A believer should refrain from the action to avoid causing the weaker believer to stumble.
Les Feldick teaches that even if a practice is permissible for a mature believer, it should be given up if it would trouble a weaker believer's conscience. This restraint continues until the weaker believer can understand the action is not wrong. The priority is the spiritual well-being of the weaker brother over personal liberty.
1 Corinthians 8:13 — Paul explicitly says he will not eat meat if it causes his brother to offend, directly addressing the question.
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of eating meat offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8. He acknowledges that an idol is nothing and that meat itself is not affected, but he warns that this liberty must not become a stumbling block to the weak. He says, 'But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak' (1 Corinthians 8:9). And if a weaker believer sees someone with knowledge eating in the idol's temple, their weak conscience may be emboldened to eat, leading to their perishing (1 Corinthians 8:10-11). Paul concludes, 'Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend' (1 Corinthians 8:13). Similarly, in Romans 14, Paul instructs to receive the weak in faith without doubtful disputation, and he emphasizes not to cause a brother to stumble (Romans 14:1, 13).
Les Feldick teaches that a mature believer should be willing to limit their liberty for the sake of a weaker believer. He illustrates this with the example of eating meat offered to idols, where Paul could eat without issue, but if a weak believer was troubled, Paul would refrain. Les applies this principle to modern life, saying that if something bothers a weaker believer, the stronger believer should not do it for that person's sake. He emphasizes that the goal is to avoid wounding the weak conscience, which would be sinning against Christ. Les also notes that this restraint is temporary until the weaker believer matures in understanding.
A weak believer is someone who is relatively new in the faith or has a more sensitive conscience about certain practices. Les Feldick explains that a weak believer may be troubled by things like eating meat that might have been offered to idols, and may even become a vegetarian over such convictions. The weak believer is not to be argued with but received into fellowship without doubtful disputation.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul was willing to give up meat entirely if it would cause a weaker brother to stumble. He said, 'I will eat no flesh while the world standeth.' Les applies this to modern situations, saying that if a practice, even if permissible, would upset a weaker believer, the mature believer should refrain from it for that brother's sake.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that while a believer may have liberty in doubtful matters, that liberty must be exercised carefully so as not to become a stumbling block. The Bible never demands vegetarianism, but if eating meat causes a weaker believer to stumble, then for his sake, the stronger believer should abstain.
Why Did God Entrust Romans to a Woman? Romans 14-16 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Wounding the Weak Conscience
Les warns that wounding the weak conscience is a sin against Christ, emphasizing the seriousness of causing a weak brother to stumble.
Liberty as a Stumbling Block
Les explains that a mature Christian can eat meat without harm, but if a young believer is troubled by it, Paul says to refrain for his sake.
Paul's Example of Self-Restraint
Les quotes Paul's vow to never eat meat if it offends a brother, and connects it to the principle of not causing a weaker believer to stumble.
Defining the Weak Believer
Les identifies the weak believer as one who may have scruples about eating meat, and instructs not to argue with them but to receive them.
Applying the Principle Today
Les applies the principle to situations with unbelievers and weaker believers, saying to reject meat for their sake to show a difference.
Willing to Give Up a Practice
Les reiterates Paul's willingness to become a vegetarian if it would prevent a weaker believer from stumbling.
Romans 6:7-12 — Can a Believer Still Sin After Being Set Free?
And see, the implications from Scripture is choose to be a Spirit-filled believer and not a fleshly-minded believer. Still both believers. All right, read on. So let not old Adam, verse 12, therefore reign, and I'm going to keep putting it in here until it rings like a bell. Don't let him reign like a king in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.
1 Corinthians 8:9: But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
This verse warns that even legitimate liberty can become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:10: 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;
This illustrates how a stronger believer's actions can embolden a weaker believer to act against their conscience.
1 Corinthians 8:11: And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
This shows the severe consequence of causing a weak brother to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:12: But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
This emphasizes that wounding a weak conscience is a sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:13: Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
This is Paul's personal commitment to abstain for the sake of a weak brother.
Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
This instructs believers to accept the weak without arguing over disputable matters.
Les Feldick teaches that eating meat offered to idols is not inherently a sin, as the idol is nothing. However, if doing so causes a weaker believer to stumble, then it becomes a sin because you wound their conscience.
You should consider the conscience of other believers. If you know that a particular action, even if permissible, would trouble or confuse a weaker believer, you should refrain from it for their sake, as Paul did with meat.
Les Feldick indicates that this restraint continues until the weaker believer reaches a point of understanding that the action was not necessarily wrong. It is for their sake, not forever.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did God Entrust Romans to a Woman? Romans 14-16 Explained