Slices
Prepare
Think of the people your actions will affect today.
Bible passage
Concerning food sacrificed to idols
8 Now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’ 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
Explore
The church in Corinth had its share of ‘know-alls’, who knew all the answers. The danger of such knowledge is that it leads to SHS: ‘swollen head syndrome’. Better by far is love which nurtures the faith and confidence of others (v 1).
Corinth had many temples for the worship of mythical or pagan gods and idols. The temples also acted as communal eating places. People brought animals to be sacrificed to a particular ‘god’, and afterwards the meat was cooked and eaten. Imagine how torn a new Christian might feel, relishing their new life in Christ, only to be reminded of, and possibly tempted back into, the old murky world of pagan sacrifice every time they had a meal. Some felt they were compromising their obedience to Christ by eating meat that had been sacrificed to an idol.
How could these sincere believers keep a clear conscience? Stronger Christians needed to help them. Not by saying that temple food was harmless (though it was – it was just food, v 8), nor that an idol was nothing (though it was – only the Lord is God, vs 4–6). Better, they, who could eat temple meat with an untroubled conscience, should be prepared to alter their behaviour – perhaps avoiding meat themselves – so as not to trigger confusion for the more sensitive believer (v 13).
Respond
Have you recently had occasion to change your behaviour so as not to trigger a problem of conscience for someone else?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ruth 3,4; Psalm 45
Pray for Scripture Union
The South East regional team give God thanks for all he has done through their Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners over the Easter period. Give thanks for those who have met Christ for the first time and pray that as they begin their journey with him, they will grow in faith and knowledge.
Coming this May – Introduction to Schools Ministry Training.
Designed for those new to schools work, this course is aimed at schools workers and church-based youth and children’s workers – both paid and unpaid.
Join us for a day of free online training to equip and encourage you as you explore schools work in a way that’s relevant for your community.
