November 12, 2018
Do Not Destroy Due to Difference of Opinion.
Romans 14:20–21
Michelle Ball
Central Truth
The work of God is salvation to all who BELIEVE in His Son, not to all who follow their own opinions. We need to build upon His work with love and compassion, not destroy His work with judgment and pride.
Romans 14:20–21
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 1 14:21 Some manuscripts add or be hindered or be weakened
Dive Deeper | Romans 14:20–21
I am a mother. It does not define me, but it is a role with which the Lord has blessed me. And oh, the pressure. Pressure to raise my children not just to believe in Jesus as their Savior, but to make Him LORD over their lives. Pressure to demonstrate how to function in society as a respectable human being who loves others above myself.
Part of living in today's society is learning how to navigate the waters of conflict. Everyone has an opinion, and many are passionately defensive of those opinions—including parents. To spank or not to spank? To homeschool or send to public school? To date or court? To allow bikinis or only allow one-pieces? It expands beyond parenting decisions to topics like tattoos, boycotting movies, the Paleo and vegan movements, and so on. Differences of opinion often spur conflict—sometimes even causing friendships to cease. However, that should NOT be—especially among believers.
Jesus told His disciples the night before His crucifixion, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) In our passage today, Paul uses food as an example since it was a source of conflict at the time among believers holding to previous Gentile and Jewish customs.
Listed above are modern-day examples of conflict, which can still include food. Is it loving to cook a roast for a vegan who is passionate about animal rights? Is it loving to bring a bottle of wine to a recovering alcoholic's party? What about mom-shaming over discipline practices or choosing not to vaccinate? No. It is not loving. It is judgmental. We each should be fully convinced in our own minds (Romans 14:5) about what is permissible and not judging of others' convictions.
Romans 14:20 reiterates Romans 14:15 (with emphasis added), where Paul says, "For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died." Do not destroy others with your opinions, but commune with them according to Christ's unconditional love.
This month's memory verse
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
– Romans 13:14
Discussion Questions
1. If you have experienced conflict with a friend over a difference of opinion, how could you have approached it in a more loving way? For help with conflict resolution, utilize the Watermark Conflict Field Guide.
2. What other Scripture can you find that addresses personal conviction or what God allows?
3. What Scripture has the Lord given you to battle temptations you face personally?
4. How can you love your family and friends better in ways specific to the things that cause them to stumble?