Daily Scripture Reading 1Corinthians 10:14 - 11:1

Throughout history, many cultures have made sculptures and images and pretended they were gods. There are many references in the Bible, in both the Old Testament and New Testament, to the idolatry that surrounded the Israelites. Yahweh made it clear via the Law of Moses and the commands in the New Testament that His followers should avoid idols.

Today, many societies do not fashion gods out of wood and stone. Therefore, modern Christians think idolatry is not a problem in their culture. However, the underlying reason God always prohibited idolatry was because idols took loyalty and obedience away from Him. Just because our culture doesn’t fashion idols out of wood and stone does not mean we aren’t worshipping false gods. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean we aren’t actually worshipping demons.

In verses 6-11 of chapter 10, Paul articulated the value of the Old Testament. It contains examples that were written for our instruction. Then he assured the Corinthians that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure.

1Cor. 10:14 ¶ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

This verse not only prohibits idolatry, it tells us to flee from idolatry. If you are in a burning building, the wise thing is to flee the building. If a tornado is approaching, the prudent course of action is to flee the area. Likewise, when we see idolatry, we are commanded to flee.

Since our culture doesn’t fashion gods out of wood and stone, it is tempting to conclude idolatry is not a problem in modern Christianity. However, we should be diligent to flee anything that diverts our loyalty away from Yahweh.

1Cor. 10:15 I speak as to prudent people. You judge what I say.

1Cor. 10:16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

Since we partake in the Lord’s Supper, which is sharing in the blood and body of Christ, we should have nothing to do with idols.

1Cor. 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1Cor. 10:18 Look at the nation Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?

1Cor. 10:19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

1Cor. 10:20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they SACRIFICE TO DEMONS AND NOT TO GOD. And I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

Paul is making a fine, but important distinction. On the one hand, the idols in Corinth were nothing because they were just lifeless images and the food sacrificed to those idols meant nothing. On the other hand, when the Gentiles offered sacrifices to their idols, they were actually offering them to demons. Demons are real and are opposed to Christ.

Instead of using images of wood and stone to lure 21st century Christians away from Jesus, perhaps demons today are using entertainment, celebrities, or man-centered philosophies as the idols that deceive us away from Christ.

1Cor. 10:21 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.

1Cor. 10:22 Or do we PROVOKE THE LORD TO JEALOUSY? Are we stronger than He?

1Cor. 10:23 ¶ All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

Since the believers in Corinth were not under the Mosaic Law, many things were lawful, but that did not mean it was a good idea to do them. Just because they could do something didn't mean they should do it.

There are many forms of entertainment in our society. Just because we can indulge does not mean we should, especially if the entertainment is promoting beliefs and priorities that are opposed to Christ.

1Cor. 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other person.

1Cor. 10:25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake.

1Cor. 10:26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AS WELL AS ITS FULLNESS.

1Cor. 10:27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.

1Cor. 10:28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat consecrated to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake.

1Cor. 10:29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?

1Cor. 10:30 If I partake with gratefulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

1Cor. 10:31 ¶ Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1Cor. 10:32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;

There is a mentality in modern Christianity that we should never offend anyone by what we do or say. That leads many Christians to water down the truth of the Bible so as not to offend. This verse is often used as the basis for that philosophy.

However, all Scripture has to be interpreted in context and in light of the rest of Scripture. The Bible tells us to proclaim the truth. It also says the truth is offensive; therefore, we need to speak the truth and we will offend people when we speak the truth.

Meanwhile, this verse merely tells us not to offend people by appearing to participate in idolatry. This verse should not be used to justify the abandonment of truth.

1Cor. 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

1Cor. 11:1 ¶ Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Since our culture doesn’t fashion gods out of wood and stone, it is tempting to conclude idolatry is not a problem in modern Christianity. However, we should be diligent to flee anything that diverts our loyalty away from Yahweh.

You could make an argument that every culture has its idols because every culture has influences that try to lead people away from the one and only true God.

What are the idols in your culture?

Who are the influencers who are leading people away from morality and biblical truth?

To what extent have you started worshipping idols without being aware of doing it?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”