Don’t Go Back To Legalism

My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:3-5

We must never be a stumbling block to the weak in faith. But at the same time, you must not allow people to abuse this principle and lure you back into legalism. Usually, the line of reasoning goes like this: “If others don’t like whatever you do, then you shouldn’t do it.” So if people don’t like your speaking in tongues, eating out in a restaurant, or liking certain fashion wear, you should stop doing them.

Then even Jesus Himself couldn’t measure up to that standard! Jesus constantly offended people. He offended the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath, by going to parties, and by mixing with the “sinners.” If Jesus always had to worry about not upsetting people, He would have been paralyzed by the fear of men. The truth is that you will always find someone who disagrees with your personal tastes and preferences.

Many people often use the phrase “stumbling block” as a coverup for two problems they have—jealousy and envy. While the Bible teaches us not to allow our freedom to become a stumbling block, it never says that if someone has a difference of opinion from you about something you like, you have to immediately stop liking it. That is surrendering your freedom in favor of legalism. You are letting other people control your life!

What really is a “stumbling block?” A stumbling block is any word or action that will cause another Christian to fall back into a former sinful lifestyle. It does not refer to words or actions that people disagree with or don’t approve of. A stumbling block causes a weaker Christian to sin against his own conscience.

Some legalistic people were trying to lay a guilt trip on Paul. From 1 Corinthians 9:1-13, they labeled Paul’s lifestyle as a preacher a “stumbling block.” Paul retorted that he had done nothing to be ashamed of. He said, “I have my rights but in certain situations, I limit them. But don’t expect me to limit them all the time. When I’m not with the weak, I don’t have to act like the weak. When I’m not with legalists, I don’t worry about my own freedom. But in every situation, I do show regard to the people around me.”

Is that being hypocritical? No, not at all. That is being loving and showing concern for other people’s feelings. That is saying: “I wouldn’t do anything that would cause you to stumble in your conscience.” But when it comes to amoral issues like my personal tastes and preferences, I am not going to stop liking whatever I like just to appease my critics.