But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9
Obstacles often get in the pathway of a person causing one to stumble. It is difficult to walk on a pathway that is filled with obstacles that block an easy passage. One has to constantly be turning to the right and left or stepping over something to get to one’s desired destination. If there are enough obstacles in the pathway, many will choose to give up going down the path and go in a completely different direction, giving up their desired destination.
After talking about physical idols being nothing, Paul tells the Corinthian believers to be careful to not allow their liberty in Christ to become a stumbling block to those who are still weak.
Freedom is something that everyone likes. People love to be able to do whatever they want with no rules or exceptions attached to it. It is common for people to take their freedom so far that they end up harming other people.
While God has laid down many rules and regulations on how to live life, He has also given believers freedom in living life. This freedom will often look somewhat different for each person, depending on one’s experience and learning. What God allows in one’s life may not be allowed for someone else. This is due to one still learning and growing in the Lord.
One, who has learned what can be done, must not use that against others who have not learned it. They do not want to become a stumbling block, causing others to walk away from God out of confusion.
Believers must live in their freedom, but not at the expense of others. Building others up in the Lord should take priority over personal freedoms.
There are some things that you have learned that other believers have not yet learned. God has strengthened you to be able to walk on a different level than others. Some of those ways of walking can become a stumbling block to others who have not learned it also. Be careful that you do not hold on to your freedom so much that you cause other newer believers to stumble. Be willing to give up a little freedom so that others can be built up in the Lord and in His ways.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the freedom you have in Jesus; that you will not abuse the freedom God has given you; that God will reveal how your freedoms may harm others; and that you will build others up in the Lord.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
