Be sensitive to conscience

I Corinthians 8:7–13
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The word conscience is used 32 times in the New Testament, and it plays a big part in what we do or what we do not do in life. It is that part of us that either approves or condemns our actions. It is not necessarily governed by law but depends on knowledge. Therefore, the more spiritual knowledge we have and act upon, the stronger the conscience will become. The conscience of a weak Christian is easily defiled (v. 7), wounded (v. 12), and offended (v. 13).

Some who have not been a Christian for very long may have a weak conscience because they have not had time to grow. Others do not grow because they ignore their Bibles and opportunities to learn under sound teaching. However, some remain weak because they are afraid of the freedom they have in Christ. Warren Wiersbe says, “They are like a child old enough to go to school but are afraid to leave home and must be taken to school each day by their mother.”

It seems that Paul may have been faced with a combination of all the above. As ridiculous as it may seem, there were some who still thought that heathen gods were real beings. The big question was how the stronger brothers should react to this. Paul makes it plain that if the weaker brother thinks something is wrong and you cause him to go against his conscience and do it, that is sin (v. 12). Therefore, the stronger brother must be willing to limit himself for the sake of the weaker.  

It is love and not knowledge that motivates a person to do this. Where knowledge is balanced by love, the strong Christian will have a ministry to the weak Christian. Christian freedom does not mean that anything goes. Neither does it mean that our salvation is determined by good works or legalistic rules but by the free will of God. We need to be careful not to offend a sensitive or younger Christian. When we love others, our freedom should be less important.

Application

It has been said, “Knowledge must be mixed with love, otherwise the saints will end up with big heads instead of enlarged hearts.” Lord, help me to have a big heart and not a big head.