1 Corinthians 10:23-33

                                                             1 Corinthians 10:23-33

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

When it comes to eating meat that has been offered in a sacrifice to idols, there are many factors to be considered.  Because there really is no such thing as an idol that is any sort of deity there is no inherent danger in it.  However, since idolatry is so prevalent in the hearts of men, consideration must be given to the impact that this practice might have on them.  It seems Paul’s conclusion is to not make it a big deal, but to be sensitive to this issue.

 

CONSIDER THE PRECIOUSNESS OF OTHERS: As we decide questions of Christian liberty, we are to be much more concerned about others than ourselves.  There are things that might be fine from a legal standpoint for us to enjoy, but if that thing is offensive to others, we must be very careful.  Our priority must be to help others in their walk with the Lord.  We want to edify one another and not cause them to stumble.  As we make decisions on questionable foods, drinks, and practices, others should be more important than our own freedom or desires. 

 

CONSIDER THE PROTECTION OF CONSCIENCE: That which we cannot do by faith is sin.  If our conscience is not clear, it is because we are walking in a sinful or questionable manner.  In Paul’s day it was common to have meat offered to idols on sale in the normal marketplace.  Paul makes it clear that this should not cause anxiety or stress.  He said to freely purchase without asking questions.  However, if someone makes the point of informing about this issue, this meat should be avoided to protect the conscience of the person that is informing us.  As believers we must be concerned about our conscience and that of others.  We don’t want to offend our conscience or the conscience of other people.

 

CONSIDER THE PRIORITY OF THE GOSPEL: The final and most important consideration is the advancement of the Gospel.  We must make this our ultimate priority.  If we take up a legalistic position that is constantly condemning others for partaking in things not prohibited in Scripture, we are harming the cause of Christ.  If we flaunt our Christian liberty and freely and publicly partake of questionable things, we are impleading the advancement of the Gospel.  We must protect ourselves from either of these two extremes.  If we love others well and are willing to practice deference, we will contribute to the advance of the Gospel. 

 

APPLICATION: Never allow our own physical pleasure to become more important than the spiritual wellbeing of others.  Make decisions about the consumption of alcohol, dancing, music, and other forms of entertainment based on our own conscience and how other around us might be thinking.  Don’t do anything that would hinder our testimony for Christ.