This is a very popular, well-intentioned, and often shared idiom which is utilized in religious contexts to insinuate and/or assert that we should glean what we can [meat] from something (a sermon, teaching, worship service, etc) while discarding the other portions [the bone] which may be erroneous and are less appetizing or useful. This “sounds” good; however, it is a heretical idea not rooted in Scripture.
It is impossible to eat 🥩 that has not been affected by the 🦴. Bones are not only the foundation and support system for the body, they supply the nutrients and life-blood for the meat. Essentially...what you eat in the meat...comes from the bones. There are tremendous consequences to eating meat that has been poisoned, polluted, and contaminated by unhealthy bones.
Would you eat rotten meat? Meat that hasn’t been prepared, stored, or cooked properly? No. So why suggest that people should partake of teaching/preaching that has not been birthed in prayer, seasoned in study, starved of sinful impurity, and delivered through a holy vessel?
Very few Christians are skilled enough to be able to discern the proverbial meat from the bone when sifting through sermons, books, and teachings which are spoken or written by either erroneous or false teachers.
The TRUTH is hard to swallow and oftentimes is “spit out” and seen as “bone.” Likewise, the carnal mentality will create a “meat” that reflects their own personal tastes and cravings, effectively serving themselves what they want - not what they need.
We must be biblical, sober, mature, and intentionally diligent as it pertains to what we partake of. As with all things, Scripture gives clear guidance on “why” and “how” we are to do this:
WHY: "A little leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church]." (Gal 5:9)
HOW: “But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good." (1Th 5:21)
- Credit to Dr. Sarita Lyons for inspiring this post by her teaching at the 2019 Conscious Christianity Conference