Knowing that an idol is not a god at all, and knowing that there is no food that can interfere with my Christian life, it would be easy to conclude that there are no constraints on me. Paul points out that weak Christians may not be aware of these things, and that it is the strong who must yield their position for the sake of the weak.
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." (I Corinthians 8:9-13)
My knowledge can become a stumbling block to others. It is my responsibility not to act in such a way as to cause others to be drawn into sin. As a strong Christian, it is my job to teach others God's way, patiently recognizing the weaknesses of others, and giving up my liberty for their benefit. Destroying another's faith by my actions is wrong.
Today, there are those who say it is wrong to celebrate Christmas or Easter, or to eat certain foods, or to dress a certain way. Some of these issues are addressed in Romans 14. Notice that Paul says that those with the most restrictive position are the weak ones.
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:1-8)
The strong are not to make issues of these things. Each person is responsible to God for his actions, and we are not to judge others, whether they do these things or don't do them. Both may be doing it to please God. Notice that this is for things that God has not given specific directions about. It is not talking about the things God has commanded us to separate ourselves from. It is sin for us to condemn a Christian for celebrating or not celebrating a particular holiday or eating certain foods. He is free to choose not to do this as part of his worship of God, or he can give praise to God for allowing him to do it. He has that freedom.
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Romans 14:11-23)
We are not to allow our stance on any point that is not specifically directed by God to become a stumbling block to others. If I believe I am strong, I must yield to the weaker brother. I cannot impose my standards on him, nor can I allow myself to be offended by his weakness. Doing so shows my lack of love, and thus my unspiritual state. Only a perfect person has the right to demand perfection from others. Christ, our example, was perfect, and does not demand it of us. As Romans 15:1 tells us, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
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