Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 8:9
God never wants us to use the freedom we have in Christ to cause a new Christian or an immature Christian to stumble. This is what God had Paul write in 1 Corinthians 8:9: “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” As Christians, we must continually be mindful of the power God has given us to make wise choices. It’s not the choices we make between walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh, but it’s the powerful choices God has given us to be able to eat what we like, drink what we want, and so on. For example, anyone 21 years of age and older, by law, can drink alcohol. Now, God’s Word is clear that no Christian is ever to get drunk (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:31–35, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:7), but God’s Word does not tell us not to have a drink. Though this is a freedom, if our freedom somehow becomes a temptation for a younger believer to sin, then we have become that stumbling block. God had Paul write this in Romans 14:20–21, “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.” It’s better to abstain than to cause another Christian to stumble.
Challenge & Application
Besides alcohol, what are some other freedoms Christians have that could cause a younger Christian to stumble?
What are you willing to give up so that a younger Christian does not stumble?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!