Good Morning “Example Setters”. Today we are in 1 Corinthians 8.
There were some in the Corinthian church that were still hanging on to false idols. They even believed they somehow gained power from eating food first sacrificed to idols. Others believed they were condemned for it. Paul addresses this.
There is one God - period. What you eat does not defile you. However if the reason you are eating is to pay honor to an idol, or you believe you are somehow gaining something from it - then for you it is sin.
He gives a stern warning to us regarding those who are watching, or observing our example. There may be those who are weaker that observe what we eat or drink, and as a result stumble. We bear responsibility if our eating or drinking contributes to their sin.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
This is a principle reiterated several places throughout Scripture in an even broader sense (Romans 14:21). The application becomes clear. If anything I eat or drink, or anything I do has the potential to cause a younger or weaker Christian to stumble - I simply won’t do it. Their Spiritual condition is more important than my freedom.
This is huge! Think of this in terms of our behavior, our language, and what we watch. Drugs, alcohol, even our morality - and who may be watching. Think of those who look on as we live, children, younger ones, other believers, NON BELIEVERS. Do our actions point them to Jesus… or somewhere else?
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” Matthew 18:6-7 NIV
Someone is always watching! We reflect Jesus. The expectation is - to reflect Him well (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
There were some in the Corinthian church that were still hanging on to false idols. They even believed they somehow gained power from eating food first sacrificed to idols. Others believed they were condemned for it. Paul addresses this.
There is one God - period. What you eat does not defile you. However if the reason you are eating is to pay honor to an idol, or you believe you are somehow gaining something from it - then for you it is sin.
He gives a stern warning to us regarding those who are watching, or observing our example. There may be those who are weaker that observe what we eat or drink, and as a result stumble. We bear responsibility if our eating or drinking contributes to their sin.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
This is a principle reiterated several places throughout Scripture in an even broader sense (Romans 14:21). The application becomes clear. If anything I eat or drink, or anything I do has the potential to cause a younger or weaker Christian to stumble - I simply won’t do it. Their Spiritual condition is more important than my freedom.
This is huge! Think of this in terms of our behavior, our language, and what we watch. Drugs, alcohol, even our morality - and who may be watching. Think of those who look on as we live, children, younger ones, other believers, NON BELIEVERS. Do our actions point them to Jesus… or somewhere else?
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” Matthew 18:6-7 NIV
Someone is always watching! We reflect Jesus. The expectation is - to reflect Him well (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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