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How to Approach Controversial Issues

So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person, it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then, you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. 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 14:13-23 NLT

Never let the issue become more important than the person  

So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. ROMANS 14:13 NLT

Leave room for differences in opinion

I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. ROMANS 14:14 NLT

Consider the eternal ramifications of your behavior

And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. ROMANS 14:15-16 NLT

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. MATTHEW 10:16 NLT

Political issues are usually traps—but sometimes we have to engage politically

Be intentional on focusing where we agree as a church

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. ROMANS 14:17-19 NLT

Realize that some issues come down to a personal choice

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 NLT

How believers can approach the Covid vaccine:

Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. PROVERBS 10:27 ESV

You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. ROMANS 14:22 NLT

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves. ROMANS 12:3 NLT

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment and allow your thoughts and feelings to become quiet before God. Invite him to search your heart in the areas where you have taken a firm stance about a controversial issue. Reflect on these personal choices you have made. How have you involved God in those decisions? Ask God to reveal to you if you have allowed your opinions to hold more space in your heart than other people who might believe differently. If he reveals an issue, ask him, “What are my feelings about this issue? What do these feelings show me about what I believe to be true?” Ask him to help you hear the heart of those who think differently about it. Ask yourself if you need to rethink the choice you have made on this issue? If you think you do, ask him for his wisdom in reconsidering your decision. Pray he will guide you in approaching those who may think differently. Thank God for the guidance he will give you and for his patience as you navigate this controversial issue.

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God, or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. Read Romans 14:13. Whether it’s the Covid vaccine, critical race theory, policing, politics, transgenderism or any other controversial topic of the day—do you tend to treat the issue as more important than the person you are talking (or typing) to? Or do you treat the relationship as more important than the issue? What has happened to those relationships as a result?
  3. Continue reading Romans 14:14. While some of us may want to believe that there is one “right” answer for every person over every problem, wisdom plays a lot in our decisions. What are some of the best practices you use (or have seen others use) when it comes to leaving room for differences of opinion on controversial issues?
  4. Continue reading Romans 14:15-16. When have you personally made a mountain out of a molehill around a controversial issue and ruined or sidelined someone as a result? What (if anything) can be done today to reconcile that relationship? 
  5. Continue reading Romans 14:17-19. What specific area or issue do you need to relax your grip on right now? What practical things can you do this week to focus on where there is agreement to build harmony within our church?
  6. Continue reading Romans 14:20-23. As you look back over a covid season, rich in controversial issues, who might you need to forgive or need to ask for forgiveness from, and how can we help?