When it comes to theology, people have real and often deep disagreements. There are entire groups of Christians who believe that all the supernatural gifts of the Spirit have passed away. Whole communities hold the conviction that miracles, speaking in tongues, prophets, and apostles—those expressions of spiritual power and positions established through Christ—no longer operate today. From their perspective, they are preaching the truth as they understand it through Scripture, and they often see themselves as correcting what they consider to be error in others who believe differently.
On the other hand, those who do believe in speaking in tongues or the continuation of spiritual gifts see things from a completely different angle. They also feel grounded in Scripture and are equally convinced that their understanding is correct. So when they teach or preach, they are following their own conviction, just as the others are. This creates a tension that has existed in the body of Christ for a long time.
What Maturity Looks Like in the Midst of Disagreement
What believers have to grow into is the kind of maturity Paul talks about in Romans. He gives the example of worshiping on different days. One person may honor a specific day, while another treats every day the same. His point is that neither should judge the other, as long as what they are doing is done unto the Lord. That principle applies to many theological differences. If someone believes speaking in tongues is wrong and refrains from it based on their understanding of Scripture, then that conviction is something they are living out before God. Likewise, those who practice it are following their own faith in it.
In congregations shaped by these beliefs, people will naturally preach and teach according to what they hold to be true. That’s expected. But Paul challenges those who are more mature in faith to rise above constant conflict over these issues. Maturity shows itself in the ability to recognize that differences exist within the body of Christ and to navigate those differences without always turning them into controversy.
What often happens is that less mature believers tend to fight harder for their positions, while those who are more mature understand that not every doctrinal disagreement needs to become a dividing line. They have learned to move through different spaces with wisdom and restraint, only drawing firm lines when it comes to clear issues of sin.
The Stronger Believer’s Responsibility
Paul also teaches that those who are stronger in faith should be mindful of those who are weaker. He uses the example of eating meat. He says that even though he knows there is nothing inherently wrong with eating meat, if someone else believes it is wrong, he will refrain in their presence. His concern is not about the food itself, but about the other person’s conscience. He doesn’t want to cause someone to act against their own convictions and fall into inner conflict.
Because Paul explains that if a person believes something is wrong and still does it, they are sinning—not because of the act itself, but because they are violating their conscience. That principle can apply broadly. It’s why maturity matters so much. As believers grow, they learn how to discern which issues require firm correction and which ones require patience and grace.
Drawing the Line Between Conviction and Unity
For example, I take a strong stance against something like infidelity because it is clearly addressed as sin, but I choose not to judge others over practices like tithing, recognizing that there are different theological interpretations around it. Mature believers understand that some differences can be held without breaking unity, while others must be confronted directly.
It comes down to recognizing that not every theological difference rises to the level of sin. Mature believers learn how to navigate these differences with humility, wisdom, and love, maintaining unity without compromising essential truth.
