Romans 14:14-23

14:15 | Destroy means to tear down or to keep something or someone from reaching its potential (1 Cor. 8:8-12). A lack of love and care for another can cause them to engage in behavior that wounds their conscience and keeps them from growing spiritually (1 Cor. 8:11).

14:16 | A Christian’s testimony can be hurt if what he or she does in the name of good is spoken of as evil by others. Paul is not recommending surrendering one’s freedom but using it wisely.

14:17-18 | The believer’s focus should be on the values of the kingdom of God, not worship styles or modes of dress. The Enemy does all he can to drive people toward division. The Spirit drives God’s family toward unity.

14:20-21 | Paul is talking about the *work of Go*d in another person’s life. Every believer is “His workmanship created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10), not to be destroyed or frustrated by another believer’s lack of love or self-control. Christians should use their freedoms to advance the work of God in others’ lives.

14:22-23 | More mature Christians are sometimes tempted to flaunt their knowledge or faith. Paul’s advice is to keep it between oneself and God; Have it to yourself before God. Paul’s words in Galatians 5:13 are a good summary of his whole argument in Romans 14: “Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”