Gray Areas 8

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Hopefully, you have read the first seven entries in this series. It all goes together. But this verse emphasizes another attitude I should have in everything I do. I am not to judge anyone else. I am not to criticize them, judge them, look down on them, feel superior to them, etc.

Instead, I am to judge that I do not want to be a stumbling block in my brother's life. I do not want to cause him to fall.

Simply put, that means that there are things that I can do and have full liberty to do, but maybe I shouldn't. Or if I do them, I should be careful when and where I do them. They are not wrong in and of themselves, but younger Christians might be offended, and some might even fall into sin.

This verse may anger many who want freedom to live and do as they please. They and Cain say they are not responsible for their brother and are not his keeper. But the Holy Spirit is clear. Some things are legitimate that I might not should do.

It is not a question of whether or not it is right or wrong but how it will be perceived and affect others.

Some people were very vehemently opposed to eating meat previously offered to idols. Paul would rather not hurt his brother than enjoy his liberty.

Are you mature enough to realize that what you do affects others? Are you willing to restrain yourself from what you can legitimately do for the good of others?

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