Don't Be a Stumbling Block

Don’t Be a Stumbling Block

Sunbury GMC 11/29/2023

Scripture Lesson

I Corinthians 8

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? [1]

I Corinthians 10

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [2]

The Problem

We read from a letter Paul wrote to one of the Churches that He had started on his missionary travels. This one is to the church at Corinth. In Corinth, an argument had arisen in the Church. The City of Corinth was a wicked and pagan place. The city of Corinth was known as one of the most wicked cities in the ancient world. Calling someone a Corinthian was an insult and was calling that person one of very loose morality. It was the ancient equivalent of Las Vegas, but worse. Part of all the immorality was the rampant idol worship in Corinth. Their worship practices were evil, wicked and twisted. It was so bad that almost all the meat in the city had been offered to Idols.

This became a point of contention for the Corinthian church. Some felt that since the idols were not real Gods, just false representations of nothing, it was perfectly fine to eat the meat. However, others felt that since the meat was offered to idols it was contaminated and full of evil. They felt that eating it was almost like participating in the idol worship themselves. The verses that we read were Paul’s address to this problem.

The Solution

Paul explained that since idols were not real Gods, it was well within a Christians liberty to eat the meat. However, he also explained how putting a stumbling block, or confusing another believer, or causing them to fail in their Christian walk by doing things they believe to be wrong and thus causing them to act in ways that they believe to be wrong, is wrong. That was a confusing sentence so lets try to break that down. Scripture tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin, or when we do something that we believe to be wrong it is sin, whether or not the action itself is wrong. God looks on the heart, He sees the disobedience or obedience of the heart behind each action and it is by this standard we are judged. In Corinth some Christians found no issue eating meat offered to false Gods, some found it to be wrong. If at the example and encouragement these “weaker conscience” brothers at this meat it would not have been done of faith. Though there was nothing wrong with the eating of meat for many this had become a stumbling block because of the attitude of their heart as well as a poor witness to non-believers. Paul gave them a practical solution to their problem, for Paul understood that not everyone would agree with him.

Paul explained a simple solution, do not ask where the meat came from. However, he further explained that if they knew it was meat offered to idols not to eat it. Not for their sakes, because they understood that there was nothing wrong with it, but for the sake of those looking on. The ones watching would think that these Christians were supporting idolatry and thus receive what Paul called a stumbling block, a hindrance to their walk with God.

What That Means to You

Let’s make it a little more modern. I do not think we have issues with meat offered to idols. So what does this mean to you and I? We all know people more, or less strict in their Christian walk than us. Our church itself is a diverse collection of Christians. We all seem to have a little different opinions on the balance between Christian liberty and what is contained in the Law of Love which we must obey. How do we live in such a context? Paul tells us not to do things that offend others around them. Does that we all should live as the most strict among us? Not necessarily however it dos mean do not do things that is going to confuse them and hinder their walk with God. I am not going to go into specifics; however, I want to explain the principle for this and another place we find this idea in scripture.

Today, sayings like “follow your heart,” “do what make you happy,” “Take care of number one first,” and many sayings are common. They say make yourself happy, do not worry about others. Do what makes you feel good. These are purely anti-Biblical. In fact, the Bible says the opposite. This passage teaches us the opposite. During His life and teaching Jesus explained how all rules and regulations, all the law and prophets, all that God desires of us can be summed up in two simple sentences. “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”[3]

Everything is wrapped up in those two phrases. I did not see worrying about ourselves in those sentences. Love God, Love others. Part of loving others means do not put stumbling blocks in their way. In fact, everything you do, according to the scripture lesson and the two great commandments, should be dependent on what shows love to God, and what shows love to others. Not what we want, not exclusively what we believe to be right or wrong. No, primarily it is about what God says is right or wrong, secondly its about doing what is best for those around us. We are not part of the equation. Our own feelings, and preferences do not really matter according to this biblical equation.

Now this sounds like a miserable life and it may sound like we are living to please others. It is not a miserable lfe, In fact, it is happy life filled with joy and fulfilment. It is not a life based around pleasing others. By taking them into consideration in your every day decisions you are not living to please them, but rather to please God and fulfill the Law of Love. I am not saying how we live is determined by what others think, but rather that what others think is part of the Biblical equation in decision making. This can be taken much too far, and done in a wrong manner. I cannot tell you how to perfectly balance this in your life but the old Jesus, Others, You JOY really holds up. God must come first in all decisions, but to fulfill the Law of Love and have a joyful life, others come before ourselves. You know those mottos, those statements that I mentioned the world lives by? Look around you, are they enjoying themselves? Are they happy following their own plans and wishes, are they happy putting themselves first? No. I believe there are at least Two reasons. 1st: We do not really know what we want. We can think we do, but once we get it we find out we were wrong. 2nd: God designed to us receive the most joy, and happiness out of serving Him first, and others next, and ourselves last of all. If you live by the two great commandments, Love God with all that you are, and love others as yourself, you will find joy on this earth, peace in your soul, and finally, a home in heaven.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 8:4–11). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 10:23–31). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mt 22:37–40). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.