Pastor Chuck Swindoll used this example to illustrate what Paul was teaching the Corinthians in chapter 8.

“You meet a younger Christian at church, you strike up a friendship, and suddenly you realize this person really looks up to you for spiritual guidance. You detect right away that this person has not been discipled well. They don’t have the signs of mature knowledge. You are a well-tuned marathon runner; your new friend is just getting into jogging. Paul refers to such a person as a weaker brother in the faith. Do you slow your pace to help this believer develop or pass him off to somebody else more at that level?”

What is Christian freedom? The Corinthian Church raised the question. They wanted to know if they could eat food that came from animals that had been sacrificed to idols. They wondered if this would be practicing idolatry. Paul taught them it wouldn’t harm or cause them to sin because of their love for God.

1 Corinthians 8 – Stumbling Block

The more significant issue was the way this action would look to new or immature Christians who had previously practiced idol worship. When exercising Christian freedom, Paul wanted them to know their actions could hurt an immature believer’s faith. They might question their faith or revert to habitual sins from their past by seeing a mature believer exercising their freedom in Christ.

 The Kingdom Coach and Athlete show spiritual maturity by avoiding behavior that isn’t inherently sinful but might hinder another believer’s spiritual growth. They refuse to exercise their Christian liberty to practice Jesus’ love (John 13:34).

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of workings, but the same God who works everything in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

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