When Truth Does Not Help

When writing to the saints at Rome, the Apostle Paul addressed a point of contention in the church. Truth was declared, but truth was not the issue. In reading chapter 14 of the book of Romans we see Christians, presumably of a Jewish background, who were concerned about some of the food that they ate. They believed there were food restrictions. However, others, presumed to be Gentiles, non-Jews, did not have the same restrictions. One group judged the other. One group looked down on the other.

Paul, writing by inspiration, solved the problem, but not in the way you might expect. He wrote that “nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” (v. 14)

Did you see it? Did you see the truth? “Nothing is unclean in itself.”

That is truth. From that we can establish doctrinal correctness. Paul might have reflected on the words of Jesus: “Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated.?” A parenthetical statement follows from the inspired writer, Mark, “(Thus He declared all foods clean.)” (Mark 7:18-19)

So...we have the truth. All food is clean. We all have the liberty to eat anything we wish to eat, no restrictions. We should teach those who think there are food restrictions that there are no food restrictions. Right?

Going back to Romans 14, read the latter part of verse 14 again: “...but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” So, what are we to do with that? Paul continues...

For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.” (v. 15)

It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. (v. 21)

What is all this about?

First, this is not about food restrictions or food liberties. Yet, when dealing with that 1st century issue, Paul provided timeless instruction. Second, recognize that it is not truth that is the problem. Truth exists. Truth is vital. But truth did not help because of wrong attitudes toward fellow saints.

Paul clarified in 1 Corinthians 8…

Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. (v. 1)

If food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. (v. 13)

Paul recognized that truth existed, but that truth needed to be handled properly. One’s knowledge of truth can be used pridefully. It can be used in a mocking way that shows disregard. A person can know truth and yet, with an improper attitude, cause division. It is in the case of a wrong attitude or mishandling God's word that truth does not really help.

There are some truths that are absolute. Paul declares that there is one God and one Lord and one Spirit and one body (church) in Ephesians 4. These are truths that cannot be compromised. We need discernment when it comes to truth. The food issue and some issues of our day are about the conscience and are not absolute truths that cannot be compromised.

When you stand before God in judgment, who do you want to be; the one who boasts in the knowledge of truth, knowledge of Christian liberties, doctrinal correctness, or the one who builds up fellow saints through love?

Mark Stinnett

October 5, 2025