In The Word
Read: Romans 14
Principles of Conscience
14 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow,
And every tongue will give praise to God.”
12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 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 who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Today the Word teaches us about personal convictions. A personal conviction is something given specifically by the Holy Spirit to an individual to participate or not to participate in with someone or something. Paul was specifically dealing with certain things that people were eating and drinking. He instructed those who ate all things not to judge others who felt they couldn’t eat certain foods. This principle remains true today as well.
As an example, there are some people today who have personal convictions not to have social media, not to watch any movies except Christian movies, not to shop at certain stores, etc. Those who have these convictions shouldn’t look at those who don’t have them as any different and vice versa. Paul also puts an emphasis on the idea that we should not let ourselves become a stumbling block for others as well. If something we are doing around someone is truly a hindrance for another, then we should look for ways to make peace and build them up. Jesus taught that we should consider others greater than ourselves.
Personal convictions, in my opinion, are ways for our all-knowing Father to protect us as individuals. He knows everything about each of us and can see things we can’t even see. So the Holy Spirit brings us personal convictions to protect us in areas that, if not applied, could cause us pain or even stumbling in our lives. Today take heed to pay attention to those areas the Holy Spirit is speaking to you on. Remember: He works for your good, so trust Him today and each day.