1C. Why do I say caution? Because Paul has advised us to "take heed" of the effects of our behavior on other people.

2C. You see, although it might be a popular concept in our society to disregard the effects that our behavior might have on the lives of others, it is also a wicked concept.

3C. It was Cain who asked, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" And when someone behaves as though the answer to Cain’s question is "No," or when they disregard the effect their life has on others, they are manifesting the spirit of Cain.

4C. We need to understand that everyone is a leader and an example to someone. Therefore, take heed. Take precautions to make sure that your example to others is not a harmful one.

1C. If you have a Bible with marginal references and notes, you may have indication that power is synonymous with liberty, in this verse. And that is so, since liberty is power.

2C. Liberty is the power to set a good example. It’s the power to demonstrate responsible Christian living.

3C. But liberty can be abused. It can lead weaker Christians into sins of omission and sins of commission.

4C. For example: By not doing what could be done, you may deny a new Christian the good example he really needs to start his Christian life off properly. I thank God that I had the example of a friend who sought the conversion of others after I trusted Christ.

5C. Another example would be doing something that might appear to be wrong to a baby Christian, just as Paul mentions in this context. Trying to feed bacon to a newly converted orthodox Jewish person, or eating pork in front of someone who has just come to Christ from the Muslim faith, would fit into this category. Do such a thing and you misuse your liberty.

6C. The principle, you see, is undergirded by love. Because you love your baby brothers in Christ, you want to set the example for them that will help them, not trip them up or confuse them.

7C. That’s the pertinent principle.

1C. My Christian friend, you are on display. And everything you will ever do or say will be seen or heard by someone.

2C. So, you go ahead and do something that you know is right, knowing that a brother with a weak conscience will think it’s wrong. Or, you go ahead and talk about that stuff that singes the ears of a baby Christian.

3C. You know what? Even though the Christian with a weak conscience thinks what you are doing is wrong, he will still go ahead and do what you do. And even though he thinks your speech is improper, he will still begin to speak as you speak.

4C. And why will he do that which he thinks is wrong? You did it. "But he should have his eyes on Christ and not man." Wonderful sentiment. True. Just as my Sarah ought to worship the unseen God in spirit and in truth. But she sees her daddy.

5C. We are on display, Christians. That creates responsibility.

1C. See what knowledge without love accomplishes?

2C. You know it’s okay to eat that meat. Your brother in Christ doesn’t, but eats anyway.

3C. Or, you go out to eat and you see that Mahi Mahi is on the menu. And the menu tells you that your favorite fish is dipped in a beer batter and then deep fried. Now, you know that the deep frying cooks off any trace of alcohol, but your newly saved friend can’t get past the fact that the food is prepared with beer. But, since you ordered it he orders it.

4C. Know what you have just done? You have just caused your brother in Christ, for whom Jesus died, to perish.

5C. This doesn’t mean he will die or go to Hell, but he will suffer guilt. He will be discouraged. Hey, he may even stop serving Christ as a result of his remorse and feelings of inadequacy.

6C. And all of this because you didn’t think or didn’t care how your actions might affect another believer.

7C. Matthew 18.1-6: "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

8C. Ask yourself, "I wonder how many little Christians I have offended with my ‘liberty,’ a dropping of my personal standards, my license?"

9C. Have you ever wondered how a casual recline by the pool affects your kids or your neighbors, who think you ought to be attending Bible study on Wednesday? Or how about a family get together, when some are aware that the rest of the Church you belong to attends services at this same time every Sunday night?

10C. What damage we do when we exhibit behavior that others will follow, creating a sense of guilt and failure in their heart.

"But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ."

1C. Think about the implications of this passage. When we fail to account for others and this happens, we sin against them. And when we sin against them we sin against Christ.

2C. What a price the thoughtless believer pays for knowledge without love. Amen?

3C. And think about this: If I do something that is not sin when I am alone, or in the presence of a mature Christian, that same act may be sinful in the presence of a believer with a weak conscience. Think about it.

4C. Folks, we need realize that liberty is not complete freedom. With liberty, you see, goes a heavy burden of responsibility for the consequences of our actions in the lives of other people.

1C. Paul anticipates the effects of misused liberty. He isn’t some starry eyed idealist. Paul knew the facts of life.

2C. He knew, by revelation, that some of the things that you and I do can be perceived as sinful by weak Christians.

3C. We need to acknowledge that possibility ourselves.

"I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

1C. Accommodate the weaker brother. Be a servant to the one who is not as well informed, who is not as mature, as you are.

2C. And, my friends, I am of the opinion that the strength of your personal commitment to Christ will, in part, be seen in the strength of your commitment to respond properly to the brother with a weak conscience.

1C. The motive is really love. The truth of proper practice is balanced by Christian charity.

2C. The result? You will do what you are able to meet their need. And part of that involves helping them to not violate their own conscience . . . committing sin in the process.