Ancient Rome was full of idol shrines and pagan worship.  When people became Christians, they knew it was foolish and wrong to worship false gods.  However, their temples were also the restaurants and business network centres of Rome.  So the new believers had to decide if they could eat meat which had been previously offered to the idol, or eat vegetables.  It was more of a dilemma for some than others. The 'strong' believers knew that the idol had no real personality or power, so the meat in the restaurant was just meat.  Others (the 'weak' believers) were repulsed by the thought of eating the meat, perhaps because of their previous strong belief in the idol.  In 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 Paul sets out how to approach this moral and spiritual dilemma.

Paul instructed the 'strong' believers not to criticise those who were still wrestling with the implications of their new faith in Jesus (Romans 14:13).  Likewise, those who refused the meat and ate vegetables should not condemn those who conducted their business at the temple trade centres.  Each had come to a settled conscience about how the grace of Christ was working in their lives, because they wanted to please the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:23-32).  So, they were not to live under the condemnation of other believers, but with a quiet mind knowing that the Lord would judge them on the final Day.

The wonderful thing about God's family is that everybody is different!  We have been called from diverse backgrounds, and we have all had to deal with those parts of our lifestyle which do not please the Lord.  He knows our hearts, and understands how hard it is to change our habits, thoughts and desires.  The challenge is not so much to conform to behaviour patterns which make us clones of each other, but to honour Christ in our hearts with a clear conscience in obedience to His Word (Ephesians 5:10).  

Let us work hard to ensure that our motives are godly and make whatever lifestyle changes are necessary to be Biblically obedient so that we will not be 'tripped up' by the world around us, nor trip up other believers because of the choices we make (Romans 14:13).  And let us resolve not to condemn those Christians whose struggles are different from ours but love them into the light!