1 CORINTHIANS 8
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothersand wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. – 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
1 CORINTHIANS 8 AVOID BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As you grow your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Watch out that you do not hinder the walk of the weak
Do not be trivial and legalistic towards their practices
Be patient and kind with the ones who just discovered Christ
It is considered a sin if you hinder their growth and confuse them
They will be divided in their spirit and weakened in their faith
Like a good father, Paul admonished the Corinthian believers of their trivialities regarding practices in eating food. Because the Jews have so many rules about what to eat and what not to eat, He wanted to give them a glimpse of how God is not trivial. He is all-knowing and can see all the hearts of men. He understands the process of growing their faith and is not legalistic about continuing their belief system. Just as a good father will be patient and understanding of their children, so is Paul with the believers. Paul called the attention of the believers and that they must ensure that they do not get in the way of the progress of the walk of the new believers. He reminds them that it is sin if they become a stumbling block to the growth of their faith by being legalistic about certain rules that they used to follow. They should be resilient and understanding and get out of the way of the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of the new believers.
REFLECTION
- What are some ways we can be a stumbling block to new believers in Christ?
