Your friend Jack Griffin was quoting a scripture. If everyone would “study” the bible like they study the volumes of books in the halls of academia then such Godly wisdom would abound through out the earth. Never the less, as Paul stated below, we are all free to do as we wish, but never should we encroach upon the conscience of our brothers for our own benefit.Seek not our own benefit but the benefit of our brothers to the glory of God.

Back drop to the scriptures below. After it was revealed to Paul that God’s salvation through Christ was for all humanity Jews and gentiles alike, Paul had to help the Jews and gentile reconcile differences of opinions when it came to worldly “Jewish-tradition-oriented” practices such as eating food sacrificed to idols. The new Christian gentiles were eating food sacrificed to idols though they did not do so as paying homage to the idol but out of hunger and courtesy amongst non-believers. Paul had to point out to both Jew and Gentile that Christians are free in all ways though that freedom comes with responsibility to God, our fellow believers and to know that not all things we may do with our freedom is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 10:27-33
27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.