1 Timothy 4:4, 5 Reject nothing

1 Timothy 4:4, 5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Chapter 4 of 1 Timothy begins by talking about the characteristics of the later times (the period from Christ's first to his second coming) – apostasy, heresy, false spirituality and asceticism. The rest of the chapter calls on Timothy to point such things out, to remain separate from false teachers and to seek to be godly. Though young, Timothy is not to let others look down on him but should set an example to all, being conscientious about the public reading of Scripture and about preaching and teaching. He must not neglect his gift but be diligent, giving himself wholly to the work, so that all will see his progress. He must watch his life and doctrine closely and persevere in them, so saving both himself and his hearers. In those opening verses we read (4, 5) these words by way of argument against false asceticism - For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. This very positive statement contrasts with the rather negative (don't do this, don't do that) attitude often seen in religious people. It begins by stating that everything God created is good. Sin has come into the world, of course, but creation retains a certain detectable goodness. None of it is to be rejected, therefore, but rather should be received with thanks to God the Creator. By means of God's Word and by prayer, it can all be consecrated. So, to take some obvious examples, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with black pudding, bacon, alcohol, tobacco or heroin/morphine for that matter. We should be thankful for each. Provided we use or avoid each in line with Scriptural principles (such as not being drunk, not offending our brother, freedom in Christ, etc) and with much prayer there is not likely to be a problem. Problems are more likely to come if we are unthankful, biblically ill-informed and prayerless.