Please read 1 Corinthians 8.
Meditate on verse 9.
But take care that this liberty of yours
does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Paul wrote
this letter to the church in Corinth to address problems and to answer
questions and concerns the Corinthians had. They were concerned about
relationships, so Paul wrote about being single, married, and divorced in 1
Corinthians 7.
In chapter
8, Paul answered a question concerning things sacrificed to idols by saying,
“knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (v. 1). It seems like an odd
answer, but not if you keep it in the context of relationships. Paul wanted the
Christians in Corinth to take the things they were learning about God and apply
them with love to the people around them. For example, the believers were
taught that in Christ they had freedom to eat anything. However, with that
freedom came the responsibility not to cause someone else to stumble in their
walk with Christ or in their opportunity to know Christ as Savior. If eating a
steak that has been sacrificed to an idol, even though an idol is nothing,
hurts another’s spiritual growth, then don’t eat the steak. Be motivated by
love for others rather than the pride of knowing you have the freedom in Christ
to do certain things.
Pray 1
Corinthians 8:1 and 9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a
faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).
“LORD,
may _________ and I not become arrogant
in our knowledge.
In love,
help us edify others.
May we
take care that the liberty we have
not become a stumbling block to the weak.
For the
sake of Your name, Jesus~”
The WATCHMAN
on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell
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