"It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak" (1 Corinthians 8: 7 - 9). 

When others see you, who and what do they see?

Growing up as a teen and the oldest of four siblings, my mother often said to me, "Be careful what you say and do" and "Remember, you meet the same people going up and coming down ladder." Like most teens, I did not understand her comments. Besides, what do parents know? It was only after becoming an adult that I fully appreciated the wisdom and implications of her comment.

My siblings (and others) were watching me, learning how I treated others, and patterning their actions and reactions after my example! Isn't it amazing how we come to realize and appreciate that our parents knew more "back then" than we thought? 

In our scriptural passage, Apostle Paul seems to be reminding the Christians at Corinth that they were being watched. Some Christians were "weak"  (young or new) in the faith, while others were  "mature" or "stronger" in their faith conviction. People were watching to see how the controversy over Christians eating food sacrificed to idols would be resolved.

How would the mature Christians treat the young Christians during this moral debate? Would they be domineering by focusing only how eating idol-sacrificed food would not fit well into their relationship to God? Would the stronger-in-faith consider how their actions and decision would affect the weaker Christians? What lessons about faith being worked out in hard situations would be taught and learned?

Apostle Paul understood these questions had far-reaching implications for the early Christians' continued spiritual growth in the faith and for the preservation of unity in the infant church. Knowing that they were being watched, Paul advised the mature Christians to be careful not to hurt or harm the young Christians, as they considered ways to resolve the heated, potentially divisive conflict. Don't do anything that might make the younger-in-faith stumble!

Paul knew the actions of the stronger-in-faith would influence the younger-in-faith and shape how they lived out their faith. It is no different today. Christians are still watched by Christians and others to see how Christian faith is practiced in the midst of the dynamic tensions of contemporary social, political, religious and economic life. 

Christian believers have a responsibility to imitate the character of Jesus' active, working faith of love, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness. No ands, ifs or buts, Christians are expected to set a good example in every choice and decision they make and every action they take. People on the inside and on the outside of the church are watching to see how the church resolves internal disputes and conflicts and engages the world. Others are watching.   

Like it or not, somebody is watching you as you make moral, ethical and behavioral dos and don'ts decisions. You never know who is watching. Family, friends, children, and people in the church pews are watching. The boss and co-workers watch you. Strangers are watching you, too. Through "Big Brother" surveillance cameras. On the bus. In the department store or market check-out line or at airport security checkpoints. At sports events and artistic and musical performances.

Your words and actions set examples and influence others, whether you realize it or not. It does not matter what your faith tradition is, or even if you have one. People are watching you. God is watching, too. When God and others see you, who and what do they see?