Question by leonz: I am invited by a pagan friend for dinner at his temple. Im a christian, should i go based on the bible?
Im not even sure if the food is sacrificed for the gods or just a celebration dinner. Any ideas fellow brothers and sisters?
Best answer:
Answer by Karianne(:
Sure, just go for the expirence.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
I believe if you go the this celebration then you are saying that your friends religion is “ok” or “tolerable” and in doing so , you are telling your Lord (by your actions) that its okay to give Satan a place in your life, and once you open that door, you may not like what comes in.
The only reason a Christian should go to a pegan celebration is if the Holy Spirit commands it, and After meditating in pray, placing on the full armor of God and praying the prayer for a hedge of protection, prepare for the spiritual battle that will persue.
Going may seem easy…and if it is, its because Satan isn’t going to bother you because you are opening the door and letting him in.
As a brother in Christ I would initially recommend you politely decline, but ultimately I would suggest you pray about it and go as the Holy Spirit guides you.
Good thought about the food being possibly sacrificed to “the gods” or whatever they believe they are worshiping. Though remember that Jesus made all foods clean in Matt 15:11 :
it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Be aware. If you decide to go, please be aware that you will most likely be questioned if not outright berated for stating your beliefs. Then again, your testimony and sincerity of worship to the 1 and true living God and Savior in Christ Jesus may be just the heart-opening story of truth (or partr of their conversion) that someone there needs. I believe that we will never in our lifetime know the full effect our faith has on others, so on the other side of the coin it may be a good thing for others if you went.
I would just suggest you be aware that you’re going to a place where there are many people who are opposed to Christ, which therefore makes them anti-Christs, who may verbally beat you down.
Remember or read for the 1st time 1 Cor. 10: 18-33, specifically verses 20 and also verse 31:
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
which is almost like it was written by God for your particular situation. Hmm, now could that be? Walk by faith, brother, not by sight.
A friend invited you for dinner at his temple. I don’t see why you cannot go. Why do believers feel it’s bad to go to another place of worship. Go and have fun with your friend….bd
If you have questions, then ask the person who invited you. It’s probably just a celebration dinner. If your friend knows you’re Christian, they probably wouldn’t invite you to something that they know goes against your scripture.
Besides, if it so happens that there’s going to be a ritual or something… you don’t have to participate. I went to a concert once (unaware that it was actually a “praise Jesus through music” event) and yes I was a little uncomfortable when they started talking about how “lost” non-Christians were, how literal the Bible was, and all that stuff that reminds me why I’m not Christian, but I stayed out of respect for the people I went with.
I will pray for the 2nd guy 🙂 he is very confused
Why not put aside you self imposed differences and just enjoy yourself? They’re not going to make you worship another god or gives thanks to another god. Why be so segregated and so closed to other experiences in life?
Four out of the seven days of the week are named after Pagan gods, should you then refuse to say Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday because you believe in a different god? I’m sorry I just don’t see the logic in worrying about such stuff, go out and have some fun, meet new people, experience a different perspective.
I would not go based on the bible… I would sit on a chair.
The teaching scriptures in 1 Corinthians 10 is very clear: believers should NOT partake in feasts at places of idol worship where food has been openly offered to idols:
20No, I am suggesting that what the pagans sacrifice they offer [in effect] to demons (to evil spiritual powers) and not to God [at all]. I do not want you to fellowship and be partners with diabolical spirits [by eating at their feasts].(K)
21You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the demons’ cup. You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the demons’ table.
22Shall we thus provoke the Lord to jealousy and anger and indignation? Are we stronger than He [that we should defy Him]?(L)
23All things are legitimate [permissible–and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
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If a person who is not a believer invite you for a social meal (but not at temple celebration), it is fine. Just go and engage and eat.
27In case one of the unbelievers invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is served to you without examining into its source because of conscientious scruples.
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However, if you have been made aware that the food has in fact been offered to idols, do not eat for the sake of the maintaining a good conscience before that person.
28But if someone tells you, This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol, do not eat it, out of consideration for the person who informed you, and for conscience’s sake–
29I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, [do not eat it]. For why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?
You should go and experience as many religions as you can in this life. Life is all about experiences.
If he’s not making you participate in any prayers or rituals, then I don’t see the conflict. You’re just eating and socializing, that’s all. And if the food was consecrated to his gods in some manner, it’s not like it’s been poisoned or tainted in some way. From the traditional Christian point of view, heathen gods don’t exist and therefore do not own anything (hey, that’s how Christianity incorporated so many pagan holidays and practices).