'The exercise our liberty
The exercise our liberty
We should keep watch over our words and deeds, not only in their intent and purpose — but also in their possible influence over others. There may be liberties which in us lead to no danger — but which to others with less stable character and less helpful environments, would be full of peril.
It is part of our duty, to think of these weaker ones and of the influence of our example in upon them.
We may not do anything our liberty, which might possibly harm others. We must be willing to forego the exercise our liberty , if by its exercise we another's soul.
This is the teaching of Paul in the words:
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?
So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall!" 1 Corinthians 8:9-13