Devotions: When Freedom is Harmful

 

But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 8:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

Because we are no longer under the Law, that is saved by the Law or what we do, but under grace, so we are saved by the grace of God, we have certain freedoms in how we behave and what we do. We don’t have to watch our actions quite as closely or legalistically. Yet with this freedom comes a warning, because some may not understand. Not everyone is in the same place spiritually, some may not know what our freedoms are. Some may come from a past where our freedoms would be a temptation to return to a former, harmful way of life. Some may have experienced abuse so that our freedoms would offend them. We need to take these things into consideration before we live out our freedom. It is important to seek God’s guidance on whether we can and should act on the freedom we hold, and seek wisdom in what situations that freedom may actually work as bondage to others. It is more important to do what is best for others, than to live in freedom ourselves. We are not saved by what we do, but if we live in selfishness, vying for what is our right and freedom to do to the detriment of others we are still sinning. We cannot take the freedom at face value and run with it simply because we have the freedom to do so. We have the freedom to follow sin if we choose but that doesn’t make it right. First, we must ask God what is right, what freedoms it is alright for us to take, and what ones it would be better for us to put off. All too easily our freedoms can become snares for others and even for ourselves, idols that we desire more than God and worship at the expense of others. Things that are arbitrary and unharmful in themselves can become addictions, which will then pull us away from God. The greatest two commands, the summary of all the Law, is to love God and love others. We are to put God and others first, above ourselves and our rights and freedoms. If we are not willing to give up our freedoms to honor God or to prevent another from stumbling then we are living in sin and selfishness. Check your heart. Is what you are doing for yourself, or have you considered if it will hurt others or your witness to them? Does it honor God, is He ok with you doing it? Are you willing to consider these things and forgo your freedom if that is what God wants you to do?