RIGHT vs. WRONG?

I Corinthians 8

1. One thing that you will quickly find among Christians is that not everyone

agrees on what is right and what is wrong. For one, the matter may be black and

white, and to another it may be gray. One may feel that a person should not go

to a certain place, whereas another sees nothing wrong with it. One may feel

that doing a certain thing is wrong, while another sees nothing wrong in doing

it.

2. The same was true in the Church at Corinth. There was a matter in which some

felt very strongly, while others thought nothing about it at all. It had to

do with meat that had been offered to idols.

3. The Corinthian society was very polytheistic (the worship of many gods). They

had a god for just about anything you could imagine. There was a god of love, a

god of war, a god for travel, etc.

4. Involved in this polytheistic society were the sacrifices offered to these

gods. These sacrifices were for the purposes of appeasing their gods and finding

favor with the gods.

5. Many times, the offerings made to these gods consisted of meat. The offering

was divided into three parts. One part was burned on the altar, another part was

given as payment to the priests who served at the temple of these gods, and the

one who made the offering kept the remaining part.

6. Because of the large number of offerings, the priests took in more than they

needed and often sold it in the marketplace. This meat was highly valued and was

often served at social events.

7. There were some in the Corinthian Church who felt it was wrong to eat such

meat because it had been dedicated to a pagan god. On the other hand, there were

those in Church that said it was just meat and there was nothing wrong with

eating it.

8. Which was right? Was it wrong to eat such meat? Was it okay to eat such meat? Again, each had their own opinion. “Which was right?”, was the question Paul begins to answer in chapter 8.

9. In our day we are not worried about whether or not we should eat meat

dedicated to idols. We don't have to worry about going to Publix and having to

decide which meat is Grade-A or Idol-D …as in…(Dedicated). But we are faced with the same situation in other issues. For some, going to action-adventure movies, women wearing makeup or having short hair, playing poker or other cards, drinking beer or wine in moderation, etc., are wrong and sinful. Yet for others, there is nothing wrong with these things.

10. How do we determine what is right and what is wrong when the Bible does not

specifically say so? In chapter 8 Paul gives us 3 principles to help us

decide in areas that are not black and white, but gray. These 3 Principles are my Three Points:

1. IS IT SCRIPTURALLY DENIED?

2. IS IT SPIRITUALLY DISCOURAGING?

3. IS IT SOCIALLY DAMAGING?

1. IS IT SCRIPTURALLY DENIED?

(READ Verses 1 through 8)

1. The first principle is turning to God's Word and seeing if God has anything

specific to say about the matter. In verses 1-7 Paul uses a form of the word "know" 8 times. He is placing great emphasis on something that is known or can be known. The knowledge that He refers to is a knowledge given by God's Word.

A. A KNOWLEDGE THAT INFORMS.

1. There were some in the Corinthian Church who felt they had superior knowledge

when it came to the things of God and therefore Paul said in verse 1, "we know

that we all possess knowledge."

2. He warned about the danger of knowledge that it could make one prideful

instead of humble (Vs.1b). If we are not careful, our spiritual knowledge

can go to the head instead of the heart. We probably all have met Brothers or Sisters with big heads instead of big hearts.

3. But as Paul discusses this knowledge, he speaks of how this knowledge is

spiritually informative. He speaks of those who have grown spiritually and

learned certain truths about the matter before them.

4. For one thing, this knowledge had informed them that there was nothing to an

idol (V4). ["nothing" = nonentity] An idol is not a him or her, but an it.

Idols are not living personalities, but inanimate objects made of wood, stone,

or metal. Idols are nothing more than an image reflecting the imagination of the

one who designed it. Idols are not gods but only called gods (Vs.5).

5. Furthermore, this knowledge had informed them that there was only God

(Vs.5). This knowledge had also informed them that this one God was the

Father, the One who created all things, and the Savior (Vs.6).

6. Because there is but one God and there is nothing to idols, some had come to

an understanding that the meat was nothing more than meat. The knowledge they

had, helped them to understand there would be nothing wrong with eating the meat.

7. Paul is reminding us that it is by God's Word that we learn about God and

what He demands, decrees, and desires. It is by God's Word that we come to an

understanding of what is right and wrong. The Bible is our guide to determine

what is right and wrong.

8. In the US, Washington is not the final authority on what is right and what is wrong. The Bible is! Our moral guidelines are not determined by polls but by the Bible. Our moral guidelines are not determined by resolutions passed on the House or Senate floor, but by what God says in His Word.

9. Therefore, the first principle we should apply to any matter is, "What does

God say about it?" Is there a clear denial of the practice or procedure in the

Bible? Has God clearly said that is wrong?

B. A KNOWLEDGE THAT INCREASES.

1. [ Vs.2] … To those that thought they were superior in knowledge, Paul

reminds them that there is still much that one can learn. Remember when Job’s friend Elihu said: “So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words." Proverbs 20:15 says: “Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” In verse 2 of 1st Corinthians, chapter 8, God said that those who think they know all things, in reality don't know as much as they think they do. We must Increase our knowledge.

2. When it comes to spiritual knowledge, there is always room to learn more. In

fact, one will never know all that there is to know. The knowledge of the ways

of God and the Word of God is one that should be constantly increasing.

3. That is why it is important to spend time in God's Word each day. We need to

know what God says about matters and the only way we can know by continually

increasing our knowledge of what He says in His Word.

4. Once we increase our knowledge from studying the Bible, we can much more easily apply my first point to any situation: Is it Scripturally denied?

2. IS IT SPIRITUALLY DISCOURAGING?

(Read verse 7)

1. [Vs.7a] … Whereas some had matured in their spiritual knowledge and had

come to the understanding that there would be nothing wrong in eating such meat,

there were some that were not as mature and had not come to such an

understanding.

2. In light of those that were weaker, Paul gives us another principle to help

us to determine what is right and wrong. It is a principle that involves other

people.

3. In verse 1 Paul states that knowledge could make one cocky but love will make

one compassionate (Vs. 1).

3. [Vs.3] … A love for God is expressed in and through a person. It is

evident in their life, for one that loves God also loves what God loves. That

which God loves above all else is people, and a person who loves God will love

others.

4. It is such a love for others that gives basis to the second principle Paul

gives. When a person loves God, which in return leads to a love for others, a

person does not always do what he wants to do or what he can do, but what he

ought to do. A love for God means that one is not only willing to give to Him but also to give up for Him.

5. One who loves others will ask:

A. DOES IT HURT A WEAKER BROTHER?

1. [ Vs. 7] … There were some brothers in the Corinthian church who had been saved that once were pagan worshippers and felt strongly about having any association with their past life. To them eating meat offered to idols was participating in pagan worship. To them it would have been a sin.

2. It is possible that in their lack of knowledge they knew that God was the

right God, but did not understand that He was the only real God. Therefore to eat such meat was once again being a part of pagan worship.

3. To eat such meat, their "conscience being weak, is defiled." ["Defiled" =

polluted] A defiled or polluted conscience is one filled with guilt. It was shown by Paul that to eat the meat was not a sin, but to a weak person it was, and it left them feeling guilty and dirty if they did so.

4. Paul's point was that certain things may not be a sin, and would not be wrong

for a believer to do, but it may not be best for him to do it, in light of how

it could hurt a weaker brother. Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Does it HURT a weaker brother?

B. DOES IT HINDER A WEAKER BROTHER?

(Read Verses 8 through 9)

1. [ Vs.8-9] … Paul says that eating meat has nothing to do with one's

relationship to God. The pagan worshippers felt that such offerings would bring

them favor and to eat such meat brought them closer to their gods. But again,

Paul says eating such meat means nothing to our relationship with God.

2. But whereas, it would not be wrong to eat such meat, there were those who

felt differently and to do so could be a hindrance to their Christian life

(Vs.9).

3. ["Stumbling-block" = speaks of putting a stone in a path that would cause a

person to trip or fall.] Paul was saying that it might not be wrong to eat such

meat, but doing so could discourage and cause a weaker Christian to fall.

4. The principle Paul gives us reminds us that the Christian life is not a

private matter. There are some things that might not be wrong for a Christian to

do and some places that might not be wrong for a Christian to go, but the real

issue is not "can we" but "should we."

5. I have been a Disciple for only a few years, and a Bible talk leader for only about 3 years. But early on, especially after being a Bible Talk leader, I decided that there was certain things my family and I would not do and certain places we would not go. Some of these things I do not feel would be wrong for me to do and some of the places would not be wrong for me to go. However, as a Bible Talk Leader, I knew that some would not think anything about it, but for others it could be offensive. Therefore the decision was made.

6. I could have said, "I have freedom in Christ and it is not a sin, so I don't

care what others think." But I do care whether or not I hurt or hinder other

people and therefore chose do what I should, and not what I could.

7. When it comes to questionable areas, one test to apply is whether or not it

will hurt or hinder others in their Christian life.

3. IS IT SOCIALLY DAMAGING?

(Read Verses 10 through 13)

1. The third and final principle we find is in verses 10-13 and it has to do

with what people see in YOUR life as a Christian. [ Vs. 10a "if anyone with a week conscience sees you."] The issue is, how will it affect my evangelism about Jesus?

A. NOT BEING A CHRISTIAN ALL THE TIME CAN HURT YOUR EVANGELISM.

1. It is my opinion that Paul is not only talking about Christians but lost

people as well. He uses the phrase "if anyone." It is not just the saved, but

the lost as well. It is any man (or woman).

2. Although he uses the word "brother" in verse 11, he also speaks of that person being "destroyed." The word is very strong and is most often used in the sense of being separated from God. Paul no doubt has other Christians in mind, but I believe that he mostly thinking of those that are unsaved.

3. The scenario that he describes is not just a Christian eating such meat, but

going to guild meetings or social gatherings that occurred in the pagan temples.

Paul asks, "What if someone saw you eating in there? What would they think?" What if someone today saw you in the “Hooters’” Restaurant…what would they think? What if someone saw you at a fraternity party where beer and women were plentiful….what would they think? What if someone saw you going to Catholic Mass with your relatives, what would they think? (What would your RELATIVES think? What if one of the women in the church went to a bachelorette party where a male stripper jumped out of a cake…what would others think?

4. Paul says in verse 10 that it could "embolden" others to do the same.

["Embolden" = "to build a house.] The idea is that it could promote a

behavior to progress that might be unwholesome for that individual.

5. What kind of behavior could it promote? [ Vs.11] It could make others

think less of your faith which would lead to them taking lightly their need of your faith.

6. [ Vs.12] To be a bad example for Christ is a serious thing. To be the cause of someone going to hell is serious.

7. There are some things that might not be wrong in themselves to do, but the

issue is, what will non-believers think. Whether you realize it or not, this

world still thinks of Christians being different. There are some things they

would not think of a Christian doing or some places they would not expect to see

a Christian.

8. Can you imagine a pagan worshipper in Corinth seeing someone who had turned

their back on pagan worship attending an event at a pagan temple. I can imagine

the first thing that would go through his mind would be, "What's he doing here."

You can see how this simple act could hurt.

9. A principle to apply to questionable things is how will it affect what people see in you as a Christian.

B. WHAT PEOPLE SEE IN YOU IS IMPORTANT.

1. [ Vs.13] … Paul had made the decision that he would not eat such meat for

fear it would hurt his influence and following. The honest appearance of his Christian life was important, and he wanted to keep a good it that way so as to influence both believers and non-believers.

2. Sometimes simple things like the clothes you wear, tell a lot about your life as a Christian. It’s one thing to be ‘hip’ so that you can ‘be all things to all people”, but it is a different thing to be so outrageously dressed that both Christian and non-Christians wonder what world you are from. Again, I am not saying it is wrong, but sometimes it can lead weak disciples down the wrong path, or even turn away some non-disciples eager to find God. Right or Wrong? You will have to decide, based upon lots of parameters. Do you wear dirty clothes? Do you wear ripped or torn ones? How about the t-shirts some of you wear? A sin? Maybe not, but sometimes, MAY be!!!!! Just because a t-shirt doesn’t have four letter words, doesn’t mean it is sending the wrong message. I have an old t-shirt that I used to wear publicly. Not any more! On the front, in big letters, it says: “I’ll Have a Nice Day, When I Am Good and Ready.” NOT, something a Christian would want to display to others.

SUMMARY

When it comes to the gray areas of the Christian life, we should ask:

1) Is it Scripturally denied,

2) 2) Is it Spiritually discouraging, and

3) 3) Is it Socially damaging?