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 the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:16, 17). Paul has been dealing, not so much  with the question of what is permissible, but rather how what we believe is permissible  affects relationships within the fellowship. We are to receive one who is week in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things (verse 1). He cites a brother who eats only vegetables, and one who esteems one day above another (verses 2, 5).  We are not on the one hand to despise our brother,  or judge him on the other. If for example we keep the day, we keep it to the Lord, if we don't keep it is to the Lord that we don't keep it.

It is before our own master that we stand or fall, for  we must all individually give an account of ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ (verses 12, 10). This is not about loosing our salvation, it is about receiving or loosing rewards (1 Corinthians 3:9-15).  There are two points here. We read that the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves is happy, the one who does what he himself does not approve,  is condemned.  The first point then is that whatever is not of faith is sin (verses 22, 23). The second point is that the “stronger” brother can cause the “weaker” brother to stumble. We talk about triggers in recovery. Someone with a drinking problem can be triggered by someone drinking or even one saying he does not have a problem with drinking. These things can cause our brother to stumble. Paul says “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense” (verses21, 20). 

It is in this context, causing a brother to stumble,  that Paul tells us to not let our good be spoken of as evil. In a parallel passage he says “if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:13). If our behaviour is causing our brother to stumble, we are not walking in love. Again with the title verse these things are not the essence of the Kingdom, the essence of the Kingdom is “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” If we are arguing about these doubtful and ultimately unimportant things we are grieving the Holy Spirit, disturbing the peace and quenching our  and other's joy.

Father, forgive us for those times when we have been more concerned to do what I want to do, even at the expense of triggering my brother or sister. And forgive us Lord for those times we have judged others.  Please show us what is important, and draw us close to You so that we might walk in righteousness, and experience Your peace and joy in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. I ask these things in Jesus Name Amen.