Don’t Stumble Over “My Rights”
Read the Text: 1 Corinthians 8
Memorize the Text:
But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.
(1 Corinthians 8:9, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Corinthians 8:9
People often defend their actions with the statement, “this is my right.” This statement exists as not only a defense of one’s actions but also for the declaration of one believing their rights have become imposed upon. The response of seeking to live in the complete freedom of personal rights without the thought of others must not dominate the life of a follower of Christ. The apostle Paul addressed this very issue in 1 Corinthians 8. Though the apostle used the example of meat sacrificed to idols, we could find numerous examples around us concerning the threat of stumbling over our rights. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul warned believers of the temptation that surrounds the issue of personal rights, the possible sin in living out one’s personal rights, and the challenge of living authentically as a believer in the freedom of Christ.
The apostle Paul addressed the TEMPTATION OF PERSONAL RIGHTS. The apostle warned that just because an activity could occur in the freedom of Christ does not mean that one should participate in it if the activity became a stumbling block. Thus, the temptation becomes centered on what the self wants above concern over others. The temptation flows from the same roots as the introduction of sin in the Garden of Eden. This root is pride and seeks to live out what seems to fulfill the ambition and appetites of the self. Thus, the temptation for the believer becomes the desire to live out what we want, what we like, and what we think over the faithfulness of living for God’s kingdom.
The apostle warned believers of the POSSIBLE SINFUL ACTIVITY IN PERSONAL RIGHTS. Paul warned the church in Corinth that if they participated in the consumption of meat presented to idols and that act of eating caused an immature believer or an unbeliever to stumble in their faith or not become a follower. What was “my right” became an act of sin. Though permissible and not sinful, the act became an activity of sin because it caused stumbling. Paul said that if such activity causes them to stumble, it is a sin against them and, consequently, a sin against the Lord.
When we think about the presence of personal rights and sin, what possible activities do we allow to become sin because we live more concerned about our rights than the impact they may have on unbelievers and immature believers. It doesn’t matter because it is sinful because it is selfishness and pride. To say I don’t care again is pride. This sin flows from ignoring the greatest and second greatest commandments of loving the Lord with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength and loving the neighbor as the self. When one lives out “my rights” and does not care about the impact on others, they place themselves above others and the Lord.
Paul challenged believers to LIVE IN THE HARMONY OF THE FREEDOM OF CHRIST AND PERSONAL RIGHTS. Here are three key activities to guard against falling prey to the temptation of personal right. First, we must UNDERSTAND THE DILEMMA. A believer needs to understand the reality of the threat of living for “my right.” A complete understanding sees the temptation and knows the damage that could occur in the life of others. When we acknowledge the dilemma, we take the first step to facing it.
Second, we must DISCERN THE KINGDOM RESPONSE. When we know the dilemma, we understand the importance of seeking how the Lord would desire for us to respond. Just because an activity is not sinful, wrong, or illegal does not mean that the Lord would not have us participate. Instead, we must seek the Lord and desire to know the proper responses to bring glory to the Lord and expand the Kingdom of God. This comes from the understanding that we live as citizens of God’s Kingdom first and foremost. Thus, through study, prayer, and being alone with the Lord, we seek the proper response.
Third, we must SACRIFICE FOR THE KINGDOM. When the desire of the Lord is discerned, it may mean that the Lord expects us to surrender or sacrifice an activity that we have “the right” to participate in for the sake of the Kingdom of God. The act of sacrifice responds to the Lord in worship instead of sin before the Lord. Thus, laying down one’s rights elevates one’s concerns for others and obedience to the Lord above the fulfillment of the self.
Every person battles the “my right” dilemma because everyone deals with pride. We must guard against lessening the threat by minimizing its reality or impact. We must honestly assess our actions and what we participate in to see if we cause others to stumble or place a barrier before them from coming to Christ. We must evaluate and ensure we live for the Lord in our life activities and not just say we follow him. In what areas of your life does pride cause you to defend “your rights” that are the pride of life and sinful as they cause others to stumble or keep others from Christ? What steps toward victory can you start today?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
