1 Corinthians 10:28-29 KJV
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
The Apostle has set up a very real scenario; one I have been witness to many times. A person is invited to an event and, for one reason or another, believes he needs to accept. But by attending he exposes himself to any number of things that are contrary to his Christian sensibilities
Now, this Christian finds himself in an uncomfortable position. He does not want to offend his host but he also knows he should not be party to what is taking place. Paul's lesson is that of priorities. Paul said it would be better to hurt this host's feelings and offend him than it would be to wound this man's conscience by doing wrong. The offense will soon fade but the conscience, so negatively impressed may never heal.
Note that it is the conscience of the other and not one's own conscience that is of concern. This is not a matter of being able to justify yourself and salve your conscience. This is an issue of impressing on the soul another soul man that our Scriptural convictions are not as important as our desire to please him. To place the truths of God below the feelings of men is to teach that these are merely preferences and thus have no true merit.
During the darks ages Christians were martyred they say by the millions. But they also say that the numbers of Christians continued to rise. Every time a Christian died for his faith the consciences of those who witnessed it was impressed with truth so powerful these people would die rather than spare their lives by denying them. We dare not reverse that profession with a shallow excuse of not wanting to hurt someone's feelings.
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
The Apostle has set up a very real scenario; one I have been witness to many times. A person is invited to an event and, for one reason or another, believes he needs to accept. But by attending he exposes himself to any number of things that are contrary to his Christian sensibilities
- They may be drinking alcohol (or drinking excessively)
- They may be gambling
- They may be using language that is inappropriate
Now, this Christian finds himself in an uncomfortable position. He does not want to offend his host but he also knows he should not be party to what is taking place. Paul's lesson is that of priorities. Paul said it would be better to hurt this host's feelings and offend him than it would be to wound this man's conscience by doing wrong. The offense will soon fade but the conscience, so negatively impressed may never heal.
Note that it is the conscience of the other and not one's own conscience that is of concern. This is not a matter of being able to justify yourself and salve your conscience. This is an issue of impressing on the soul another soul man that our Scriptural convictions are not as important as our desire to please him. To place the truths of God below the feelings of men is to teach that these are merely preferences and thus have no true merit.
During the darks ages Christians were martyred they say by the millions. But they also say that the numbers of Christians continued to rise. Every time a Christian died for his faith the consciences of those who witnessed it was impressed with truth so powerful these people would die rather than spare their lives by denying them. We dare not reverse that profession with a shallow excuse of not wanting to hurt someone's feelings.
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