A.C.T.S. Grid

A.C.T.S. reflection

Romans 14:20

20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.

Adoration

Father, we praise You for Your work in Your people, which matters far more than the freedom we claim over what we eat.

The command names “the work of God” as something we must not destroy. God is actively at work among His people, and His work deserves our reverent care. The contrast with “for the sake of food” shows how much more His work matters than our preferences at the table.

Confession

Lord, we confess that we insist on eating what we want even when our choice leads another person into sin.

The central sin is insisting on our freedom to eat when doing so leads another person into sin. Paul affirms that “Everything is indeed clean,” so the food itself is not the problem. Yet he says it is wrong “to make another stumble by what he eats.” Believers fall short when they value eating what they want above protecting another person from stumbling.

Thanksgiving

Jesus, thank You for perfectly putting others’ good before Your own comfort and for dying to bear the penalty for our insistence on eating what makes another stumble.

The warning against making “another stumble” exposes our need for a Savior who never used His freedom at another person’s expense. Jesus perfectly sought others’ good rather than insisting on His own comfort. Although this verse does not explicitly describe His cross, the failure it names is a sin for which He bore the penalty in His death. His saving work brings forgiveness for putting our freedom to eat above another person’s spiritual good.

Supplication

Holy Spirit, change our desires so that we willingly forgo food we enjoy rather than lead another person into sin.

Godly living takes seriously the command, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.” Knowing that “Everything is indeed clean” does not remove responsibility for how our eating affects someone else. The Spirit grows a willingness to forgo permitted food rather than make another person stumble. This means changing not merely our meals but our desire to have our own way.

Prayer prompt

Pray these four lines slowly, adding particular names, situations, or sins from your own life to each.

Make this reflection your own

Reflect on Romans 14:20

Reflections on this page are generated with AI to guide your own prayer — always read the passage yourself first. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.