Ryan Heathco 1 Corinthians 8-10

What is a gray area of the Bible?
A gray area is any area that is not black and white in the Bible.

Legalism
A person who keeps the law to the letter, to the tiniest jot and tittle, but doesn’t get why it was written in the first place. (Matthew 5:18; Matthew 23:23) Legalists often view the law as a way to make themselves right with God (Hebrews 11:6), and apply the harshest standards on others.

We are under

, not the law.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

How to Navigate the Gray Areas of the Bible:
• Is it in the Bible?
• Is it a

in the Bible? (1 John 1:5; 1 John 4:7)

Take Away:
It’s better to look out for the

of others than our own.

1 Corinthians 8:23-33
23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. 28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

•   Is it for 

  

    
       
       Reveal Answer
    
  

 good?
•   Is it good for my 

  

    
       
       Reveal Answer
    
  

 with believers?
•   Is it good for my 

  

    
       
       Reveal Answer
    
  

 to unbelievers?