1 Corinthians 8:10-13 – “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
When’s the last time you’ve had a good meal in an idol’s temple? It may be more recent than you think.
While the message of eating in an idol’s temple may seem a little archaic, the principle of eating in an idol’s temple is not. Paul deals with the effect we have on those around us who are weaker in their faith and weaker in their conscience. He says that we must be mindful of them and make appropriate choices so as to not damage what fragile relationship they have with God. Paul uses the word “weak” five teams in thirteen verses.
There are three components of this principle that we should keep in mind when we are dealing with issues like this one that are not central to the message of salvation in Christ
1. Our Relationship With God Is More Than Personal. How many times have you heard that one? “My relationship with God is personal.” It was never meant to be personal. It was meant to be communal. It was meant to be lived out in connectivity with others. You and I must resist the “I don’t care what other people think” mentality. This kind of thinking can be destructive to others according to Paul. “Why do I have to be mindful of other people when I’m making choices that are personal to me?” Because of verse 12 in our text: “But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.” Sinning against someone else equals sinning against God.
2. Our Example Is Important. We underestimate the influence we have on the lives of others. We must live with an awareness of the fallout, good or bad, of our decisions and our actions.
3. Our Relationship With Others Must Be Fueled By Love. Paul opens up chapter 8 with a statement that I believe is really at the core of today’s devotional: “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Knowledge can bring a sense of pride. The statement or reply, “I know that” or “I knew that” has a tone of arrogance in it. Knowledge prefers self while love prefers others. So, when relating to others you can choose to operate in knowledge or choose to operate in love. Choose love.
What kinds of areas of our lives do you think of that might be analogous to eating meat offered to kids?