1 Corinthians 10:27-29 “If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. (28) But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness." (29) "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?”
It is important for the church to walk in righteousness in this world. All too often however, the church compromises on righteousness and the reason given is because they do not want to offend people in the world. Sadly however, when the church does compromise they become complicit in the overall decline of morality in the societies in which they live. The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul explains that concept to us in the above quoted passage of scripture, for in this example He teaches us that if a believer is presented with food that has been offered to idols that the saint must refuse to eat it, and the reason given is so that the unbeliever’s conscience can then convict him of the sinfulness of eating food that is offered to idols. However if the believer chooses to eat the food presented, so that he doesn’t offend the unbeliever, he in effect weakens that unbeliever’s conscience because he thus endorses the unbeliever’s actions. And so this same principle applies to every aspect of sinful practices that the world indulges in. When Christians compromise godly principles it encourages moral decline in societies because the unbelievers consciences are further weakened. However, when Christians refuse to compromise their godly lifestyles it has a positive effect on morality in society because the consciences of the unbelievers are strengthened thus convicting them of their sinful practices.
Michael E.B. Maher
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