Freedom and Idolatry – 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

Did you ever conceive of the gods that pagans worshiped as being demonic spirits posing as deities, Molech, Baal, Asherah, Ra, etc.?  Perhaps they even displayed some kind of supernatural actions to secure worship.  Moses tells us that Israel “sacrificed to demons that were no gods” (Deuteronomy 32:17).  Paul also mentions the demonic influence behind idolatry.  Though the idols are nothing, the demons are something.  They are not truly “gods” but they are competitors for worship.

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.  (1 Corinthians 10:14-33 ESV)

Those Corinthians who have strong consciences and know that idols are nothing have been going to idol temples when friends invite them but Paul urges them to flee idolatry.  No, idols are not real gods, but by participating in the fellowship of the pagan rituals they are getting perilously close to the influence of the demons who do inhabit the worship of idols.  They are participating in worship of false gods by sharing in the altar of the pagans and in danger of making the Lord jealous and of hurting the consciences of those who are weak.  Their slogan of “all things are lawful” is again misleading them.  They are not being built up or building up by their actions.  

Meat sold in the market or served at a neighbor’s house, if no issue is made of it being meat sacrificed to idols, poses no issue.  Eat it.  But if someone raises the issue that means their conscience is weak or they are testing you to see if you are true to the Lord.  Everything should be done to the glory of the Lord (a much better slogan than the Corinthian one) and with a view to reaching people for Christ.

This can be applied to any issue we struggle with that is a matter of conscience rather than direct command from Christ.