Romans 14:16-18
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
In the book of Numbers, chapter 32, there is a story about a few tribes of Israel asking Moses to grant them the fertile land on the uninhabited side of the Jordan River. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh saw that the land on the near side of the river was fertile and good land for farming and building cities. Moses jumped on these tribes with both feet and accused them of trying to avoid the fighting that needed to be done to posses the Promised Land on the other side of the Jordan. He called them a brood of sinners and said that their actions would bring about the destruction of the Israelites. The tribes immediately defended themselves against the charges by explaining that they were intending to cross the river and fight with the rest of the tribes, but when the enemies were all defeated, they wanted to return to the land on the other side. Moses agreed with this proposition and peace was restored within the two and a half tribes and the rest of their brethren.
Fast forward a few years and we see a similar situation occurring with the same tribes. The Promised Land had been subdued and the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh had just returned to the other side of the Jordan River after faithfully completing their part of the bargain. In Joshua chapter 22 it explains that upon returning to the east side of the river, they built a large looming altar, big enough to be seen on the other side of the river. The other tribes and leadership saw this altar and assumed that these two and a half tribes had forsaken God and were now worshiping a new God. They started mobilizing and readying for war against Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. They sent representatives from each tribe and the high priest Phinehas to try to avoid a war. When levying these charges against these three tribes, they declared destruction and doom for them. The three tribes then explained that the altar was to be a sign to the future generations that even though the river separates our peoples, we all serve the same God. Again, peace was then had between all of the tribes.
Twice in scripture, Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh were taken to task for something that was simply a misunderstanding. Why? I believe that it amounts to a disregard for how others saw them. Perhaps not intentionally, but the attitude of “I can do whatever I want” or “don’t judge me” were just as prevalent then as they are now. It really wouldn’t have taken a whole lot of foresight to see how these situations would look to their fellow tribes. It really wouldn’t have taken a whole lot of effort to go to the leadership to explain what or why they were doing what they were doing. So why didn’t they?
I believe that it’s the same reason that many Christians today are not planted in a church home. It is the same reason that so many people flaunt their lifestyle and choices in front of other people with a “it’s not sin, so don’t look down on me” attitude instead of thinking of how your choices may appear to others who may be struggling and have a different set of convictions than you. The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 6:12 says “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” If your choices cause confusion or hurt to your fellow Christians, maybe a bit of examination is in order before acting. Seek wisdom and accountability from the leadership that God has placed in your life. Don’t let your good be evil spoken of.