Romans 14:15-16 (NLT)

“And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.”

Not everything we believe is good is good. There are things we believe is good for us, but could be detrimental and harmful to others around us. Even if we feel convinced by God that something we are doing is not sinful, it may be an obstacle to the believer watching us. We may have acquired grace to do some things without it affecting us, but our brethren may not yet have this grace. Insisting on doing what you feel convinced is right, irrespective of how it affects others around you, is selfish, inconsiderate and arrogant.

We are meant to look out for one another. Don’t only think of yourself. Always ask that vital question: “Is this thing going to negatively affect my brethren around me?” If the answer is “Yes,” then you must not do that thing, even though it is perfectly legitimate and spiritually acceptable to do it. We must not let our spiritual freedom make another to stumble. If someone needs to make a sacrifice, we should be the ones. We should go the extra mile to ensure that our convictions do not lead others away from Christ. Be considerate. Be sensitive. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you will be “criticized for doing something you believe is good.” To believe something is good is good. To act on that belief to the detriment of others is not good.

“Lord, may I never live my life only by my convictions. May I live my life in the consciousness that my good could be bad to someone else. Make me always considerate of my brethren. In Jesus name. Amen.”