We’ll need to navigate morally gray issues throughout our lives.
Now concerning food offered to idols…
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
Gray areas can become a battleground for believers.
“...we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
God gives us freedom on many issues.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6
In our freedom, we love God.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
- 1 Corinthians 8:3
In our freedom, we love others.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 8:7-12
Our desire to love should be greater than our desire to exercise personal freedoms.
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
- 1 Corinthians 10:23-24