Romans 14:13-21
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Our actions affect others, and we are called to show love to others through our actions. A practical expression of that love can be refraining from certain actions that may be "a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother" (verse 13). In this chapter Paul talks particularly about food differences that might cause someone to stumble, but in our sexualized culture certainly some modes of dress or entertainment choices may cause others to stumble. You may not be bothered by the sexual innuendo in a movie, but it may cause someone else to stumble. You may want to dress a certain way just because it's comfortable and fashionable, but that may cause someone else to stumble. One might argue that it isn't fair to restrict one's freedom because of other people's weakness, but what is really more important, your freedom or the faith of others? As Paul says, "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble" (verse 21).
Heavenly Father, forgive me for times when I've only cared about myself. Help me to not cause others to stumble.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Our actions affect others, and we are called to show love to others through our actions. A practical expression of that love can be refraining from certain actions that may be "a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother" (verse 13). In this chapter Paul talks particularly about food differences that might cause someone to stumble, but in our sexualized culture certainly some modes of dress or entertainment choices may cause others to stumble. You may not be bothered by the sexual innuendo in a movie, but it may cause someone else to stumble. You may want to dress a certain way just because it's comfortable and fashionable, but that may cause someone else to stumble. One might argue that it isn't fair to restrict one's freedom because of other people's weakness, but what is really more important, your freedom or the faith of others? As Paul says, "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble" (verse 21).
Heavenly Father, forgive me for times when I've only cared about myself. Help me to not cause others to stumble.