{"id":47670,"date":"2021-04-06T19:54:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T16:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47670"},"modified":"2025-05-27T16:28:04","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:28:04","slug":"dont-eat-whats-meant-for-the-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/04\/06\/dont-eat-whats-meant-for-the-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Eat What\u2019s Meant for the Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exodus 22:31<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Shalom, beloved,<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Old Testament, God gave Israel more than just rules\u2014He gave them principles for living holy and healthy lives. In Exodus 22:31<\/strong>, God commands them not to eat meat from animals torn by wild beasts. On the surface, this was a practical concern for health and hygiene. Torn flesh left out in the wild could be contaminated by disease or decay. But spiritually, this law pointed to a deeper truth: God\u2019s people are to be discerning about what they consume\u2014both physically and spiritually.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God says,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are to be my holy people\u2026\u201d<\/em> (Exodus 22:31).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Holiness means being set apart\u2014not just avoiding sin, but also walking in wisdom and purity. God didn\u2019t want His people feeding on anything questionable or contaminated. In the same way, today, believers must be cautious about what teachings they receive and embrace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Spiritual Discernment in the New Covenant<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the New Testament, the Apostle John echoes this need for discernment:<\/p>\n

1 John 4:1<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We live in a time filled with information\u2014sermons, podcasts, social media teachings. But not everything labeled \u201cChristian\u201d is biblical or truthful. God calls us to test every teaching<\/strong> against His Word. Just because a message sounds inspiring doesn\u2019t mean it is from the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

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The Danger of Consuming Without Testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If someone offered you a half-opened bottle of soda from a store, you wouldn\u2019t drink it\u2014you don\u2019t know if it\u2019s spoiled or poisoned. Spiritually, the same principle applies. We should not carelessly receive teachings or revelations we don\u2019t understand or haven\u2019t tested against Scripture.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Proverbs 14:15<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThe simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If we aren\u2019t careful, we may consume harmful doctrines that weaken our faith, confuse our identity, or mislead us entirely. That\u2019s how many fall into heresies, legalism, or spiritual bondage.<\/p>\n

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Feed Yourself from God\u2019s Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n

God desires every believer to take responsibility for their spiritual nourishment. Don\u2019t rely solely on what others say\u2014dig into the Word yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you:<\/p>\n

John 16:13<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBut when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means learning to “hunt” for your own spiritual food\u2014reading Scripture, praying for insight, and seeking sound teaching rooted in biblical truth. Be like the Berean believers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Acts 17:11<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cNow the Berean Jews were of more noble character\u2026 for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Don\u2019t Be Like the Dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Exodus 22:31<\/strong>, God says the torn meat should be thrown to the dogs. Why? Because dogs were not discerning. They ate anything. We are not dogs.<\/strong> We are God\u2019s holy people. We are called to walk in wisdom, not blindly consume everything we hear.<\/p>\n

Jesus also warned about spiritual dogs\u2014those who reject or trample on holy things:<\/p>\n

Matthew 7:6 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDo not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

So, ask yourself:<\/p>\n