Devotional 1 Corinthians 8: Avoid Causing Others to Stumble Reflection on 1 Corinthians 8: how to use our freedom in Christ responsibly and avoid being a stumbling block to brothers and sisters in the faith. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional 1 Corinthians 8: Avoid Causing Others to Stumble

Today’s devotional is found in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 8, and this was what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, Paul warns the brothers and sisters in the church of Corinth to be very careful with food sacrificed to idols so as not to influence weaker believers to sin against God.

Observations

These were my observations.

1. We must be careful with food sacrificed to idols so as not to be a stumbling block for the weak. With this observation, Paul alerts the Christians in Corinth that if we happen to eat meat sacrificed in an idol’s temple, we must be careful not to influence those who lack spiritual knowledge and maturity into sinning (1 Corinthians 8:7). First, one should not sacrifice anything to idols, because there is only one true God (1 Corinthians 8:6). Second, if by chance someone eats food sacrificed to idols, but worships God alone and possesses the spiritual maturity to know that food does not bring us closer to or further from God, there is no issue at an individual level (1 Corinthians 8:8). However, one must be mindful of the people around them (if others are present) so as not to send the wrong message to those who do not know the Word as well. For our conduct can influence a person with less knowledge to sin by not knowing the boundaries of what is and is not sin depending on the situation (1 Corinthians 8:9–11). That is why Jesus warned us not to cause spiritual stumbling to others (Matthew 18:6–7). Moreover, this also applies to us in other contexts (e.g., clothing, alcohol consumption, etc.). Hence the importance of abandoning behaviors that might influence others to sin. Or, at least, if we have the spiritual maturity not to sin in certain practices, not doing them in places where others who lack this maturity can observe. Only in this way can we be responsible enough not to induce others to sin.