It’s okay to eat meat. Including pork, which is red meat! Keep in mind that the Law is not for the born-again believer. But don’t take my word; let’s see what the Bible says.

Created: Monday, November 13, 2023

It’s Okay To Eat Meat According To The Bible

STM Bible Snack

We know Jewish (Mosaic) laws say don’t eat certain animals. However, Jesus brought a new way. So born-again believers are free from those laws.

1 Timothy 4:4 [read 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (4)]: Everything God created is good. And if you give thanks, you may eat anything. (CEV); KJV: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Meat doesn’t make you unclean, so it’s okay to eat it

Mark 7:18-19 [read Mark 7:1-23 (18-19)]: He asked them, “Are you so ignorant? Don’t you know that nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean? 19 Because it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then into the sewer, thereby expelling all foods.” (ISV); KJV: 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; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

God rebukes Peter

Acts 10:13-15 [read Acts 10:9-15 (13-15); compare Acts 11:1-18 (7-9)]: A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill something and eat it.” 14 Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten anything that our Law says is unclean.” 15 The voice said the second time, “What God has made clean you must not say is unclean.” (NLV); KJV: And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Paul encourages not to judge about food

Romans 14:2-3 [read Romans 14:1-13 (2-3)]: One person may believe they can eat anything, while another whose trust is weak only eats vegetables. 3 Those who eat anything must not look down on those who won’t, and those who won’t eat must not criticize those who do—for God has accepted them both. (FBV); KJV: For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 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.

Colossians 2:16 [read Colossians 2:11-23 (16)]: So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a new moon observance, or sabbaths. (CEB); KJV: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

We may eat any kind of food

Romans 14:14 and 17 [read Romans 14:14-23 (14 and 17)]: I am absolutely sure that nothing is “unclean” in itself. The Lord Jesus has convinced me of this. But someone may consider a thing to be “unclean.” If they do, it is “unclean” for them. 17 God’s kingdom is not about eating or drinking. It is about doing what is right and having peace and joy. All this comes through the Holy Spirit. (NIRV); KJV: 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. 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

It’s okay to eat meat

1 Corinthians 10:25-26 [read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (25-26)]: You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 26 For, as the scripture says, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” (GNT); KJV: Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

Do everything to bring praise to God

1 Corinthians 10:30-31 [read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (30-31)]: I thank God for my food. So why should anyone say it is wrong for me to eat what I thank God for? 31 So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to bring praise to God. (WE); KJV: For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Dietary laws ended when Grace took over

Hebrews 9:9-10 [read Hebrews 9:6-10 (9-10)]: This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order. (CSB); KJV: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Depend on Grace, not rules about food

Hebrews 13:9 [read Hebrews 13:7-17 (9)]: Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Depend only on God’s grace for spiritual strength, not on rules about foods. Obeying those rules doesn’t help anyone. (ERV); KJV: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

So remember, dietary laws were part of the old way (Law of Moses). People had to obey them until the new covenant (grace) came. So, it’s okay to eat meat! Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺