[Romans 14:14-23 KJV] “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. [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.
[16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of: [17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. [18] For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
[19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. [20] For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. [21] It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
[22] Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. [23] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”.
In the text above the apostle Paul is teaching on food. He outlines the godly guidelines that must watch over us in making choices concerning food and meat. But the truths outlined are absolutely relevant in guiding the believer in making all forms of choices.
Many of us have been raised into an entitled generation. We feel entitled to everything; even including liberty, freedom and independence without boundaries.
But why should you be bent on making choices that grieve the mind of people who care about you.?
The Bible tells us clearly that nothing is unclean in itself. Whether it is food, sex, alcohol, money, friendships, partnerships, houses or music; nothing is unclean in itself, but when it comes to making choices in life, remember the following;
1. Don’t choose anything that is unclean to your conscience:
Anything done without faith is sin.
2. Don’t do anything that would offend the conscience of others Christ died for:
Don’t let your good be evil spoken of. Many of us have become so self-centered that we make choices and care-less how those choices affect the people who care about us and have loved us. The Bible tells us that when Esau was forty years, he married Hittite women who grieved the mind of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah.
[Genesis 26:34-35 KJV] “And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: [35] Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah”.
There is nothing wrong with marrying your true love but should it be a grief of mind to those who care about you?
3. Follow things that make for peace:
When a struggle rose between the servants of Abraham and Lot, the man of God chose the path of peace. The man of God did not see any reason why they should fight. He did not see any reason why he should fight his own nephew.
4. Follow after things that edify others:
Even God, when He needed to make a choice in which way to lead Israel, He chose the path that will motivate Israel to press on and reach the promise.
I wish that you will truly stand in the liberty where in Christ have made you free. I pray that you shall make choices and be liberated in the choices you make. In making all your choices, always think about others. Others matter and matter a lot. Stay blessed!
I love you;
Noah Simpe Bediako
