BE CAREFUL

 

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

     In this chapter Paul introduces a principle known as the stumbling block principle.  He uses the context of meat offered to idols, but it has a wide range of applications. 

 

1.      In vs 1, Paul reminds his readers and hearers that concerning meat offered to idols to be careful of how they respond to the knowledge they have.  Just because you have information or knowledge the real issue is how you present and apply it.  Temper your knowledge and information with love. 

2.      In vs 2-3, Paul says be careful of what you think you know because when applied wrong it can make you look like you don’t really know anything.  Knowledge shared at the wrong time in the wrong context gets a wrong reaction.  You miss an opportunity to encourage, inspire and equip others.  Paul then those who love God are known by Him.  They are His.  He abides in them.  He has a friendship and relationship with them.  They are his family.  There is mutual love and respect. 

3.      In vs 4-5, Paul shares that meat offered to idols are offered to lesser beings.  They are made up gods, idols, and demons.  There is only one true God. 

4.      In Vs 6, Paul reveals the following truth about God.  There is God the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live. 

 

a.      There is there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ.  This three-fold title talks about his authority, humanity, and Messiahship. 

b.      It is through Jesus whom all things came and through whom we live. Through His broken body, shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection we have inheritance, fellowship, and eternal and abundant benefits. 

5.      In Vs 7-8, Paul states that not everyone knows this so when they eat food offered to an idol, they think it is somehow connecting with that deity and that is why they have weak consciences or even seared.  Paul then says that when we eat food it doesn’t bring us closer to God.  We are no better off.  It is important to eat well and healthy, but it doesn’t make you more spiritual, sanctified, or closer to God.  The Kingdom of God is not a matter of meat and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

 

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

 

1.      Paul has four things to state here.  First, be careful, wise, and discerning.  Read the situation and scenario right.  This is where application of knowledge and information come in.  Just because you don’t feel something or view something the same way someone else does not mean you do it in their presence. 

2.      Paul says it may be perfectly right for you to exercise your rights or viewpoint in private but maybe not in public.  Love says I respect and value you as a brother and friend in the Lord.  So, when I know your conviction, I will not disregard your thoughts on this matter.

3.      Our conviction and viewpoint can become a stumbling block if we carelessly disregard the opinions and viewpoints of others.  This doesn’t mean we surrender of convictions it just means that we are wise in how we exercise them with others. 

4.      In this case Paul says if a brother or sister see you eating in a temple it will give them the wrong idea.  They can be destroyed and in turn we are sinning against Christ.  Paul says all things may be lawful but are all things expedient.  This means that you can do it, but it might be wrong and immoral to others.  You are aware of others, and you act accordingly. 

5.      Jesus gives us a wonderful exhortation in 7:12 and Luke 6:31, do unto others as you have them do unto you.  Paul is basically saying we are our brother’s keeper.  Paul says that he wouldn’t eat meat again if it caused a person to stumble and fall.  This metaphor Paul uses is for a behaviour or attitude that leads another to sin or to destructive behaviour.

 

The simplest way I can put it is being respectful, kind, loving and courteous to those you are with.  It is being a gentleman or lady.  It means to the best of your ability making those around you feel as comfortable as possible.  This has both an application in the righteous and unrighteous world.  The secret is walking in love. 

 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.  You do this and you are honoring and living what Jesus said that people will know we are his disciples by the way we love one another.