ROMANS 14:16

“Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;”

When I read this verse, I thought of the late Charlie Kirk. He was assassinated for speaking truth – plain and simple. Those who hated his message of adherence to holiness and truth rallied against him and tried to turn his message to one of hatred and intolerance. What was meant as a good thing was turned into something evil. Charlie never wanted this. He only wanted to encourage others to live a life honoring God and His Word.

Paul warns us in today’s verse to not let our freedom in Christ be seen as judgmental toward others, thereby, turning the good news into a message of hate of others who have a different view. Sure, we must stand for the truth. That can alienate some. But we must always share the good news of our freedom in Christ with an attitude of humbleness and love for others.

APPLICATION

The word used “be spoken of as evil” is the Greek word blasphémeói from which we get our word “blasphemy.” We often think that only applies to us speaking against God. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day accused Him of blasphemy against God when Jesus spoke of forgiving sins. They had no idea what Jesus was really talking about. They did not realize they were accusing the Lamb of God of doing the very thing He was sent to earth to do – forgive sins.

We are taught in Scripture that the sin of blasphemy is speech that dishonors, slanders, or demeans the divine character, titles, or works of God. When we flout our spiritual superiority over others, we are blaspheming. We may never speak a word against God, but our attitude goes against everything that honors Him. Paul is warning us to guard against this spirit of blasphemy by honoring all people, whether they are correct in their teaching or not. Honoring does not mean condoning.

Have you ever thought about blasphemy in that way? I sure had not until reading this. When we are quick to judge others, we are in danger of blaspheming the very nature of God Who dwells in us as followers of Christ. There may come a time when you have to draw a line in the sand and defend the truth of the Gospel, like Charlie Kirk did, but we are not called to pick a fight and risk driving people away. We do not want them to call evil what we know is good. We are also told back in Romans 12:19, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.” Let’s strive to do that today.

Father, I never want my words or actions toward others to be construed as evil. Forgive me if I ever lean that way and correct me.

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