| 1 Corinthians 8:9 - True Compassion
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV)
by Chris
If you were anything like me when you first got saved you were cautious about everything.
I didn’t want anything to get in the way of my newly designed life in Christ.
I was careful about the places I went, people I talked to, music I listened to, females I engaged with, words I spoke…you get the picture.
I simply didn’t want to fall back into the lifestyle God had just delivered me from. I think my motives were pure but I was so young in my faith that I didn’t quite understand the power of the salvation I just received.
As I grew to know God, my confidence in Him grew and I eased up a bit. My spirit man got stronger so I was able to handle environments that I couldn’t in the beginning stages of my salvation.
For instance, I had to stop listening to rap music because it would take me back to how I used to think when I wasn’t saved. Now when I hear the same music all I hear is ignorance and death.
Everybody goes through this growing process. It is critical that those who have completed the process do not cause others who are going through it to stumble.
Listening to rap music is not a sin. But if someone new to the family of faith sees you do it and gets confused, you should count it as sin.
Furthermore, you should have the compassion to be aware of how your actions may impact others who are new to walking in faith.
Your life is not just about you, what you want to do, and what you can do. It’s about an example you can set that will help guide people to Christ.
That example has to be filled with compassion towards others. Not judging them at their wrong doings or slip ups.
But showing them that you understand because you were there. And that there is nothing you are not willing to give up for the sake of them growing up in Christ.
Lets pray…
“Lord, help me to be more conscious of the effect my actions have on people watching me. Let me not get too caught up in what I can do that I cause my brother to slip. I realize it’s not about me. I receive the freedoms you have given me Lord, but will not exercise them at the expense of causing my brother to stumble. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
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