"Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:13
Ask a group of runners about their diets and how they fuel for a long run and you'll likely get many different answers. You'll probably even hear terms like Paleo, Mediterranean, Vegan, Keto, and Vegetarian. And while one athlete might recoil at the thought of going meatless, other runners, like Michael Wardian, who recently fueled a 184-mile run on a vegetarian diet, embrace it. In addition, while a certain way of eating might be good for one person, it may not fill the nutritional needs of another. The key is finding what works for you.
And when it comes to eating things that might work for you and me but might make a "brother stumble," the Bible tells us to avoid them. In Paul's case, this meant not eating meat left over from pagan temple sacrifices. You see, although Paul's conscience was okay with the practice, if it meant triggering a spiritual trap for the weaker believer, Paul wouldn't do it. And you can be sure this practice of abstinence applies to more than just food. It applies to any action you and I do that might cause a brother or sister, especially a new believer, to fall into sin.
So let us be careful not to offend a sensitive or younger Christian by our example but to instead put their needs above ours. After all, as mature Christians, you and I should be helping others grow in their faith not shrink back from it.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we need to be keenly aware of not doing anything that might cause a brother or sister to commit a sin. Help us to love others so much that we put their needs before ours. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen,
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