1 Corinthians Chapter 8: Verses 9-14 (NIV-UK)
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
Paul was reminding the Corinthian church to be careful how they behaved because their actions could be copied by those who were younger in the faith. He talked about the fact that whilst some of the church felt free to eat foods that may have been sacrificed to idols, others would feel bad about doing so. So he encouraged them not to cause difficulty for these younger Christians by eating this food in front of them. By ignoring his advice and doing as they pleased, Paul says they are actually sinning against a fellow Christian and doing damage to their faith.
We too need to be careful how we conduct ourselves amongst other Christians as well as those of no faith. Some may have their own views on things like drinking alcohol, eating certain foods, listening to some genres of music, amongst other things. Their views may be different from ours. But it is not our place to say they should do as we do. Or even push our own opinions on them. We need to be sensitive, compassionate and led by the Holy Spirit, so that we don’t turn them away from their faith journey because of the way we behave.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be sensitive to the conduct of other Christians as well as those who have no faith. Help me to remember that it is not my responsibility to point the finger, or to mock their views if they are different from mine. You have reminded me of yet another reason to be mindful of my own conduct. May it bring glory to You and encourage people to follow You, and certainly never cause anyone to turn away from following You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.