Christian Liberty J.R. Miller
We should keep watch over our words and deeds, not only in
their intent and purpose, but also in their possible influence
over others. There may be liberties which
lead to no danger for us, but which to others with less stable
character and less wholesome environments would be full of
peril. It is part of our duty to think
of these weaker ones and of the influence of our example upon
them. We may not do anything in our
liberty which might possibly harm others. We must be willing
to sacrifice our liberty if by its exercise we endanger another
soul. This is the teaching of Holy
Scripture. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace
and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14.19 Do
not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is
clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone
else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat
or drink wine, or to do anything else that will cause your brother
to fall. Romans 14 20 and 21. Be careful, however, that the
exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block
to the weak, for if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who
have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be
emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this
weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge,
When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes
my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again,
so that I will not cause him to fall. 1 Corinthians 8 9-13
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me,
but not all things edify. Nobody should seek his own good,
but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10, 23, 24