Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

Romans 14: 13-16

Living as a disciple of Jesus considers the needs of others and includes avoiding participating in something that might cause another follower to stumble. In the passage above, Paul uses a real-life question of his day surrounding the issue of certain foods. Paul states that no food is off limits, but some others may be offended by the idea of certain foods.

So, what do you do? Insist on your freedom to eat what you want or consider that another person might be offended as you share a meal? I remember two separate conversations over the last couple of months that involved a matter of Christian conscience similar to Paul’s example and I think this passage should have a great impact on our choices.

Other believers are watching how we lead our lives and we have a responsibility to others. Paul said that we should “not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (Romans 14: 20-21).

Instead, we should “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14: 19). How can we do just that today?