How should a mature believer treat a younger believer's weak convictions?
The mature believer should bear the infirmities or hang-ups of the weak, including younger believers, and take their weak convictions into consideration so as not to cause them to stumble. Rather than pleasing self, the strong should give in to the weak and please their neighbor for good, unto Christian growth and edification.
Les teaches that those who are strong—believers for years—ought to bear the infirmities or hang-ups of the weak. A younger believer may even be 70 years old but have only been a believer for a few years. The mature believer must take into consideration the weak ideas of that younger believer and not cause him to stumble. Les explains that we are to give in to the infirmities of the weak, not to please ourselves, but to please the person next to us. Every one of us should please his neighbor for his good to edification, that is, to his growth in the Christian life. Les then points to Christ as the primary example: even Christ pleased not Himself; He died because He loved mankind and to settle the sin problem. He could have rejected it, but He chose the cross to purchase our salvation.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
More Questions
Should believers yield to the weak rather than please themselves?
Believers are to give in to the infirmities of the weak instead of pleasing themselves, pleasing the person next to them.
Who is responsible for bearing the infirmities of weaker believers in Romans 15?
Mature believers are the ones who ought to bear the infirmities or hang-ups of younger believers rather than please themselves.
Should believers give in to the infirmities of the weak instead of pleasing themselves?
Believers are to give in to the infirmities of the weak and not merely please themselves, but instead please the person next to them.