One controversy troubling the Corinthian church was whether it was acceptable for a Christian to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols, which was commonly sold in the city marketplaces. Mature Christians understand that eating food sacrificed to idols does not affect their relationship with God, because idols are nothing (4, 8). They have freedom in Christ to eat any food God provides!

However, a younger Christian may have a more sensitive conscience and still be struggling to break free from the power of idols. If they see another believer eating food sacrificed to idols, their faith could be damaged (10-11). Though we no longer have meat sacrificed to idols, many of the products in our society arise from idolatry of money, beauty, or power. We need to be aware of the example we set in how we use those things.

In general, mature believers should limit their own freedom for the sake of the weaker ones, out of love. This is the principle that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” It’s easy to become proud if we think we have knowledge; love must always be our first principle.
Application: Father, thank you for the freedom you give us in Christ. Help me use that freedom to build others up.
One Word: Love builds up