted the Messiah. One of the major set backs is that Jews see Christians representing the Messiah as someone who did not keep the commandments. Additionally many Jewish people are uncomfortable or unwilling to sit at a table with someone who is eating something that Scripture says not to, which obviously hinders relationship development and a chance to share truth. 

-Those frustrated by the confusion and hypocrisy of the faith. While Christians are used to how they do or don't apply certain passages of Scripture, this is truly confusing for someone new or outside the faith. I've been in churches where before the sermon everyone holds up their Bible and says that it is the inerrant word of God, and then the pastor's sermon explains that well, actually a good chunk of it is out of date. We can all think of people who have left the faith because of hypocrisy in others. 

-People who have decided not to eat meat for ethical reasons. In the mass food system there are many horrible things that happen during the factory production of meat. Many believe that the Messiah would not take part in this system, and therefore they choose not to as well. Does anyone benefit by debating this decision? Why try to convince them that the one whose eye is on the sparrow doesn't care about the welfare of his creatures? 

-Those who need to see a demonstration of love and power. Like Christopher's friends and family, who doesn't want a tangible example to point to of the transformation that happens through the Holy Spirit? Who doesn't need to see that change is possible? Being respectful of someone's dietary choices is a great way to show that person love. It is so meaningful to go to a friend's for dinner knowing that they have gone out of their way to make sure the meal is something I am comfortable with. There are too many believers claiming to love others, but aren't willing to give up any of their own rights to support another's faith.

Pick up any cookbook or flip on any food related show and you will hear how food has an amazing power to connect people of different cultures, ages, nationalities, lifestyles, etc. But the quickest way to break that connection is to be disrespectful of someone's dietary restrictions. Don't let your food choices cause someone else to stumble. Make sure your table is one you can invite them to.

More about eating the Bible's way: 

What is Biblically Clean Eating?
Did the Messiah "make all foods clean"?
What Scripture Teaches About Peter's Vision
Understanding 1 Corinthians 10:27

The Meaning of Yom Teruah

Ever wondered about Yom Teruah? It is the set apart time of YHWH that lands on the first day of Scripture's seventh month. It translates something like Day of Sounding or Day of Awakening Blasts. You've probably heard it called the Feast of Trumpets, which is a pretty good name but it doesn't quite describe the full meaning of the word. Let's delve a little more into the meaning of 'teruah' to get a better idea of what this set apart time of YHWH is.

If we read Scripture in Hebrew, 'teruah' would be a common word to us. It is used something like 36 times just in the Tanakh. Strongs defines it as: alarm, signal, sound of tempest, shout, shout or blast of war or alarm or joy.

Where do we see teruah in Scripture?

Teruah is what Israel did that brought down the walls of Jericho. (Joshua 6:20) 

There was a great teruah when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Israelite camp when they were battling the Philistines. (1 Samuel 4:5)

Moses sent Pinchas the priest to war with an instrument to teruah with. (Numbers 31:6)

When King David moved the Ark of the Covenant, it was with great teruah from himself and all Israel. (2 Samuel 6:15)

There was a teruah for joy when the Temple foundation was relaid. (Ezra 3:12)

Job described the face of someone accepted by YHWH as teruah. (Job 33:26)

Music and singing to worship YHWH is teruah. (Psalm 150:5, Psalm 33:3)

Offerings were restarted to YHWH on Yom Teruah. (Ezra 3:6)

The great day of YHWH is a day of teruah. (Zephaniah 1:16)

YHWH himself shall go up in teruah to the sound of a shofar. (Psalm 47:5)

Does this help set the stage a little bit better? We can see that teruah is a word that goes with big things: the presence of YHWH, conquering enemies, rebuilding the Temple, and the joy that comes from worship and obedience to YHWH. (Also the significant consequences of not worshiping or being obedient to YHWH.)

While the Leviticus 23 description of Yom Teruah is brief, we are told that this day is, "a remembrance of teruah." A day to remember the amazing things that YHWH did for Israel throughout Scripture, and what he has done in your personal life! Times we have faced warnings or gone to war, seen walls torn down, remembered covenants, and seen giants conquered. Yom Teruah is a time we are to remember all of that.

It is cool that all of these things were done with teruah - that music, joyful shout, alarm cry - because that really shows how powerful what you listen to is. For years I worked at a Christian radio station and we would hear from listeners all the time about what a difference listening to our station made to their spiritual, mental, and emotional health. That's how powerful truth is - it can totally transform every aspect of your life.

And see how this fits with the prophetic significance of the return of Yahusha at Yom Teruah? While teruah covers some different meanings (alarm and joy don't usually go together), they all fit so well with what I imagine it will be like when the Messiah returns. What could be more joyful or alarming, depending on your relationship with him?

Blessed are the people who know that joyful teruah. -Psalm 89:15

25 Things the Bible Says About You

This post takes a look at what the Bible says about you, so that we can be rooted in our identity in the Messiah and his work in us. This list is not conclusive, but is an excellent reminder to focus on what God says instead of what the people around us say or even our own thoughts. Sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves, My identity does not depend on this test or that diagnosis. I am worth more than my salary or what that person said. As believers in Messiah we are called to know our identities in him!

Did you know in Scriptures there are many things that the Living God says about you. Psalm 139:17-18 says that YHWH's thoughts of us are more numerous than the sand. Here are just a few of the thoughts God has about you.

The Living God describes you as:

-His (Isaiah 43:1)

-Called by the name of Israel (Isaiah 43:1)

-a renewed creation in the Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17)

-set apart (Ephesians 1:4)

-loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

-a priest (1 Peter 2:9)

-made clean from the filthiness of idolatry (Ezekiel 36:25)

-called, justified, and esteemed (Romans 8:30)

-precious in his sight (Isaiah 43:4)

-inscribed with God's word on your heart (Jeremiah 31:33)

-not forsaken when seeking YHWH (Psalm 9:10)

-given strength (Psalm 29:11)

-blessed with peace (Psalm 29:11)

-healed from disease (Psalm 103:3)

-satisfied with good things (Psalm 103:5)

-traded joy for morning (Isaiah 61:3)

-given the Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

-able to have a joyful heart even in the worst circumstances or most extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2)

-a restorer of the paths to live in (Isaiah 58:12)

-set apart by the learning of the Word (John 17:17)

-ransomed from death (Psalm 103:4)

-healed of backsliding into idolatry and faithlessness (Hosea 14:4)

-not judged by appearance (Isaiah 11:3)

-pruned for great fruitfulness (John 15:3)

-called to walk in the same ways as the Messiah (1 John 2:6)

Learn these things! This is what the Living God says about you. Speak and pray these things over yourself. Saying things like, "Thank you that I am given peace. Help me to experience that," or "Teach me what it means to restore the paths to live in," are great ways to sink these truths into your being. Learn what YHWH says about you so you know who you are.

Related posts:
Overlooked Truths in Proverbs 31
Why Biblical Law is for All Believers
The Northern and Southern Kingdoms in the Bible (and why they matter)

25 Scriptures That Will Make You Want to Garden

Many positive things come from gardening. The most obvious joy is at harvest time when you get to reap the fruits of your labor and enjoy fresh vegetables that are far superior than what's available at the store. But you also get to enjoy the beauty of a flower, and the bees and butterflies that gardens attract. Gardening is hard work but physical exercise is important to having a healthy life and body, and many have attested to the power of fresh air for clearing your mind and lungs. Not to mention the vitamin D the sunshine brings. We could also discuss the many, many benefits to our environment, communities, and personal health that come from growing even a little of our own food.

But there is one other benefit: better understanding of Scripture.

I believe in eating local. I love growing my own food. I'm happy to have a form of exercise that pays me in tomatoes and broccoli. But the best part about gardening is that it teaches me about Scripture. Where is the starting point for humanity's story? A garden YHWH walked in. Who had a deep fondness for agricultural illustrations? Yahusha. YHWH regularly spoke to the prophets in the same way. Job and King David and Yahusha insisted that creation had something to declare to us. The Promised Land was particularly exciting because of how well things grew there. Jonah learned of the mercy of YHWH through a plant that died. YHWH repeatedly uses plants and nature to help us understand him. 

But how can we consider the lily if we have never seen one? How can we have mustard seed-like faith if we don't know what that means? You don't have to dig a garden or grow all of your own food. You can learn even with a small flower bed or one pot of herbs in the windowsill. 

25 Things Scripture Says About Gardening:

My Father is the gardener. - John 15:1 - If we want to learn more about the nature and character of YHWH then it would help to learn about what gardeners do and how they work.

And YHWH Elohim took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it. - Beresheet 2:15 - I don't think YHWH is in favor of the 'efficiency' of factory farming and industrial food. From this passage we can see that YHWH intends mankind to both grow foods and flowers and to care for the earth.

Listen, see, there went out a sower to sow.... - Mark 4:3 - Yahusha often spoke in parables about planting and growing. If a basic understanding of how things grow can give us a basic idea of what he was saying, then a better understanding will give us an even better idea.

For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is uncultivated, and were grafted contrary to nature into a tov olive tree, how much more shall these, who are cultivated branches, be grafted into their own olive tree as well? - Romans 11:24 - Did you know that olive branches can be cut off from the tree and 'dead' for years before being successfully grafted back into the tree? This passage becomes much richer when we know a little back story.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree. It shall be to YHWH for a Name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. - Isaiah 58:13 - We can look for signs from YHWH in the trees but we need to have some knowledge so we can recognize them.

Bring forth fruits of perfect teshuvah. - Matthew 3:8 - Gardeners learn that the fruit is the evidence of what kind of plant it is. What kind of tree is that? It depends what fruit is growing. In the same way, what's going on in you is evidenced by the fruit in your life.

I have smitten you with blight and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig eytzim and your olive eytzim increased, the creeping locust devoured them: yet you have not made teshuvah to Me, says YHWH. - Amos 4:9 - It's hard to understand how devastating blight is from the comfort of the supermarket. We can also see here that YHWH will use gardens and farms in order to turn the hearts of his people back to him.

He told them another parable: The malchut ha shamayim is like a grain of mustard zera, which a man took, and sowed in his field. Indeed, mustard is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs. - Matthew 13:31-32a - The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. This makes more sense once you witness a tiny seed sprout and its plant spread.

And YHWH shall guide you continually, and satisfy your being in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of mayim, whose mayim fails not. - Isaiah 58:11 - How do you know you are walking in YHWH's guidance? Well, do you look like a watered garden or not?

Then YHWH said, You have had pity on the plant, for which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night. - Jonah 4:10 - To give Jonah some shade, YHWH causes a plant to quickly grow. When the plant withers and dies Jonah is taught of YHWH's love and mercy for the people of Nineveh.

Ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you. - Job 8:12 - As Yahusha said, even rocks desire to call out in his praise. All of creation testifies to the glory of YHWH.

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a hut in a garden of cucumbers. - Isaiah 1:8 - There are so many passages throughout the Prophets that are going to be very difficult, if not impossible to understand if we don't have a little bit of familiarity with gardening, farming, and vineyards.

I am the vine, you are the netsarim. He that stays in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. - John 15:5 - Whenever YHWH or Yahusha likens themself to something, we would do well to learn more about what that is.

You shall not sow your field with mixed seed. - Vayikra 19:19 - There is more to this than not tampering with seeds. YHWH doesn't want us mixing ourselves with evil because it doesn't produce good fruit.

For the land, which you go in to possess, is not as the land of Mitzrayim, from which you came out, where you sowed your zera, and watered it by foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land is a land of hills and valleys, and mayim to drink from the rain of the shamayim. - Deuteronomy 11:10-11 - Gardeners know the essential importance of water. In the Promised Land gardening would be easier and plants would flourish due to the abundant mayim.

Plant gardens and eat their produce. - Jeremiah 29:5 - Another verse that leads me to believe that YHWH expects us to grow things. 

The earth brought out grass, and herb yielding zera after its kind, and fruit trees yielding fruit, whose zera was in itself, after its kind: and YHWH saw that it was tov. - Beresheet 1:12 - This is a passage that heirloom gardeners love. Save seeds from a squash and they will grow more squash next year. There are many spiritual applications to this of course.

And I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine from them; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit from them. And I will plant them upon their land, and  they shall no more be pulled up out of their land I have given them, says YHWH your Elohim. - Amos 9:14-15 - Even at the restoration of the Twelve Tribes, there is gardening and planting to be done.

For the sun rises with a burning heat, so that it withers the grass and the flower falls and is pretty appearance perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in the course of his chayim. - Jacob 1:11 - The life cycle of flowers teaches us about our own.

So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that gives mayim anything; but YHWH who gives the increase. He that plants and he that gives water are echad: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. - 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 - Only YHWH can cause things to grow, but he does reward our hard work, both in the field and in his kingdom.

Don't be deceived; YHWH is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. - Galatians 6:7 - Gardeners know you can't expect lettuce to come from celery seeds and blueberries won't come from a grape vine. What you plant in the garden and in life is what you will get.

For he loved the soil. - 2 Chronicles 26:10 - King Uzziah loved the soil in Carmel and cared for the vines, dug wells, and hired farmers.

Consider the lilies and how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you that Shlomo in all his tifereth was not dressed like one of these. - Luke 12:27 - If you want to be able to do what Yahusha says here and consider the lily, then you will need to be familiar with them.

And they heard the voice of YHWH Elohim walking in the garden in the cool of the day. - Beresheet 3:8 - I love this verse. Maybe we should look for him there.

There was a garden, and he entered with his disciples.  - John 18:1 - Yahusha spent much time outdoors and in gardens. He didn't head to a coffee shop or get online when he needed to pray and get refreshed. There's something we can learn from that.

The most significant piece of this to me is that YHWH and Yahusha both love gardens. Song of Songs is a further example of this. Whether or not you try your hand and growing something this year, I hope this gives you fresh inspiration to visit a botanical garden, spend time in your backyard, visit a strawberry farm or whatever else fits into your life that will help you grow in understanding of the Word.

Fifteen Things Scripture Says About Shabbat

What does it look like to honor the set apart day of the week? We see Yahusha eating in the homes of friends, teaching in synagogues, speaking healing, and strolling through a wheat field--but what does Shabbat look like for us? Here are the Scriptures that tell us.

What Scripture Says About Shabbat:

1. It is for all Israel, even today. Shemot 31:16 - "The people of Israel are to keep the Shabbat, to observe Shabbat through all their generations as a perpetual covenant." Yahusha did not take away this command. Hebrews 4:9 tells us that the duty to keep Shabbat remains. Reminder: YHWH calls all of his children Israel. But even if you don't have Israelite blood...

2. He expects you to keep it, even if you aren't a natural born Israelite. Isaiah 56:6-7 - "And the sons of foreigners, that join themselves to YHWH, to serve him, and to love the name YHWH, every person that guards the Shabbat from polluting it, and takes hold of My covenant; I will bring them to My kadosh mountain and make them full of joy in My Beit Tefillah." This passage makes it doubly clear that YHWH expects every person that serves Him to honor Shabbat, regardless of your family traditions or bloodline.

3. It is the seventh day of the week. Shemot 35:2 - "On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a set apart day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest to honor YHWH." The example for this was set by YHWH in Beresheet 2:2 when he rested from creation on the seventh day. Like it or not, Sunday is the first day of the week and does not replace the command to observe Shabbat on the seventh.

4. We aren't supposed to work on it. Shemot 20:10a - "The seventh day is a Shabbat for YHWH. On it, you are not to do any kind of work." Honoring Shabbat means making sure I have the day off from my job. Professional work is prohibited but YHWH gave this command to a group of just-freed slaves wandering the desert. The Israelites had no professional work to do, and were still commanded not to work on Shabbat. Clearly 'work' means more to YHWH than what we are paid to do.

5. It is a day of rest. Shemot 35:2 - "On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a set apart day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest to honor YHWH." Resting is a more helpful way to describe the itinerary for the set apart day. No one is going to pay me to rake the leaves, change the oil in the car, check my email, or clean the house, but are those things restful? Then don't do them!

6. We should worship YHWH on it. Ezekiel 46:3 - "The people of the land shall worship before YHWH on Shabbat." Physical rest is one aspect of Shabbat; emotional and spiritual rest are another. Worshiping YHWH brings us shalom and refreshment. This verse also tells us once again, Shabbat is for all of us.

7. We should not cause anyone to violate Shabbat.  Shemot 20:10 - "On it, you are not to do any kind of work--not you, your son or daughter, not your servants, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you." While most of us don't have servants in the dust-my-mansion sense we still pay people to work for us. Having the electrician over to fix something or having a barista whip up a latte is out of the question on Shabbat. Visiting a place of business, even if you don't pay anything (like a library or gym), causes someone else to work. YHWH says don't do this.

8. We should not buy or sell anything on it. Nehemiah 10:31 - “If the people of the land bring merchandise or food to sell on Shabbat, we will not buy from them on Shabbat or on a kadosh day." This expressly prohibits buying and selling on Shabbat. This is implied throughout Scripture since everyone is supposed to be resting, and in order for things to be for sale someone has to work. Later on in 13:17 Nehemiah discovers food being sold and angrily calls it profaning Shabbat. This means going out for lunch or swinging by the Saturday morning farmers market does not fit in with following the commandments of Scripture.

9. It's not a day for pursuing our own interests. Isaiah 58:13 - "If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on the kadosh day of YHWH ; if you call Shabbat a delight, worth honoring; then honor YHWH by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them." Shabbat is for us to grow closer to YHWH, not to spend browsing the internet, watching movies, or working on hobbies. It is a day for worship, studying the Word, and prayer.

10. We shouldn't cook on it. Shemot 16:23 - "Tomorrow is the rest of the kadosh Shabbat to YHWH; bake what you'd like today, and cook what you'd like to cook; and what is leftover, store up for the morning." YHWH expects us to prepare for Shabbat by having food made so we don't need to worry about cooking. To me this is one of the more challenging of the Shabbat commands but it is definitely worth it to be able to fully honor His instruction. If you're eating a random assortment of leftovers or a peanut butter sandwich, so be it.

11. We shouldn't start a fire on Shabbat. Shemot 35:3 - "You are not to kindle a fire in any of your homes on Shabbat." This verse is referring to an actual fire and not electricity. Starting a fire is a lot of work and something we shouldn't do until Shabbat is over.

12. It is not a day for hauling stuff around. Jeremiah 17:22 - "Don’t carry a burden out of your houses on Shabbat." Historically this has to do with moving things out of your home for sale, but it is also a reminder that we shouldn't burden ourselves on Shabbat. If you find yourself overloading the car before heading to congregation, stop and evaluate if you can downsize, what you can do ahead of time, or what simply can wait.

13. YHWH is angry when his people don't keep it. Ezekiel 20:13 - "But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not live by my laws; and they rejected my rulings, which, if a person does, he will have life through them; moreover, they greatly profaned my Shabbats. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them in the wilderness, in order to destroy them." There are something like fifty verses in Scripture where YHWH rails against His people for not honoring Shabbat. Let this serve as a warning for us.

14. It is a sign between us and YHWH. Shemot 31:13 - "Tell the people of Israel, 'You are to observe my Shabbats; for this is a sign between me and you through all your generations; so that you will know I am YHWH, who sets you apart for me.'" A sign serves as a reminder for all who see it, that means that by keeping Shabbat you are sharing truth with your family, friends, and coworkers. Additionally, this verse tells us that there is something about Shabbat that communicates who YHWH is to us. Incredible!

15. Keeping it is a delight. Isaiah 56:2 - "Happy is the person who does this, anyone who grasps it firmly, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing any evil." In a world with skyrocketing rates of depression and anxiety, don't we want to get all the joy in our lives that we can? Scripture tells us that if we keep Shabbat we will be happy.

Shabbat shalom everyone!