Myth #14 - "Rom. 14 is about the weaker brother whose standards are too high."
- Rom. 14:1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
- 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
- 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
-A reminder from this series: Rom. 14 addresses eating of meats and drinking, observance of days, and properly judging and handling a fellow brother concerning these issues.
-As seen in this series, it is inaccurate and dangerous to wrest Rom. 14 and shoehorn whatever issue you want into the passage.
-When Rom. 14 is not used as it was intended, lives are eternally harmed, and sins are not only left unchallenged but even encouraged and blessed with Rom. 14’s supposed approval stamped on them.
-The word “weak” is used 3 times in Rom. 14: vs. 1, 2, and 21. These 3 verses are our text verses at the top.
-Since sin is usually excused with the supposed blessing of Rom. 14, the “weak” in Rom. 14 is misapplied to those pursuing biblical holiness and God’s higher standards.
-Weirdly, even though, this is how Rom. 14 is usually misapplied, the supposed “stronger” believers don’t avoid their sins in the presence of their supposed weaker brethren. This evangelist regularly has the “stronger” believers parade their sins of immodesty, Hollywood and Disney, Christian pop music, etc… that could cause this “weak” evangelist to stumble and be offended. The reason: Rom. 14 is being misapplied and misinterpreted. It is not an excuse for sins and lower standards of holiness.
-As seen from the context of Rom. 14 that our series has addressed, the weaker brethren are those who struggle with the eating of meats and drink and observance of days. When believers recognize such weaknesses in the family of God, they must quickly (vs. 1), kindly, and lovingly address the two issues and do everything they can not to act in such a way concerning the eating of meats and drink and observance of days that would cause their weaker brethren to stumble.