Navigating the Complexities of Conscience 1 Corinthians 1:1-13; 10:23-33 “Inconsistent professors are the greatest stumbling blocks to the spread of the cause of Christ.” Charles Spurgeon “Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning” (Romans 14:20-23, New Living Translation). 20 Probing Questions Relating to our Conscience 1. Do I flaunt my freedoms in such a way that others may be tripped up by my choices? 2. Are there certain gray issues that if I am being honest, I come off overly black and white? 3. Are there issues that are black and white that I chalk up to the gray category? 4. As a believer, does pursuing peace and mutual edification with others trump living out my liberties? 5. Are there certain lifestyle choices that I make that run contrary to God’s Word? 6. Is there something that God may be asking me to sacrifice for His greater glory? 7. Is God ultimately glorified through the relational harmony that my life exhibits? 8. Is there anyone you owe an apology to for parading your freedom to another person’s demise? 9. Is the expansion of God’s kingdom more important to me than exercising my freedoms? 10. Do I live my life aware of the cultural hang ups of others and act appropriately? 11. Can I be more selective with whom I chose to be transparent? 12. Does what I do proceed from faith? 13. Do I look down on others who disagree with me about disputable matters? 14. Do I reject people whom God has accepted? 15. Do I sometimes violate my own conscience to participate in things I know I shouldn’t? 16. Am I so black and white on non-essentials that it causes unnecessary relational tensions? 17. Am I so gray about matters that I sometimes fail to have any real sense of moral convictions? 18. Are there areas in my life where I am a weak believer in need of some growth? 19. Are there areas in my life as stronger believer where I could demonstrate a little more grace and humility toward others? 20. Am I more concerned about being right or about being a unifier who follows the example of Jesus? Six Questions To Ask Concerning Navigating Your Conscience On Gray Matters? 1. Does it violate Scripture? 2. Can I maintain a clear conscious? 3. Am I able to give thanks to the Lord for the thing in question? 4. Would I be prepared to answer the Lord on this matter? 5. Does this decision dishonor the Lord? 6. Ultimately, can God be glorified in this decision?