Dave Havir - Knowledge Puffs Up, But Love Edifies

Dave Havir, following up on the Days of Unleavened Bread, reminds us that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Unfortunately, many of us, having acquired certain funds of knowledge, begin to develop litmus tests to determine who we regard as acceptable. Sometimes we seem more determined to be right than to do right things. Because people acquire knowledge about different things, we dare not become proud of what we know, creating barriers between people. Paul suggests that in areas where we regard ourselves more knowledgeable, we have an obligation to honor the conscience of other people; the strong person has an obligation to love the weak person. Sinning against another's conscience is tantamount to sinning against Christ. Though certain things may be ‘lawful,' they may not edify. Paul warns us that what is not of faith (according to conscience) it is sin; we dare not coerce others into sin by our ‘knowledge.'

Conscience - Emotional baggage - Contemporary music - Food offered to idols - Knowledge - Head knowledge - Idolatry - Litmus test - Love - Meat offered to idols - Information - Music - Pecking order - Political correction - Pride - Strong in the faith - Puffed up - Weak in the faith