God Speaks
Next is your question about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. On this question everyone feels that only his answer is the right one! But although being a “know-it-all” makes us feel important, what is really needed to build the church is love. 2 If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing his ignorance. 3 But the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God’s knowledge.
4 So now, what about it? Should we eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god, and that there is only one God, and no other. 5 According to some people, there are a great many gods, both in heaven and on earth. 6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created all things[a] and made us to be his own; and one Lord Jesus Christ, who made everything and gives us life.
7 However, some Christians don’t realize this. All their lives they have been used to thinking of idols as alive, and have believed that food offered to the idols is really being offered to actual gods. So when they eat such food it bothers them and hurts their tender consciences. 8 Just remember that God doesn’t care whether we eat it or not. We are no worse off if we don’t eat it, and no better off if we do. 9 But be careful not to use your freedom to eat it, lest you cause some Christian brother to sin whose conscience[b] is weaker than yours.
10 You see, this is what may happen: Someone who thinks it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating at a temple restaurant, for you know there is no harm in it. Then he will become bold enough to do it too, although all the time he still feels it is wrong. 11 So because you “know it is all right to do it,” you will be responsible for causing great spiritual damage to a brother with a tender conscience for whom Christ died. 12 And it is a sin against Christ to sin against your brother by encouraging him to do something he thinks is wrong. 13 So if eating meat offered to idols is going to make my brother sin, I’ll not eat any of it as long as I live because I don’t want to do this to him.
Source: The Living Bible: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Paul moved on to answer their question about eating food that had been sacrificed (dedicated) to idols. One person says, “Idols are not really gods; so, I am going to eat the meat from the pagan temple market.” Another answers, “Yeah, I know that, but doesn’t that mean you are supporting idol worship indirectly? After all, idol worship is what I’m trying to move away from and turn toward Jesus as Lord.” Both speakers are right. They need to respect each other’s decisions before God. Eating such meat doesn’t discredit us with God, nor does not eating it make us more acceptable to Him. What is important is that we respect each other. We should avoid doing anything that would cause a Christian brother or sister to give in to temptation and sin by doing something their own conscience before God tells them is wrong. We should be willing to give up our “rights” for the sake of someone for whom Christ died and who we love in the Lord.
Prayer: Dear LORD, Creator of Heaven and Earth, thank You that You are the only true and living God. There is no one or nothing to compare with You. Please help me to truly fear (stand in awe of) and love You. Then I will have access to Your knowledge and wisdom and understand how to properly relate to the people and circumstances around me. Help me to respect other believers’ decisions made while communing with You. Generally, my non-rebellious actions don’t discredit me with You, nor do my grandest self-initiated, sacrificial gestures make me more acceptable to You. What is important is that I love and respect other people for the sake of Your kingdom. Help me to avoid doing anything that would cause a Christian brother or sister to give in to temptation and sin by doing something their own conscience before You tells them is wrong. Make me willing to give up my “rights” for the sake of someone for whom Christ died and who I love in the Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will apply the principles taught in this chapter to issues in my life (ex. consuming alcohol, mask wearing, vaccinations, etc.)
- I will quietly talk with a fellow believer about their views on a controversial topic of the day.
- I will watch for ways I might be encouraging someone to sin without me realizing it.
- I will ask to Lord to help me to be more aware and sensitive to the convictions of others.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.