DOES IT MATTER WHO EATS WHAT?

Written by: Jennifer

9/26/2026

As I, Jennifer, reflected on the question, “Does it matter who eats what?” I wondered whether others had asked themselves the same thing. I prayed and searched my Bible for answers many times. Recently, the Holy Spirit led me to the truth about this issue I have been struggling with.

If you know me personally, you know that I have struggled with the dietary laws in Leviticus 11.

After recently meditating on God’s Word, I believe I found my answer. I want to explain what I believe has divided many people: what we eat, how we worship, and even which day or days we should worship the Lord. It saddens me to see so much debate over different interpretations of God’s Word. Nevertheless, we must stand firmly on the truth and remain faithful to the Scriptures of the one true God Almighty

Here is what I believe Paul is teaching us in this chapter. Unless otherwise noted, these explanations are in my own words. Please test everything I say against Scripture rather than relying on opinion alone. Pray, seek God, and study this matter for yourselves. I also encourage you to examine anything I share, whether in person or online.

Many people today disagree about which foods are biblically clean. I have heard people tell others what they may or may not eat. I understand practicing self-control for health reasons, although that is new to me. Here, however, I am referring to the strict rules some impose about which foods are acceptable. Reading Romans opened my eyes to this issue and reminded me that “the truth will set you free.” When I studied Romans 14, I began with the first verse and compared several translations, including the Greek-English Parallel Interlinear Bible. The chapter opens by teaching spiritually mature believers not to argue with or tear down those whose faith is weaker. It then explains that some people eat all kinds of food, while others abstain—for example, vegetarians or those who follow the Levitical dietary laws (kosher).

At the beginning of this passage, verse 4 raises an important question: Who among us has the authority to judge or accuse a brother or sister in Christ? I am paraphrasing here, and this is different from discerning the actions of unbelievers. The answer, of course, is that none of us is worthy to judge. At times, each of us has stood firm in faith, and at other times, each of us has failed. No one gets everything right—NOT ONE OF US IS PERFECT IN ANY WAY. Only Jesus Christ lived without sin. He gave His life knowing our failures and knowing that we could not be saved without Him. Those who eat all foods should show that same love to those who believe certain foods should not be eaten—or, for that matter, to anyone who understands Scripture differently.

Verse 5 goes further by acknowledging that people also differ in their views about whether certain days should be considered more important than others.

As I understand this chapter, these differences should not divide us. Our personal walk with the Lord is ultimately between each of us and God; no one else has authority over that relationship. Others should not condemn us for what we eat or call our food unholy when our faith is rooted in the freedom of Christ. Therefore, let us be fully convinced in our faith that, in Christ, no food is unclean in itself.

However, Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles repeatedly warn us not to treat others harshly or become a stumbling block—an obstacle that may harm another person’s faith. We must not tear others down or damage their faith in the Lord. Scripture warns that the One who knows all things, Almighty God, also judges all people, and we will be accountable to Him for how we treat others.

Many people choose food according to their tastes. Those who live in the freedom of Christ should strengthen one another and act with confidence in their faith, without doubting whether God accepts them. Verse 23 teaches that eating while doubting is sinful because it is not done in faith. As verse 17 explains, the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Whatever your convictions, live by them confidently and without doubt. By the grace God has shown us, do not destroy His work in others. Continually show brotherly and sisterly love, and treat one another’s convictions in Christ with compassion and respect. I pray that all of us will confidently live as witnesses of Jesus Christ. Love as Jesus loves, because He loved us first (1 John 4:19)!