Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. – 1 Corinthians 8:9
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The practice of offering food to idols was prevalent among the pagan Corinthians. However, some Corinthian Christians felt free to eat at the pagan temple, based on their knowledge that idols are nothing. But there were others who ate the food with the consciousness as a thing offered to an idol.
Paul is addressing these knowledgeable Corinthian Christians, reminding them that not everyone has similar knowledge. And if someone believes there is something to an idol and they eat the food offered to an idol, their conscience being weak, is defiled. Not because their conscience is does not work, rather because it is wrongly informed and is working on the idea that there is something to an idol. The thinking of the ‘free’ Corinthians with their superior knowledge is, ‘but we are right!’
Being right is not more important than showing love in God’s family. We aren’t more spiritual if we know idols are nothing and feel a personal freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Nor is one less spiritual for abstaining from meat sacrificed to idols. Similarly, in today’s context, Christian liberty is not defined in watching movies, music or television, nor does not it make one more or less spiritual.
What matters is love towards those in God’s family. It is easy for a Christian to say, “I answer to God and God alone” and to ignore his brother or sister. The truth is that we will also answer to God for how we have treated our brother or sister.
What do you need to do differently to ensure that you do not cause those watching to stumble?
Lord may your love override my every thought and action, I pray.
Extended Reading – 1 Corinthians 5-8
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