Wednesday, July 5 – 1 Corinthians 8
When I was younger in middle school and high school, I heard a lot about peer pressure. I learned to be aware of when others around me may be pressuring me to do something I knew wasn’t right or that I wasn’t comfortable with, and I also learned how important it is to respect other people’s boundaries from encouraging them to participate in something they may feel uncomfortable with. As we look at Paul’s writings, we recognize that he also cares about peer pressure and our actions as Christians toward others. Paul has a large heart and deep concern not only for those who know the Lord but also for the community as a whole – those who are not living as Christians.
In 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul writes, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” During the time of this letter, there would be an obvious dilemma when it came to one’s diet from eating meat that would have been sacrificed to idols – even if the individuals eating it didn’t practice sacrificing animals as a form of worship. Those who practiced their faith knew they had freedom through Jesus’ crucifixion to eat anything… however, that could be a stumbling block or create an atmosphere of pressure for others who did not have the same faith.
As Christians, we are called to love one another, and to respect one another – even those who may disagree with us and those who have different beliefs than us. It is not out of law or duty that Paul says not to eat meat… but out of respect for our brothers and sisters because we do not desire to lead them astray or to put them in a position of guilt or shame in their life.
In 21st-century Western culture, I think it may be fair to say that we don’t have the experience or pressure of eating meat of sacrificed animals… but we do have our own dilemmas that we face every single day that not only affect us but the people around us.
One that comes to mind in my life is around my relationship with alcohol. I have family members who have struggled with alcohol abuse in their life and have faced severe consequences for their actions. I celebrate one family member who has over 10 years of sobriety with joy and love. Although this looks different for everyone and different situations, I am very aware of my alcohol intake around family members or friends who have struggled with alcohol abuse… not because I have felt the same conviction – but out of love and respect for my neighbor because Paul tells us that this love looks like not being a stumbling block for others.
Although my primary experience with this is alcohol, it could be many other things for other people. For example, it could be television time or even gambling. It’s not that these things are inherently wrong, but if someone in your life struggles with setting boundaries, loving them looks like not leading them into temptation.
Questions for reflection:
- What are things that tempt you in life to act out of God’s will for your life?
- What are things you participate in that may tempt others to act out of God’s will or their convictions in their life? How can you create a safe space for yourself and others to be fully present with one another and the Lord in your life?