et each be fully convinced in his own mind (Romans 14:5b).
This instruction from Paul comes in the context of settling a dispute about eating vegetables and observing special days. But there is a principle here which merits our close attention because the modern church has more than her share of "debatable matters." But the fact that we have many opportunities to apply Paul's instructions does not mean that we do.
The Bible's instructions are clear. Stronger Christians are to win over a weaker brother by deferring to him. Now when disagreement arises, many Christians assume that they are the stronger brother in the situation, but then they do not obey the Bible's requirements for the stronger brother.
The Bible does not teach, "There is no answer on these debatable issues, so leave the other guy alone." Consideration and courtesy are not relativistic. There is a correct answer. Paul gives us the right answer on the vegetarian issue, but also says that those who know the right answer are to defer to the weaker brother's conscience. The strong are to defer to the weak.
So Christians have the right, according to Scripture, to eat only vegetables. They are to be left alone in God's house if they eat only vegetables, even though God calls it a weakness. Now if someone becomes imperialistic and insists that everyone else eat only vegetables, the clear duty of the church is to oppose such legalism. In Colossians, Paul requires us not to submit to decrees which say we are not to handle, taste, or touch (Col. 2:20-22). Christians must not obey the legalist. But if a weaker brother (or simply a brother with whom we differ) is just applying this standard to himself, then we are to leave him alone.
There are many modern applications. There is a difference between personal house rules and God's rules. House rules vary from one household to another. Some women say they want to go through natural childbirth with no pain medication. Someone else says to bring on the pain medication, and thank God for medical science. The Bible says nothing about this, so we are to mind our own business and let it go. We are not to pick a fight over a bunch of nothing.
What does the Bible say about when you let daughters wear makeup, or when you let them get their ears pierced? Nothing. It gives the authority for such decisions to the parents. Christian parents are free, in their own household, to say they would prefer their daughters not to wear makeup until they are grown. Others may let their daughters wear makeup in junior high. Isn't it wonderful how God has given different daughters to different families? We must all observe that great Pauline principle mind your own business.
In the first century, dietary questions had to do with meat offered to idols. There are also modern disputes about diet natural food, refined sugar, etc. In all such areas, we must not impose on others what we have decided to do in our own home.
To some these issues may seem fairly trivial. But the principle is not trivial, and we need to master it in such simple situations. If we don't learn to practice it in the little things, then we are going to see fellowship disrupted over those issues which seem more important to us, but which are still in the category of debatable matters.
One modern problem area where it is easy to see the neglect of this principle is in the differences between families that home school, and families which have their kids in a private Christian school. In this, each family is to make its own decision before God. Now the Bible does require us to educate our children in the light of God's word this means that the secularist education provided in the government schools is not an option. But how are parents to go about imparting a Christian worldview to their children? This is a pedagogical question not a spiritual one. What is the most effective form of parent-controlled Christian education? Some Christians believe it is most effective in a private Christian school. Other Christians want to home school for a few years and then enroll them in a Christian school. Others want to home school all the way through.
Now the biblical principle is not to say that all these people are all really saying the same thing. On the subject of education there is genuine disagreement between Christians. But even if someone believes that one position is incorrect, he must still mind his own business. God has given those children to their parents. Unless the parents are abusing the children in obvious violation of God's law, we must mind our own business. This is not compromise; it is obedience. This is not watering down biblical convictions; it is an obedient refusal to be a meddlesome busybody.
This does not mean we can have no opinions about such debatable matters. It is right, proper, and necessary for us to develop convictions on such subjects; we must govern our own households. In order to do that properly, we must think the issues through. It is also good when other people think these things through as well. And even if we come to opposing conclusions, we all must acknowledge the authority that God has placed with the parents, and defer to it cheerfully. That doesn't mean we have to agree with it, but only defer to it. Cheerfully.
