Does 1 Timothy 4:1–5 give permission for us to eat anything we want?
Here’s what the Bible says:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:1–5
These verses are a warning to those who deviate from the biblical plan and designs God put in place, and clearly say that some will give “heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” (verse 1). So what we find addressed in verses 3–5 falls under the banner of “doctrines of demons” if one does not remain grounded in the Word of God.
Some try to state that verses 3–5 provide evidence that we can now eat anything we want without guilt, as long as we pray over it. But this is simply a twisting of God’s Word. The key to understanding how to interpret these verses is found in verse 5: the food God has granted us to eat must be “sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” God was very clear about which foods He created and sanctified for us to eat. Genesis 1:29 and Genesis 3:18 specify that God originally gave us fruits, nuts, grains, and plants to consume. And even when God allowed mankind to eat meat, in Leviticus 11, He differentiates between those animals which are “clean” to eat and those which are “unclean,” and should not be eaten (Leviticus 11:46– 47).
This is what Paul meant by “sanctified by the word of God.” If the food we choose to eat does not fit biblical counsel, then it is not sanctified by the Word of God. You can pray over your food all day long, but if it doesn’t fit within God’s specified food plan, then it’s unfit for consumption.
Some go on to say, “But 1 Timothy 4:4 says every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused!”
There are two clear points to consider here:
First, if we were to take this text literally, then there would be no restrictions when it comes to the legitimate meaning of the word creature. Humans are creatures, so is it okay to eat people? If one gets really hungry for some human flesh, is it okay to eat one, as long as they pray over them? Obviously not. The point is that not every living thing is okay to eat. And while God originally gave us a plant-based diet, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would think that it’s okay to eat poison ivy, poison oak, or sit down at the table to have a tobacco salad! This is where we must allow God’s Word to be our guide.
Second, what word comes immediately after refused in 1 Timothy 4:4? The word “if,” of course. If clearly communicates that there are conditions. What are these conditions? Let’s look at verse 5. All food that is consumed is “good and nothing to be refused if” we pray over it, express thanks, and make sure that what we’re eating is sanctified by the word of God (1 Timothy 4:4–5).
In fact, in the Greek “created” in verse 3 is “to fabricate” or “found” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible), and the word “abstain” in verse 3 is “to hold oneself off from” (Ibid.). The word “creature” in verse 4 actually means “an original formation, product.” The context then has the Spirit warning us about those who will depart from the faith of God’s Word and command people to hold themselves off from the food that God “formed originally” to be received with thanksgiving. For every “original formation or product” that God made for food is good, and nothing is to be refused, as long as we pray over it. For it is sanctified or set apart by the Word of God and prayer.
We definitely need to pray over our food today, with all the pesticides used; but notice that this entire passage is an express warning from the Spirit for the “latter days.” Today, more than any other time in Earth’s history, scientific evidence is pointing us back to the Genesis diet. The Spirit says, Please don’t hold yourself off from it.