Episode 2835 - Lesson 5 - Wednesday July 29 - Warning against Idolatry

Warning Against IdolatryRead 1 Corinthians 10:5-22. Why must we flee from idolatry?In 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Paul resumes the issue of food offered to idols. Offering food to idols may be strange in many cultures today, but it was common in biblical times. When animals were sacrificed to the gods in the heathen temples, part of the animal was given to the officiating priests, who sold the meat. Some of this meat found its way into the public markets. Because this meat was not kept separate from other meat that was also offered for sale in the market, a Christian might unknowingly purchase meat that had been offered to idols. The counsel of the apostle is that such meat may be freely purchased by Christians.Nevertheless, while meat previously sacrificed in a temple could be eaten by Christians at home (1 Cor. 8:1-13), the practice of going into pagan temples and participating in their festivals was clearly forbidden for Christians. The criterion is clear: Christians are allowed to eat that meat at home because the idols are nothing (1 Cor. 8:4); however, Christians must not participate in pagan ceremonies because this corresponds to worshiping demons (1 Cor. 10:20-21). Taking part in pagan rituals equals having communion with demons (1 Cor. 10:20), just as taking part in the Lord's Supper equals having communion with Christ (1 Cor. 10:16).Thus, Paul says, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons" (1 Cor. 10:21, NKJV). As Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24, NKJV).Paul teaches that God requires wholehearted loyalty. He implies that idolatry provokes "the Lord to jealousy" (1 Cor. 10:22, NKJV). For that not to happen, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, provides an infallible rule against idolatry, by alluding to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (NKJV; emphasis supplied). To this idea of loving God above all things in Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus added, " ' "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" ' " (Mark 12:31, NKJV; see also Lev. 19:18).An idol doesn't have to be a stone statue. We can make an idol out of just about anything. What idols, if any, do you need to flee from in your own life?