"We are allowed to do anything," so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. "We are allowed to do anything"---but not everything is helpful.

My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you.

So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God.

But not everyone knows this truth. Some people have been so used to idols that to this day when they eat such food they still think of it as food that belongs to an idol; their conscience is weak, and they feel they are defiled by the food.

Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin.

And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your "knowledge"!

So then, if food makes a believer sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make a believer fall into sin.

If others have the right to expect this from you, don't we have an even greater right? But we haven't made use of this right. Instead, we have endured everything in order not to put any obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.

None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.

For, as the scripture says, "The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord."

But if someone tells you, "This food was offered to idols," then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake---

If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?"

Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God.

If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died!

For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.

The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall.

But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow.

I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal, sold as a slave to sin.

Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison.

Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau, who for a single meal sold his rights as the older son.

With their shameless carousing they are like dirty spots in your fellowship meals. They take care only of themselves. They are like clouds carried along by the wind, but bringing no rain. They are like trees that bear no fruit, even in autumn, trees that have been pulled up by the roots and are completely dead.