Stumbling Blocks Part 3: Freedom Right vs. Beneficial
April 28, 2024

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“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. —Paul, 1st Corinthians 8.1-3

“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’” - Paul, 1st Corinthians 8.4
“But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. —Paul, 1st Corinthians 8.7

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?” —Paul, 1st Corinthians 8.9-10

“So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” —Paul, 1st Corinthians 8.11-13

Decision-Making Framework

👉 Does the

speak to this issue?

👉 Are there

I can apply?

“That our bodies are not our own. They belong to God, who created us and redeemed us…bought us with a price.” —Paul, 1st Corinthians 6.19-20

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities…not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” —Paul, Romans 13.1, 5

👉 What’s

for me?

“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” —Paul, 1st Corinthians 10.23

👉 How will this decision impact

?

“No one should seek their own good, but the good of others…So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble…” —Paul, 1st Corinthians 10.24, 31-32

Practices:

Solitude

Spend some time thinking about today’s decision-making framework:

  1. Does the Bible speak to this issue?
  2. Are there Biblical principles I can apply?
  3. What’s wisest for me?
  4. How will this decision impact others?

Scripture

Re-read all of the Scriptures from today’s message.

Witness

Am I exercising my freedom in any ways that may be a stumbing block to others?

Real freedom is the freedom to choose not to use your rights for yourself without regard to others.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” —Paul, Philippians 2.3-4

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” —Paul, Philippians 2.5-7

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” —Paul, Philippians 2.8