Day 18: 8:1-13 (Knowledge Guided by Love: Caring for the Weak)

The balance of knowledge and love: Love should guide knowledge. Knowledge without love is useless. Even in matters where we have freedom to act, we must be careful not to cause offense or lead our weaker brothers into sin. Each person's faith should be used to build up the community, prioritizing the well-being of our brothers and sisters above all else.

1. SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 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.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 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. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?  11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

2. OBSERVATIONS :
a.  What did this passage mean to its original audience? 
In Corinth, much of the meat sold in markets had been offered to idols. Some believers, understanding that idols were false, felt free to eat it. Others, who had previously worshiped idols, felt that eating such meat was wrong and connected to their old life.
This caused division. The “strong” believers believed they were right. And they were — theologically. But Paul corrected them. He told them that love must guide knowledge. Christian freedom is real, but it must be exercised with care. Protecting a brother or sister’s faith is more important than proving we are correct.
Paul shifts the focus from “What am I free to do?” to “What builds up the church?”

b. What does this passage reveal about God?

• God values Love over Knowledge and pride (v. 1).
• God is the only true God (v. 6).
• God cares deeply about every believer (v. 11).

c. What does this passage reveal about people?

• People like to feel “right” and “smart.” Some in Corinth, they used their knowledge in a proud way.
• People can hurt others without meaning to, by using their freedom carelessly.
• We are all at different stages of faith. Not everyone in the church is at the same level of spiritual maturity.

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?

• In today's world, we are taught that "Knowledge is Power" and "Individual Freedom" is the highest right. Our culture tells us, "If you know you're right, don't let anyone stop you." But this passage completely flips that thinking. It shows me that having all the right answers is useless if I don't have love (v. 1). I realize that my attitude needs to shift from "Am I right?" to "Am I being loving?" One’s spiritual maturity should be measured by how much they are willing to limit my own freedom for the sake of someone else's faith. 
• So, I will stop looking down on those who have different "rules" than I do. I will also be patient with those who are at a different stage of spiritual maturity. Instead of acting superior with my "knowledge," I will use my actions to make them feel safe and encouraged in the church.

4. PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that I live in a culture that worships knowledge and personal freedom. I often care more about being 'right' and feeling 'smart' than I do about being kind. Forgive me for the times I’ve used my freedom carelessly and hurt others without even realizing it.
Please change my heart. Help me to remember that every person in my church is someone 'for whom Christ died'. Give me the grace to put my rights down so that I can lift my brothers and sisters up. Teach me to walk in a way that reflects Your love, so that I never sin against You by wounding the conscience of another. May my life be a gift to Your community today.

 In Jesus’ name, Amen."