{"id":51235,"date":"2019-08-12T09:21:53","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T06:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51235"},"modified":"2025-06-23T15:07:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:07:49","slug":"do-not-seek-your-own-good-but-that-of-others","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/08\/12\/do-not-seek-your-own-good-but-that-of-others\/","title":{"rendered":"DO NOT SEEK YOUR OWN GOOD, BUT THAT OF OTHERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2013 Living a Life of Love and Discernment in Christian Freedom \u2013<\/em><\/p>\n

Scripture Foundation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1 Corinthians 10:23\u201324\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cI have the right to do anything,\u201d you say\u2014but not everything is beneficial.
\n\u201cI have the right to do anything\u201d\u2014but not everything is constructive.
\nNo one should seek their own good, but the good of others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Principle of Christian Liberty with Love<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paul teaches that while believers are free in Christ (Galatians 5:1), our freedom must never harm others. Christian liberty is governed not by personal comfort, but by love\u2014especially toward those who are weaker in faith or still seeking Christ.<\/p>\n

In 1 Corinthians 10<\/strong>, Paul addresses believers who were concerned about whether they could eat meat sold in public markets, some of which may have been offered to idols. His answer is both practical and pastoral:<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 10:25\u201326\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cEat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, \u2018The earth is the Lord\u2019s, and everything in it.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul wasn\u2019t giving a license to consume everything sold in a market (e.g., alcohol, idols, or harmful substances). Instead, he was specifically referring to food<\/strong>, and especially meat, which some feared was spiritually contaminated due to its association with idol worship.<\/p>\n

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Interpreting the Text with Wisdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If we read this passage too literally, we risk misunderstanding it. Not everything in a market is meant for consumption\u2014some things are harmful, sinful, or spiritually misleading (like drugs, occult items, or alcohol abuse). That\u2019s why Paul clarifies: we must use wisdom and love, not just personal freedom, when making decisions (Philippians 1:9\u201310).<\/p>\n

When Paul said, \u201cEat anything sold in the meat market,\u201d<\/em> his concern was conscience and witness\u2014not diet or culture.<\/p>\n

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A Real-Life Application: Cultural Sensitivity in Ministry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s say you travel to China to preach. Locals welcome you and serve traditional food with ingredients unfamiliar to you. You may not recognize certain herbs or meats. In that case, Paul says not to ask unnecessary questions<\/strong>. Just eat what is offered without making a big issue of it\u2014unless you are explicitly told the food was sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 10:28).<\/p>\n

Why? Because if you refuse their hospitality, they may feel disrespected. You might appear judgmental or culturally arrogant, even if that\u2019s not your intention. Such reactions can harden hearts and make people resistant to the Gospel.<\/p>\n

The core principle<\/strong> is: don\u2019t let secondary issues like food or traditions become stumbling blocks to someone’s salvation.<\/p>\n

Romans 14:20\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cDo not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Likewise, when someone visits your home, and you serve them food, if they question every ingredient, it may offend you. That same offense can happen in reverse. This is why Paul tells believers to act in ways that build up others<\/strong>\u2014even when they have every right to do something (1 Corinthians 10:23).<\/p>\n

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Loving the Lost, Not Judging Them<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This teaching also applies to how we treat sinners<\/strong> or people with different beliefs. Suppose you’re sharing the Gospel with someone in prostitution. If you begin by criticizing their appearance or lifestyle, you’ll likely offend them and lose any chance of sharing Christ.<\/p>\n

Instead, follow Jesus\u2019 example. When He met the Samaritan woman (John 4:7\u201326), He didn\u2019t start by exposing her sinful past. He began by speaking of living water<\/em> and the kingdom of God<\/strong>. Only later did He gently reveal knowledge of her past\u2014and even then, it was done with compassion.<\/p>\n

John 3:17\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We must minister like Jesus\u2014with truth and grace<\/strong>. Don\u2019t prioritize pointing out sin before revealing hope. Let the Holy Spirit convict at the right time (John 16:8).<\/p>\n

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Reaching Those of Other Faiths<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When witnessing to people of different faiths\u2014like Muslims\u2014it\u2019s unwise to lead with confrontational statements such as, \u201cEating pork is okay!\u201d<\/em> or, \u201cJesus is God, not just a prophet!\u201d<\/em> These truths are foundational, but they require spiritual revelation and understanding.<\/p>\n

1 Timothy 3:16\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cBeyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even Jesus\u2019 disciples didn\u2019t fully grasp who He was right away. Peter\u2019s confession that Jesus is the Christ came by revelation from the Father (Matthew 16:16\u201317). How much more, then, should we be patient with outsiders?<\/p>\n

Lead with the message of the cross<\/strong>\u2014the reality of sin, the fall of man (Genesis 3), and the redemption found in Jesus. Let people first see Him as Savior. Over time, the Holy Spirit will reveal His full identity.<\/p>\n

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Spiritual Growth Is Gradual<\/strong><\/h3>\n

New believers are like spiritual infants (1 Corinthians 3:1\u20132). Just as children don\u2019t learn everything at once, we shouldn’t expect people new to Christ to understand deep theology immediately. We must be patient and loving teachers.<\/p>\n

Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 8:1<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cKnowledge puffs up, but love builds up.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our goal should not be to win debates or show how much Scripture we know, but to build others up<\/strong> and bring them to Christ.<\/p>\n

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Seek the Good of Others, Not Just Yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the heart of Paul\u2019s message in 1 Corinthians 10:24<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should seek their own good, but the good of others.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our actions\u2014how we eat, speak, serve, and even correct\u2014should always reflect Christ\u2019s love. We are called not just to be right<\/strong>, but to do what is right<\/strong> for the sake of others\u2019 salvation.<\/p>\n

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A Final Call to Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have not yet given your life to Jesus, remember: salvation starts here and now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

John 3:18\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cWhoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There is still time to repent and turn to Christ. Surrender your life to Him. Be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and He will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

Romans 8:9\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201c\u2026And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Seek the Holy Spirit. He is the seal of God<\/strong> upon your life (Ephesians 1:13).<\/p>\n

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The Lord is Coming Soon!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Walk in love, speak with wisdom, and always seek the good of others above your own.<\/p>\n