Basic Christian theology focuses on the fact that there is one God, who created everything, and that idols are nothing. But not all Christians in Corinth realized this. They believed in the all-powerful God of the Christian faith but are not thoroughly convinced that the other gods do not exist at all.
In their hearts and consciences, they had difficulty because they were accustomed to thinking of idols as being real. Therefore, when they ate meat that had been sacrificed as part of a religious ceremony, they could not separate the meat from the ceremony. They had weak consciences. A “weak” conscience regards as wrong an act that is not wrong, or is still unclear about whether it is wrong or not.
The possibility exists for new converts to fall back into old obsessions by seeing other believers exercise their freedom. Old patterns may link the activity (such as playing cards) with an old obsession (such as gambling). The Corinthians’ weak consciences could not discriminate between right and wrong regarding food offered to idols, so when they ate such meat, they violated their consciences and so believed that they were sinning against God.
Folks, food is neutral—neither good nor evil, regardless of whether or not it has been sacrificed in a pagan temple to an idol. There would be nothing inherently wrong with eating such meat because food has nothing to do with one’s relationship with God. Paul said that the strong believers should not push the weak but, instead, be willing to love them. These “strong” believers (as opposed to those whom Paul described as “weak”) knew Scripture and stood strong on God’s commands and prohibitions but were free from minor, legalistic constraints.
Yet, they must be careful with their freedom so that it would not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble. Since it really doesn’t matter what kind of food believers eat, the strong believers should live on the side of love for the sake of the weaker believers.
A “stumbling block” refers to something that might cause someone to trip or fall into sin. The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her freedom, be a harmful example, and thus offend the consciences of others.
The overscrupulous but weak Christian may try to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension. Paul wanted his readers to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because all believers are strong in certain areas and weak in others, they constantly need to monitor the effects of their behavior on others.
Mature Christians shouldn’t flaunt their freedom. They should be sensitive to younger converts whose faith can be destroyed by such freedom. If they were insensitive to their weaker brothers and sisters by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, then they would be sinning both against Christ and against other Christians.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Lord, give me a heart to build other believers. Give me a greater heart than ever to strengthen those who are weak. Give me a greater heart than ever to teach sound biblical truth and sound biblical principles to live by. May you give the people of COV a heart to submit to Your word and the authority of Your word. May You give them a hunger for Your word. May You give them a heart to be trained by Your word.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Let us be ruled by Your truth and not our "gut" or what seems right in our own eyes. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)
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