ROMANS 14:15

“For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died.”

When I was in high school, I played football (real football, not soccer, lol). I loved to destroy people! I had the privilege to play linebacker on defense. That position usually gets the most tackles in a game. During my freshman year I was still dressing out for the Junior Varsity team, as well as the varsity. I practiced all week with the varsity squad and played JV on Thursday nights. After a week of playing with the “big boys” those Thursday night games were like shooting ducks in a barrel. I dominated and destroyed many an opponent.

That is NOT what Paul is talking about in today’s verse when he writes about destroying others. That destruction is mainly done with words through judgment of others or unkind or even mean words and actions. Paul is not letting up on this judgment thing. He reminds us that every person we think we have the right to judge is a person Christ died for. They are precious in His sight.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “destroy” is apóllymi “(from apó, ‘away from,’ which intensifies ollymi, ‘to destroy’) – properly, fully destroy, cutting off entirely (note the force of the prefix, apó). Apóllymi (‘violently/completely perish’) implies permanent (absolute) destruction, i.e. to cancel out (remove); ‘to die, with the implication of ruin and destruction’ (L & N, 1, 23.106); cause to be lost (utterly perish) by experiencing a miserable end.” (HELPS Word-studies). I know that was a long definition, but I wanted you to see the weight of this word. Paul is saying our judgmental attitudes toward others can totally destroy them.

This is the same word used in John 10:10 where it says the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. Just as he wants to totally destroy you, your judgments can have the same effect. How is that possible, Carl? Your judgmental attitudes can push someone away from Christ. They see you, who profess to be a follower of Jesus, acting that way and decide they want no part of Him. Supposedly Gandhi once said that if it weren’t for Christians, he would become one. Obviously, some “Christian” had not been very Christlike to him.

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” The word “perish” is apóllymi. God does not want this for anyone. So, He certainly doesn’t want us destroying someone. We should desire that everyone we meet come to a saving knowledge of the Lord. Watch your words. Watch your actions.

Keep me from ever saying or doing anything that would push someone away from You, O God. 

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