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Have the actions of another Christian been a stumbling block that somehow detoured your walk with the Lord? Have YOU ever been the cause of another’s stumbling? Today we are reminded how Christians should direct others to follow Jesus rather than detour them away from Him.

Some Christians were quick to quote another Corinthian slogan - “we all have knowledge”, implying that the Christian should KNOW better than to think this food was sacrificed to real gods, because all other gods are false.

This is true, and Christians need to have this knowledge, but knowledge doesn’t always lead to love. 

• Knowledge often puffs up because of how much a person knows. 
• Instead of only pursuing knowledge that puffs up ourselves, we should pursue love that builds up others. 

God wants us to grow in knowledge and love.

• Knowledge without love breeds arrogance.
• Love without knowledge breeds ignorance.

Christianity is more than intellectual knowledge - WHAT you know. Christianity is about relational knowledge - WHO you know…and WHO knows you - it’s about loving God and and being known by Him.

While Corinthian culture recognizing many different gods, the Scriptures had long taught that there is only ONE Creator, Provider, Redeemer, and Judge.

Yahweh is GOD and there is none other. Never has been. Never will be.

Yet God’s people had a long history of following false gods, even during the time of Moses when God showed His incredible power. Isaiah and the Psalms speak of the silliness of making false gods.

The Scriptures affirm angelic authorities (spiritual god-like authorities - see Eph 6:11-12) and earthly lords (e.g. kings, governors, spiritual leaders). But there is only one God and one Lord over all - God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the text implying that the Father is God, but not Lord? NOPE. Is Paul trying to say that Jesus is Lord, but not God? NOPE. In fact, it does the opposite. The Jewish Shema, recited & repeated in every day prayer, says:

Is there a separation between LORD and God? NOPE! The LORD (Yahweh in Hebrew) is GOD. He is ONE.   When the New Testament writers translate “Yahweh” [LORD] from Deut 6:4-5, they use “kyrios”.

Paul uses kyrios referring to Jesus as Lord - in all his writings, including in the passage we are studying today. God is ONE - Father, Son, & Spirit (see Mt 28:19). 

• Learn about the TRI-UNITY of God, go watch this teaching called “Is the Trinity TRUE?” 

Check out the teaching, "Is the Trinity TRUE?".

If we eat food sacrificed to a false god, and we KNOW there are no other gods, then it’s just food - not UNCLEAN food. But eating this food could become a stumbling block to the weak brother or sister who doesn’t know better.

If a believer went to a wedding in a temple to a false god, and ate food offered to idols, the young believer who sees the more mature believer participating might think it’s okay to go to those temples, sacrifice to those false gods, and eat that food - while believing the false gods to be real (false knowledge). The mature Christian who has knowledge can ruin the weak person who doesn’t have the same knowledge. A mature Christian should be careful not to cause this kind of confusion.

Mature believers of our day still participate in things that can cause confusion to younger believers.

What about drinking alcohol? Are we causing any confusion?

• Consider avoiding alcohol altogether, but certainly in public.

What about eating certain foods that others say should be avoided as UNCLEAN FOODS? Confusion?

• Don’t eat that food in their presence. Have more discussion about the truths of Scripture.

What about watching movies or tv shows? Are we confusing our children or a Christian friend?

• Limit the movies & TV you allow into your home. 
• VIDANGEL.com $10 online service using NETFLIX, AMAZON, and other streaming accounts - filters out bad language, sex scenes, and nudity.

Why be so concerned about this? 

• We should do our best to direct people TO JESUS rather than detour them away from Him.

Detouring people AWAY from Jesus?

1. We should never lead younger, weaker believers to do something that IS wrong, something Jesus says we should NOT do. Jesus warns it would be better to tie a millstone around the neck and be drown in the sea rather than causing a younger believer to stumble (Lk 17:1-2).
2. We should never lead people to do what they believe is wrong, , even if it’s not Biblically wrong.

Check out Vidangel.com. ($10 a month - filters language and sexual stuff OUT!)

Need Some Help?

• A follower of Jesus, but you don’t know where to start? Ask a mature believer for some help. Check out our Groups on Sunday 10am or Wed Night Guys/Ladies Group 6:30pm. 
• NOT yet a follower of Jesus, and you have questions? Ask us or another real follower of Jesus.

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

discussionquestions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? Explain your answer.
2. Without giving names, share about a time when another believer was a stumbling block to your faith?     Why is it so important that WE do all we can to make sure not to cause another brother/sister to stumble?
3. Read 1 Cor. 8:1-11. Knowledge without love is arrogance and love without knowledge is ignorance. Explain how this is the case. Why is it important for Christians to have both knowledge and love? How might the mature Christian lovingly help the younger Christian grow in knowledge?
4. Read 1 Cor. 8:12-13 & Rom 14:21. If we sin against a brother/sister by wounding their conscience, who else are we sinning against, and why should that concern us? What was Paul’s response to keep him from sinning against a brother/sister? Can you share a time when you or someone else limited your freedom in order to help someone else’s faith? 
5. What are some freedoms/rights that Jesus laid down in order to come from heaven to earth and build us up?
6. What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about?
7. Share prayer needs and pray for one another. Continue to pray for our Supreme Court decision on Roe v Wade. Pray for Christians in Ukraine and Russia to carry the message of Jesus with them wherever they go. Also, PRAY that God will greatly use us to impact people who need to follow Jesus.