Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
When it comes to the practice of offering food to the altars of idols, it is not something many of us in the United States will encounter. Yet, there are many other practices in which we know that there is freedom for us to do as followers of Christ that others may see and could cause them to stumble. For these things, we are to be thoughtful. We can all think of stumbling blocks that cause people to stumble and fall away. I have known some that have issues with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. We know that having a drink from time to time is not a sinful act, but it also can become a major issue if it is something one feels they must do regularly and do so to excess. The sin and the issue isn’t the beverage in and of itself but the thirst for it. It would be better never to drink if it meant that friend could be lost forever to the Lord and His salvation. There are segments of the faith that do try to limit what a Christian should eat, and for those strong in their faith, we must not be troubled by them, but for those that are struggling and fighting to cling to the faith in Jesus Christ, we can set aside our own freedom in order to speak the peace of Jesus Christ into their lives. We are not to be overly proud of our freedom and not overly judgmental in our assessment of another’s weakness, but we do all we can to proclaim Christ in all we do and always guide people in His promises.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.