As I write this, I’m eyeing a mini bag of skittles that have been tempting me from a shelf on my desk for some time now.  The shiny red wrapper alludes to the sugary deliciousness within.  Now I realize that these Skittles are horrible for my body.  In truth, I cannot imagine any edible item that would be much worse for me from a health perspective.  So I am in a quandary.  Do I shun my carnal craving for sugar, or do I indulge in this sumptuous sugary snack?

Some would be quick to point me to 1 Cor 6:19 that says our body is a temple, and thus I should do everything within my power to steward it well.  Others would point me to Galatians 5, that it was for freedom that Christ set us free, enjoy!  Setting aside, that I would say both those scriptures would be largely taken out of context if applied to my Skittles dilemma, (1 Cor is largely referring to abstaining from sexual immorality, and Gal 5 is speaking against legalism, but not wisdom)  neither scripture by itself is sufficient to give me a peace about what God would have me do.  So where do I turn?

Thankfully I have the whole counsel of God’s Word to reach into.  My purpose in life is to love God by knowing Him, and making Him known in my life for my joy and God’s glory.  So what does the whole counsel/revelation of God have to say on this? After all you never want to form an entire theology around one or two verses.

Colossians 2:20-23 – “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

So I can have my skittles now, right?  Well let’s continue, lest we be hasty.

1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.”

So the first question to ask myself, is, does my craving for Skittles rise to the level of slavery?  Can I deny myself Skittles, or is there a bondage developing?  If the good news of the gospel is reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ, are my skittles a means of affection for God, or robbing affection away from Him?  If not an idol, it would seem from this one text permissible to enjoy my tasty treat, as all things are lawful.

Romans 14:1-3 – “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.  Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”

It’s important to note here, that a cross reference would be Daniel 1, where Daniel and his believer friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah chose not to eat the food and wine given to them by the King Nebuchadnezzar, who had conquered them in Jerusalem.  Instead they ate only vegetables and water.  Likewise people (1 Cor 8) in the New Testament were not eating meat that was seen as “unclean” due to the type of food or from its being sacrificed to an idol.  What Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8 are saying is that it is not by the act that one is defiled (sinning), but the heart is where one sins.  Therefore, one could be sinning by eating (a glutton, etc.) or one could be sinning by not eating (self-righteous, seeking to merit favor with God).  Ultimately, the heart is the real question.

Romans 14:13,17 – “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Do you know that someone is an alcoholic?  Do not allow your freedom to be a stumbling block for him/her by downing 3 beers in their face.  Do you know someone who pursues joy in food rather than the Lord?  Don’t invite them out for ice cream.  This is loving your neighbor as yourself, and is in pursuit of peace and joy.  If I know my friend is a recovering Skittle-holic, I should refrain from telling them about how delicious they are as I finish off my bag in front of them.

Romans 14:20-23 – “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.  The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

So where does this leave us?

1)  All things are permissible, but we are called to be wise, always seeking the glory of God
2)  We should not quarrel with one another over actions, rather question the heart that produces it
3)  We should resolve not to be a stumbling block to the faith of another (here is for the individual to come to a peace about what this means with God, such that they can take joy in their actions to the glory of God)
4)  Whatever decision we have a peace with from 1-3, we should do in faith, trusting that our hope is in Christ alone.

Where does this leave me?

I’m enjoying my delicious pack of Skittles – taste the rainbow.

Grace, Peace, and Joy,
Adam