Romans 14
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
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Comments by Joan Boney:
Sadly, some people speak up on secular matters and hurt the "brother" in Christ by his own secular preferences, where really there is no good nor bad, no right or wrong, but only a personal preference.
We can do a lot of damage through "preferences" where there is no right nor wrong, but simply what we think.
We might have preferences in music and have a tendency to look down on those who enjoy what seems "lesser" quality of music than we prefer. That is wrong of us if we do that, unless the music is vulgar in words, then of course we cannot approve that which is vulgar.
We might have pride in apparel and look down on person who wears something we consider to be inferior taste in apparel. As long as our clothing is modest, it is acceptable with God and that is all that should matter.
We might have preferences in music and have a tendency to look down on those who enjoy what seems "lesser" quality of music than we prefer. That is wrong of us if we do that, unless the music is vulgar in words, then of course we cannot approve that which is vulgar.
We might have pride in apparel and look down on person who wears something we consider to be inferior taste in apparel. As long as our clothing is modest, it is acceptable with God and that is all that should matter.
We fail to walk in charity when we speak wrongly hurting another person by our preferences.
I think the above scripture (Romans 14:15) warns us not to do this.
For example: A church going woman once told me the color of the walls in my bathroom was the wrong color. As long as I lived in that house, I thought of her words when I went into that bathroom. I believe her words were damaging without cause. (And when we have been damaged this way, we must turn to God, praying for HIM to restore us and make us whole again.)
Most of us have strong preferences in various things of this present world. I know I have done this in the past. But I am learning not to speak of such for it can cause harm to the other person without cause. It is not a spiritual matter but a secular preference. When it is a spiritual matter that is another consideration. Then often God will have us speak.
My cousin told me this story: Her neighbor invited her to his home for a cookout. She dressed in blue jeans. When she got to his home, she found they were going to have a wedding. He and his male roommate were getting married. My cousin was so embarrassed in the way she was dressed.
I told my cousin, I would not have been concerned at my apparel at such a thing. As soon as I learned it was a wedding of homosexuals, I would have fled.
Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
But we must be careful about thinking ill of someone when their secular preferences are not compatible with our preferences. We would not want to hurt that person over our own pride.
For example: A church going woman once told me the color of the walls in my bathroom was the wrong color. As long as I lived in that house, I thought of her words when I went into that bathroom. I believe her words were damaging without cause. (And when we have been damaged this way, we must turn to God, praying for HIM to restore us and make us whole again.)
Most of us have strong preferences in various things of this present world. I know I have done this in the past. But I am learning not to speak of such for it can cause harm to the other person without cause. It is not a spiritual matter but a secular preference. When it is a spiritual matter that is another consideration. Then often God will have us speak.
My cousin told me this story: Her neighbor invited her to his home for a cookout. She dressed in blue jeans. When she got to his home, she found they were going to have a wedding. He and his male roommate were getting married. My cousin was so embarrassed in the way she was dressed.
I told my cousin, I would not have been concerned at my apparel at such a thing. As soon as I learned it was a wedding of homosexuals, I would have fled.
Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
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But we must be careful about thinking ill of someone when their secular preferences are not compatible with our preferences. We would not want to hurt that person over our own pride.
Godly correction is important. But personal statements of correction based on pride or fleshly preferences of man or human education or training, when there is no wrong in the sight of God, can be damaging to another person.
Act in charity concerning secular matters when they do not violate the Word of God.
Maybe we can consider this: If we look down on a person who likes country western music, perhaps it is pride living inside us that is the problem. If we are trained in selection of colors, and we see someone use "the wrong colors", is it really wrong or have we taken on instruction from man and pride lives in us.
We can correct ourselves by talking with God.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Maybe we can consider this: If we look down on a person who likes country western music, perhaps it is pride living inside us that is the problem. If we are trained in selection of colors, and we see someone use "the wrong colors", is it really wrong or have we taken on instruction from man and pride lives in us.
We can correct ourselves by talking with God.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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