Walking in the Spirit is the only way to be truly free, and the first fruit of the Spirit is love.

“All of us have knowledge” must have been another term that the Corinthian church used a lot to explain why they ate meat that had been given to idols. It was hard to get meat unless you went to a pagan temple. The Corinthians thought that because they knew there was only one true God, they could buy the meat that was presented to idols that were really just stones.

Paul is telling them that “knowledge” may make us feel good about ourselves. If we think we know more than our brother and do something that hurts his feelings, then that knowledge is a reason to act out of pride. Love makes our fellow Christians stronger. Love will do things that don’t make other people trip. We are proud of what we know, which hurts other people.

Setting aside our freedoms for the sake of others is the spiritually mature thing to do. Walking in the Spirit is what it means to be completely free, and love is the first fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual strength in the Lord means putting others’ needs ahead of your own to help them grow. Love won’t do anything that could hurt a lesser brother.

Prayer: Jesus, please help me love other Christians the way You do. Help me to know when I might hurt a weaker brother or sister with my words or actions. Give me the love that will take away my rights for their sake. Help me figure out how to build them up.

Corinthians 8:1

¹ Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.