Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 8:7-13.
“7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.
9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:7-13.
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We are reminded of yesterday’s Scripture. “… Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” 1 Corinthians 8:1. We may know that we have the liberty to do certain things, but that knowledge alone should not dictate that we do that certain thing. Rather, we should be led by love.
“But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.” See verse 8 above. Likewise, there are many other things for which we have liberty that “will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do” those things.
We should be led by love. “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” See verse 13 above.
How do we know whether our considered liberty will cause our brother to stumble? Moreover, even though we do have liberty, how do we know whether our considered liberty is best for us?
But, there is hope!
God will guide us!
Psalm 23:3
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Psalm 31:3
“For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”
“For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”
Psalm 48:14
“For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”
“For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”
Psalm 73:24
“With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.”
“With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.”
Psalm 78:52
“But He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;”
“But He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;”
Isaiah 58:11
“And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
“And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
John 16:13
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
Psalm 32:8-11 provides a fitting conclusion and encouragement.
“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 