I have had the privilege of travelling in several different countries around the world and I’ve worked with people from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures. They all have their own way of doing things, they have their own customs and practices and their own beliefs. No matter who I’ve been with I have remained a faithful Christian and I’ve endeavoured to honour God in all that I do. I am not distracted by the religion or religious practices of others because I know who my Lord and Master is. For example, I have eaten meat that is considered halal (clean for Muslims to eat) because as Paul points out – that is not going to make any difference to my faith in God (see v.6). I know that eating halal meat doesn’t make me a Muslim.

Paul’s main point here applies to more than just the eating of foods that have been dedicated to a false god. There are many practise that other religions follow that are harmless to us if we know who our God is. But, some who are new to the Christian faith are distracted by the idea that eating foods sacrificed to false gods is a bad thing even now. Paul encourages us to look out for those who find themselves in that place. He encourages us not to do things that might lead them astray but to be sensitive to their place in the great journey of life.

In essence he says, ‘remain true to the Lord your God and don’t lead others into error.’

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Questions:

Have you ever been troubled by the religious practices of people from other faiths? What have you found difficult and how have you reacted?

Prayer:

Lord God, strengthen us to always see what is right and true. Let us never be liked astray by the things we see others doing. Heighten our senses so that we can see when others are struggling with the influences they find around them and grant us wisdom to know what to say and do. Amen.