How we handle matters of conscience is our next Corinthian Controversy. Believers have struggled with this problem since the earliest days of the church. While there have been church splits on theological issues, there have perhaps been more separations due to matters of conscience. However, to be complete, some things labeled as matters of conscience are plain old sins.
Paul’s argument is not one compact hit but is spread over three chapters in his letter to the Corinthians. He introduces the problem in chapter eight. “Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people. If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:1–3, NASB 2020) After some discourse on personal freedoms and apostleship, he returns to the topic in 1 Corinthians 10:14-33. We are not reprinting all of the verses in today’s article for obvious reasons.
Paul’s example of whether to eat meat sacrificed to an idol may not apply to you. That has never been done where we live. But the principle of weighing our freedom against another person’s conscience still holds. There are thousands of possible examples in the world around us. Instead of providing specific examples that could get us stuck in the mud, let’s focus on the principle.
I may have the freedom to eat, drink, or do something. But if I’m with someone else and I know that my eating, drinking, or doing would cause them to stumble in their convictions, I also have the freedom to abstain. What is best for the other person? That is Paul’s principle. “All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up. No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24, NASB 2020) That is supremely contrary to the predominant worldview of looking out for number one. Of always doing what is best for yourself. But doing for the benefit of others is the way of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the best example of this principle. God could have wiped us out and started all over again. Instead – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB 2020) Jesus willingly offered himself to save you and me. We are to do the same for others by sometimes laying down our freedom for the sake of someone else’s convictions and conscience.
There are two other considerations. There is a flip side to the principle where we permit someone (without taking offense) to exercise their freedom while we remain convicted about it for ourselves. Discernment is always in order, especially in the second consideration. It is also possible for someone to abuse this principle to either justify sin or manipulate others. Going along to get along is not always the right answer. God’s wisdom is required to discern what is best for the others in view.
Paul concludes, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB 2020) That is the key to this all. Does the exercise of my freedom bring glory to God in some way? Does it build bridges of relationships or build walls of separation? What is best for the other person in view?
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