By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 8:
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
We must be cautious about obtaining knowledge of a subject because the ego will use that knowledge to belittle others and exalt oneself. This leads to arrogance or becoming “self-important” in one’s eyes. Instead of focusing and excelling in knowledge, let us excel in Love for it builds up others. If we come off as being arrogant toward another person then they tend to reject any wisdom and/or understanding we have to offer. But if we Love that person then they are drawn to us and want to know what we have that is missing in their life. Often a humble heart will help more than a proud mind.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
We know there is only ONE CREATOR and only one Lord Jesus Christ for FATHER has opened our eyes to HIS Wisdom and understanding concerning this mystery of life. Yet we must not belittle those who are blinded by this Truth for our responsibility is to be a light unto them thus providing them the opportunity to see. This is what Love does. We must not beat people over the head with The Word but instead let our lives be The Word unto them. The stronger must minister to the weaker rather than exalt oneself with puffed up knowledge.
Some people use false humility as a subtle means to exalt themselves above others. It is as though they want to entrap the weaker into a snare of ignorance. We must walk in Love so that what we know becomes palatable to those who need to hear FATHER’S Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Love brings forth the skill required.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
The overall point is that we must be sensitive to others in where they are at in their walk. Loves intends no harm to others. Those who are weak have idols which we know have no real existence even though they perceive them as being real and effective in their lives. There are those who abstain from certain foods because of their belief. Do not offend or belittle them but minister Love instead. FATHER knows the key to opening their understanding and will provide you that opportunity if you Love them as HE does. At some point they will enquire about your walk which will provide the opportunity to “enlighten” them and lift them up to a higher state of revelation of FATHER and HIS Most Holy Son Jesus Christ. When they receive this revelation they will shed their idol worship and be set free.