1 Corinthians_8
Scripture
1 Corinthians 8:1b
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Observation - What does it say?
The Corinthian Christ-followers had been struggling with what to do regarding things scripture wasn’t clear about. Can you eat meat that’s been sacrificed to an idol? To some it seemed wrong, as if they would be somehow participating in this idol worship. To others it seemed fine because in their hearts they knew they only worshiped the one true God. Paul sets the stage for how to handle these situations: in love.
Understanding - What does it mean?
As Christ-followers, we should be most concerned with building others up in love.
Sometimes it’s better to refrain from doing something you believe to be acceptable, for the sake of other believers who have different convictions. Romans 14 goes into more detail on these issues Scripture isn't explicitly clear about, saying that we must follow our convictions. If we are convinced something is wrong but do it anyway, we sin. If another person is convinced the same thing is acceptable and they do it, it isn't sin for them.
So the point is, we should love others enough to refrain from doing what we're free to do, if doing it will embolden them to join you and sin. For us, maybe it's not considering not eating meat sacrificed to idols, but refraining from watching the rated R movie or drinking alcohol when believers who see problem with those things are present.
Life Application