Obviously, it is wrong when we have sinned. It is wrong when we have broken the Ten Commandments. It is wrong when there’s something specific in the Bible that says to not do it. But, what about those gray areas? It may not be wrong for you at all. Your conscience may not be bothered. There is no biblical admonition against it. Still, there are areas that we must be careful of even though it is not technically wrong.
The Corinthian church contacted the apostle Paul over such an issue. (1 Corinthian 8) the church asked the apostle Paul if it was wrong to eat the meat from animals sacrificed to idols. This was an important question on two levels. It was very likely that the only source of meat was from the market of animals that were used as sacrifices. To not eat these meats could mean that there was no way to get the nutrition otherwise than from that source. However, the question comes up if eating meat that was from animals sacrificed to idols resulted indirectly in supporting the heathen practice of animal sacrifice to idols. This would be especially important for a person who recently became a Christian and then saw a seasoned Christian eating meat from idols.
What would be the effect on the weaker Christian or the new Christian when he saw this happen. It could very likely present a very confusing example to the young Christian. There could appear to be a contradiction of terms. It could present a picture of hypocrisy. So, what is the answer?
We have on one hand the season Christian that is not bothered by eating such meat versus the newer Christian that is confused, setback by witnessing this. The answer is very simple. If the season Christian has no problem, that he should be allowed to eat the meat. On the other hand, if a new Christian is in the area and witnesses this, the older Christian should withhold himself from such a practice. The issue at hand is not the meat. The issue is how we affect each other. How is our witness being seen by other people. This requires a certain amount of sensitivity on the part of the older Christian. It also demands an expectation that the older Christian maintains an awareness of those who are nearby.
The same principle can be applied in many ways. It is important that we all maintain an awareness of those around us and their spiritual level. We have a responsibility not to present a negative impression to another believer. The apostle Paul himself had the same struggle as he explained that in Romans 7: 19, “for the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” In giving advice to the church in Thessalonica, Paul said, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1Thess. 5:22)
To decide if something is wrong, we must be aware of our surroundings and those in it. We must be sensitive to the new Christian and any witness that we are trying to give to the unbeliever. We must not be stubborn wanting our way that just because something is technically not wrong, it may still not be a good idea to do it.
Christian Writer 