We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak.  Romans 15:1

Apostle Paul defines the weak as those who are easily swayed in the wrong direction.  For instance if you were to drink beer with your poker buddies and then bring your believer friend into the game (the friend, who does not drink alcohol) and your believer friend is influenced by the drinking event– which then influences him to start drinking beer to excess and thus you have not influenced your believer friend for good purpose.

Paul instructs you not please yourself but to honor and influence the weaker person for good.  He writes, ‘Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor,‘ v.2.  Build up someone elses’ faith in Jesus and help them to be the best example of Christ in this world that they can be.  Be the best example of Christ you can be.  Have mercy for others and do not wrongly influence your neighbor.  Do not wrongly influence a child also.

Jesus has taught us that we show that we are someone else’s neighbor when we show mercy.  (Luke 10:37)   Merciful believers help others with genuine loving friendship.  Neighborliness.  Living mercifully helps weak believers, no matter what age they are, to be strong in spiritual maturity.  Your influence is vital.