1 Corinthians 8:9-13 – “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” NKJV

Our personal liberty and the conscience of a weaker brother or sister has always been and will always be an issue in the Church.  How far do we press our liberty before we become a stumbling block for a “weaker brother”?  Is there a time to say, “Grow up and realize that different people have different convictions”?  Is exercising our liberty worth causing another to stumble?  How you answer those questions will determine how you relate to those around you.

There was a time in my Christian walk when I felt that everyone should hold the same convictions (often only opinions) that I did, and if they did not, they were “carnal” at best and “backslidden” at worst.  Most of the time, I considered that the same and was a Pharisee of Pharisees! 

It took God rattling my cage significantly to cause me to rethink my way of thinking and to understand that I am not God’s Fruit Inspector. He can handle that job just fine.  Likewise, I learned, although in my heart I knew it, that most of what I called “convictions” were simply “opinions” and did not have the weight of Scripture.  An opinion is just that and may and should change if new light is brought. 

If God “convicts” your heart over an action, belief, or anything, you should follow what God says implicitly and explicitly.  Yet you must always remember that what God “convicts” you of, He may not convict another.  The roots of that conviction often stem from something within you or the geographic region in which you live and the mindset of those around you.  God will bring conviction to your heart for your benefit, not so you can attempt to impose it on everyone else, which would be what a Pharisee does.

There have been times when I could have done something but knew that those around me would be hindered in their Christian walk if they saw me.  So, in the interest of another, I choose to abstain.  In traveling to other parts of the country and world, I have found many differing views on various things that Christians do or do not do, and sometimes, the dogmatism is so strong that no amount of reason or biblical teaching can break it. 

Unless God brings light to the heart, that person or persons will remain as they are.  Attempting to legislate a particular mindset or lifestyle to them would be futile and brings to mind the old saying: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”  They may yield to your insistence, but their hearts and minds have not truly changed.  You are not God, so why try to be? 

As you go through your day, realize that what you do and say will impact others, so choose your words and deeds carefully; considering another for your liberty is not worth hindering another in their pursuit of GOD and His Grace!

May God be with you as you go through your day!