“Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them” (Hebrews 13:9).
Not only does Satan make temptation to personal sin alluring (1 John 2:15), he also spawns doctrines which are “various and strange” (see yesterday’s post). It should come as no surprise if these doctrines are spiritually superficial and carnally spectacular.
The text above reveals the root of a demonic doctrine which was threatening God’s people. It is the superficial notion that food which can only nourish the body can and will strengthen the soul. This is false “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Your physical diet does not commend you to God (1 Corinthians 8:8); therefore, regulations such as “do not touch, do not taste, do not handle” have “an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:21, 23).
Genuine spiritual strength arises from the nourishing grace of God–which teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age (Titus 2:12), not from scruples in your diet.
The present tense in the command to “not be carried away” by various and strange doctrines indicates this is a real and present danger to God’s people then and now.
