Scripture Reading(s)
1 Corinthians 10:23-31
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
27 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.
28 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—
29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?
30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Reflections
This passage gives clear instruction on how we ought to conduct ourselves in the face of great opportunity. Christ here is using the example of eating and public eating to illustrate that even in the small things, we are to do it for God’s Glory. He explains that there are some things that we participate in that might not be inadvertently bad, however, they are also things that do not build up our spiritual growth and may serve as stumbling block to others around us.
At the heart of this passage, Jesus is seeking to teach us that our conduct matters, especially when are around those who are not Christians. Despite what the world may think of Christianity, we are always being watched because of what we stand up to believe in. Jesus is also driving home the point that our behavior can affect the conscience of those around us. If we are Christians and we participate in something that yes, may not be bad, but may cause another one to think that its okay to be a Christian and still act a certain way, then we are doing a disservice to that person.
An example of this would be in the context of what the Jewish people ate. Jesus was in the midst of trying to free people from being bound to law and tradition. However, if one came to know Christ and was seen eating something that in the Jewish culture was believed to be “unclean” and was told so, then it would be best not to eat of it in order to win over the heart of that unbeliever. Eating of it is not a bad thing itself, however it could serve a purpose in proclaiming the Gospel by not doing it.
Always have the Gospel at the forefront of your hearts. Ask if what you are doing can cause someone else to stumble and confuse their conscience. Look for ways that you can be a shinning light to others around you and sacrifice what might be deemed okay in itself, for the sake of winning hearts over to Christ.