OF RESTRAINT 

OF RESTRAINT 

”And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.“ 1 Corinthians 8:12 NLT1 Corinthians 8:12And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.

The demands placed on us as believers may seem plentiful and tedious, but they are so only when the doer has not been perfected in love (1 John4:171 John4:17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world).

In our theme scripture, Paul wrote to the church in Corinth concerning food and food ceremonies and rituals which they were accustomed to. He emphasizes their new life in Christ and the liberties which they are afforded through Him but requires that there be use of wisdom even in exercising these liberties.

Child of God, this is not just about food, but about everything that you do as an emancipated believer. When scripture demands restraint, it is because restraint has a way to enhance clarity.

If for example you are asked to repay evil with good (1 Peter 3:91 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.), that is a restraint that enables the offender to be drawn to doing good because our natural inclination is to sin and not to the virtues of God. In this case, your actions challenge another man to respond well which contributes to purging evil from our midst (Deuteronomy 17:7Deuteronomy 17:7The witnesses must throw the first stones, and then all the people may join in. In this way, you will purge the evil from among you.).

Therefore, in everything you do, let it be to the glory of God and for the sake of the greater good. No man that has exercised himself in applying such wisdom is not led by the spirit. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Father I thank you for this truth. I have learnt to exercise my self into godliness, and not to despise the convictions and leadings of your holy spirit in me. I do unto every man as unto God because I am conscious of Christ in me. It shall not be said of me that I brought reproach to the Gospel through my behavior, in Jesus name! Amen. 

CI.