Last time, we explored sexual immorality, as presented by the apostle Paul in his epistle – 1 Corinthians (see Are You Drawn to the Flesh?).
Next, he shifts his focus (in the same epistle), to how to deliver the Gospel more efficiently by meeting people where they are at:
Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who followed the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Cor. 9:19 – 23. NLT
We ‘share’ in the blessings of the Gospel when we accept Christ as our Savior – coming to Him in sincere confession and repentance. We do the same when we share that saving Love with others.
Paul then shares how he shuns temporal glory, as he maintains a Christian discipline to receive his eternal reward:
Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Cor. 9:25 – 27. CSB
Anyone who wants to advance him or herself into God’s Kingdom, must discipline themselves by living out the word of God. The apostle expounds upon this by tackling one of the Corinthian church’s most flagrant violations – idolatry.
Paul learned of this because the church had previously written to him, asking if it was acceptable to eat meat that was sold in pagan temples (knowing that the meat was often offered as a sacrifice to false gods before being sold).
He begins by warning them not to make idols of themselves:
Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Cor. 8:1-3 NLT
What Paul is saying, is that all divine questions are correctly answered through the application of love, not knowledge. Otherwise, one fills their ego whilst simultaneously draining themselves of spiritual discernment.
Now, he addresses their specific question by contrasting the fullness of God against the emptiness of idols:
So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.
But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 1 Cor. 8:4 – 6. NLT
The apostle is reminding the church that God is the Creator of all things, and that He created them through His Son (see Jn. 1:1 – 3.)
Then, because he knows that the butcher shops are located within the Pagan temples, he tells them not to be concerned, that the meats themselves are spiritually neutral – unless they specifically know that it was previously offered up to idols.
If the status of the food is questionable, he instructs them not to eat it in the presence of ‘new believers,’ to not encourage them to unwittingly transgress Jehovah’s command:
For if others see you – with your “superior knowledge” – eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.
And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. 1 Cor. 8:10 – 13. NLT
(“… I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. if I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. Ezek. 3:16 – 18. NLT)
Lastly, Paul warns them not to be cavalier with their obedience to God, or make the mistake of believing that their ‘superior knowledge’ sets them above sin:
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous] take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 1 Cor. 10:12 AMP
So yes, everyone is tempted. Yet if they lean on God in the moment it strikes, they will not succumb:
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor. 10:13 NLT
You know who is behind all temptation. One of Satan’s temptations is to lure you into pagan behavior. Paul warns against the outcome, using the example of food offered to idols once more:
What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything [special or changed simply because it is offered], or that an idol is anything? On the contrary, the things which the Gentiles (pagans) sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons [in effect], and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons [by eating at feasts in pagan temples].
You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lords table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them]. 1 Cor. 10:19 – 21. AMP
In his final remarks about this subject, the apostle reveals how to take the ‘high road’ instead (i.e., walking the walk):
So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. Do not offend Jews or Greeks or even the Church of God [but live to honor Him]; just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved. 1 Cor. 10:31 – 33. AMP
Goodnight and God bless.