We have previously discussed the type of meats laid out on the tables before us in the Two Tables thread. One type of meat that is good coming only from God, and the other type of meat that is rancid and a danger to our Spiritual health. The main reason for this was to get us to start looking at the Spiritual aspects of meat when pertaining to what is found in Gods Word.
Let's take a look at 1 Corinthians 8, keeping in mind that meat which is good comes from God, and can only be found in the study of His Word through Christ.
Meat that is offered to idols would be the study of other religions, such as witchcraft, buddhism, mysticism, etc...
1 Corinthians 8:1-8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 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. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 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. 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. 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.
The previous scriptures tell us that those who already have the knowledge of God will not be harmed by eating the meat offered to idols (study of other religions). Why is that? Because they know the truth and wont be swayed by what another religion teaches. Those who have yet to receive the knowledge of God will only become confused by it.
How do we gain this knowledge of God that we need? By the study of Gods Word! I think Gerry made some very good points on this in his Time to Grow Up thread.
Let's read on and look at how we ourselves may be standing in sin if we dine on this other type of meat, and it should cause a brother or sister to become confused and lose faith.
1 Corinthians 8:9-11 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 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; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Who is it that is weak? The new Christians, those who are just starting to learn to follow Gods ways.
If those who are strong in faith, sit before the weaker brothers and sisters in Christ, dining with others who carry false teachings then they are placing a stumblingblock before the weaker brothers and sisters. The weaker will see the strong doing this, and start doing the same, then they'll become confused by feeding from things that do not come from God, but from worldly teachings instead.
1 Corinthians 8:12-13 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
We are indeed are standing in sin when we bring before our younger brothers and sisters in Christ who have not yet been grounded in the truth, false teachings of any kind. May we learn why it's better for us not to partake in such things at all, out of love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we should not cause them to stumble and fall.
Psalms 141:3-4 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Here's an example of how we might be guilty of this sin.
We might invite a new Christian into our home, one that's not completely grounded in Gods Word yet. Then we bring out a book on witchcraft to study for whatever reason, this would be showing them there's nothing wrong with learning about something that's evil. But if they aren't grounded in the truth yet, and we make them feel it's ok to study other things as well as Gods Word they'll only become quickly confused by all the different teachings.
Please feel free to add any other examples you can think of that may serve as a stumblingblock to our new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let's take a look at 1 Corinthians 8, keeping in mind that meat which is good comes from God, and can only be found in the study of His Word through Christ.
Meat that is offered to idols would be the study of other religions, such as witchcraft, buddhism, mysticism, etc...
1 Corinthians 8:1-8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 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. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 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. 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. 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.
The previous scriptures tell us that those who already have the knowledge of God will not be harmed by eating the meat offered to idols (study of other religions). Why is that? Because they know the truth and wont be swayed by what another religion teaches. Those who have yet to receive the knowledge of God will only become confused by it.
How do we gain this knowledge of God that we need? By the study of Gods Word! I think Gerry made some very good points on this in his Time to Grow Up thread.
Let's read on and look at how we ourselves may be standing in sin if we dine on this other type of meat, and it should cause a brother or sister to become confused and lose faith.
1 Corinthians 8:9-11 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 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; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Who is it that is weak? The new Christians, those who are just starting to learn to follow Gods ways.
If those who are strong in faith, sit before the weaker brothers and sisters in Christ, dining with others who carry false teachings then they are placing a stumblingblock before the weaker brothers and sisters. The weaker will see the strong doing this, and start doing the same, then they'll become confused by feeding from things that do not come from God, but from worldly teachings instead.
1 Corinthians 8:12-13 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
We are indeed are standing in sin when we bring before our younger brothers and sisters in Christ who have not yet been grounded in the truth, false teachings of any kind. May we learn why it's better for us not to partake in such things at all, out of love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we should not cause them to stumble and fall.
Psalms 141:3-4 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Here's an example of how we might be guilty of this sin.
We might invite a new Christian into our home, one that's not completely grounded in Gods Word yet. Then we bring out a book on witchcraft to study for whatever reason, this would be showing them there's nothing wrong with learning about something that's evil. But if they aren't grounded in the truth yet, and we make them feel it's ok to study other things as well as Gods Word they'll only become quickly confused by all the different teachings.
Please feel free to add any other examples you can think of that may serve as a stumblingblock to our new brothers and sisters in Christ.