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Priscilla: Romans 14:13-23
Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather judge this, not to put a stumbling-block or an offense toward a brother.

14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing by itself is common; except to the one deeming anything to be common, it is common.

15 But if your brother is grieved because of your food, you no longer walk according to love. Do not by your food destroy that one for whom Christ died.

16 Then do not let your good be spoken evil of.

17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For the one serving Christ in these things is pleasing to God, and approved by men.

19 So then let us pursue the things of peace, and the things for building up one another.

20 Do not by your food undo the work of God. Truly, all things are clean, but it is bad to the man who eats through a stumbling-block.

21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is weak.

22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Blessed is the one not condemning himself in what he approves.

23 But the one doubting, if he eats, he has been condemned, because it is not of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my beloved Father, today I offer You my reflection on Romans 14:13-23 about not causing those with weak faith to stumble.

Dear God, I understand verses 13 and 14 to mean that Paul knew and believed that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for someone who considers it to be unclean. This means that believers today are not required to abstain from meat from animals considered unclean in the Old Testament, as You have made them clean and good for human consumption.

Dear God, I understand verse 15 to mean that Paul advised believers with knowledge not to eat food that used to be considered unclean in front of those with weak faith, as they might not understand or believe that You have made those foods clean. We should not cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble because of food. Doing so is a lack of love and empathy towards those with a weaker faith. Whoever causes someone else to stumble because of food has done evil and is responsible for the offense they have caused to their brothers and sisters.

Dear God, I understand verse 16 to mean that those who have faith in Christ do not need to abstain from any kind of food, as Christ’s death has sanctified them and made all food clean. However, those with knowledge should not use their knowledge to cause offense to those who do not have the same knowledge. This could lead to their knowledge being spoken against.

Dear God, I understand verses 17-20 to mean that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, died on the cross to redeem sinners, and established the Kingdom of God. Food is not what brings us closer to God; whether we eat or not, we do not gain or lose anything. Therefore, believers should not let food cause weaker brothers and sisters to fall away from the faith and be destroyed.

I understand that everything believers do should be done for the glory of God, out of love, and should be beneficial, edifying, and done in righteousness, without causing others to stumble or sin. We should not seek our own good, but the good of others, and follow the example of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. The people of God should do everything as if they were doing it for God, driven by love. All actions must be useful, constructive, and done with justice without causing others to stumble or commit sin. They should not act for their own benefit but for the benefit of others. This will bring harmony, peace, joy, encouragement, and self-improvement to the Church and its members. Those who serve Christ in this way are pleasing to God and accepted by humanity.

Dear God, I understand verses 21-23 to mean that, as a member of God’s people, everything I do should be done for God. Therefore, if eating meat or drinking wine causes those who are weak in faith and do not deeply understand the Word of God to stumble, I should not do it. Even though those actions are not wrong, they do not help, build up, or glorify God. Moreover, everything that the people of God do must be done in faith and in the name of God. If they are unsure whether what they are doing is right or wrong but still do it, they commit a sin, for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Dear Father, please help me to rely on Your mercy and the Eternal Living Word of God to examine myself every day. Please help me to live in a way that pleases You, through the power of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Father. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
04/10/2023