Watch Your Walk

There are activities from which I refrain by choice. These activities while not defined as sin may be considered to be sin by weak believers. As strong believers we need to watch our step as we journey through this world. Many are watching your every action not to judge you but to find guidance for their own lives. When we allow activities in our lives that are questionable in regard to whether it is sin or not, we risk the chance of causing another to stumble or fall from grace.

Jesus addressed this as he taught it would be better to have a mill stone tied around your neck and be thrown in a lake than it would be to make a believer stumble (sin). The comments appear to be addressed to the strong believer in relation to the weak believer. A new (weak) believer is just learning and finding his way while a strong believer is secure in their faith with superior knowledge.

A new believer is turning from sin, they are just leaving the world and the worldly lifestyle remains attractive to them. For this reason, scripture teaches that we should be in the world but not of the world. Believers are to be separate from the world. When a weak believer witnesses a mature believer engaging in questionable activities they begin to think they too can participate in such activities. The danger is when the activity is one which the weak believer has been delivered from such as alcoholism and believes it to be sin.

Many in the church believe alcohol in moderation is not an issue in the Christian life. I personally feel this is a poor interpretation of scripture. Regardless a mature believer consuming alcohol can be a stumbling block to the weaker believer. Paul in 1 Corinthians 8 addresses this, 9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer[b] for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers[c] by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. The reference here is eating meat offered to idols however, I believe it relates well to questionable practices.

My argument is not whether alcohol is sinful or not. Drunkenness is a sin. The point I am illustrating is that of participating in activities that will cause a weak believer to stumble. You can argue what is sin and what is not all day long. If it is perceived as sin and you sin against a weak believer encouraging them to continue the practice you are sinning against Christ.

Is the activity so important to you to cause another to falter? Paul pledged to abstain from the activity for the remainder of his life. Can you bring honor to God by doing the same? Paul wrote, Philippians 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. Let us as believers with “superior knowledge” be examples for the weak causing none to stumble.