1 Corinthians 8 - 10.31.24
SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 8:6-9
But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created all things and made us to be his own; and one Lord Jesus Christ, who made everything and gives us life.
However, some Christians don’t realize this.
All their lives they have been used to thinking of idols as alive, and have believed that food offered to the idols is really being offered to actual gods.
So when they eat such food it bothers them and hurts their tender consciences.
Just remember that God doesn’t care whether we eat it or not. We are no worse off if we don’t eat it, and no better off if we do.
But be careful not to use your freedom to eat it, lest you cause some Christian brother to sin whose conscience is weaker than yours.
OBSERVATION
While at first glance a chapter that is dealing with the matter of “food offered to idols” wouldn’t seem to have much significance for us today, yet there IS an overall relevant lesson.
For believers in Corinth staying clear of any contact from the food offered to idols was next to impossible for two main reasons.
First, it was an accepted “social practice” for all people to eat meals in the temples associated with idol worship because it was a hub for all social events including weddings and large family celebrations.
Second, any food that was left over from the temple sacrifices were sent to the marketplace and it was sold for discounted prices making it more affordable for the average families.
So even eating in a friend’s home, you could very well be eating food that came from the marketplace—which would most likely would have come from the pagan temples.
This was a great concern to some believers—and other believers weren’t concerned as they didn’t believe that the Food, itself, whether it had been offered to idols or not—could impact them OR their Faith in Jesus.
So, the question came to Paul—should believers eat food that had been sacrificed to idols?
APPLICATION
To get the right ANSWER you need to Ask the Right QUESTION
Paul explains that the question here is not really about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols.
The Correct Question was: How much do you Love your fellow believers?
[Note: to be clear, Paul does acknowledge that there are demonic powers behind these idols-BUT—Food in and of itself is Neutral [1 Corinthians 10:18-22].
““ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Jesus called the crowd to him and said,
“Listen and understand.
What goes INTO someone’s mouth does not defile them,
but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”” (Matthew 15:8, 10-11 NIV)
How much do you Love others?
Paul gives us an overriding important principle —Let LOVE—inform your decision.
Since there is no specific commandment here-and the concern is the division amongst you—
Let your Love for your fellow brother or sister believer inform your decision.
“Now about food sacrificed to idols….knowledge puffs up—while love builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1b NIV)
Knowledge is important…to guide our decisions. We need to read and study God’s word daily and seek the Holy Spirit for Wisdom and understanding —But it ALL must be knitted together with LOVE.
“I wisdom, live together with Good Judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” (Proverbs 8:12 NLT)
“If I have the gift of prophecy and if I can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.“ (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV)
If I have knowledge that it is okay for me to have a drink of wine, or buy a lottery ticket, or go on a shopping spree…or do anything that may be allowable for me BUT might cause someone who has a weakness in that area to sin—and do it anyways claiming my freedom—this is not showing wisdom AND it is not showing Love for the weaker believer.
“Only be careful that this liberty of yours [this power to choose] does not somehow become a stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the weak [in conscience]. And when you sin against the brothers and sisters in this way and wound their conscience [by confusing them], you sin against Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 8:9, 12 AMP)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
There is only ONE God The Father who Created ALL things and made us to BE His Own for His Glory! AND One Lord Jesus Christ—Who Gives us eternal Life.
Thank You for Your Love and calling me out of darkness to make me Your own.
Help me Lord-to Love others the way You have loved me. Help me to lay down my rights and put others first. This is not something I can do in my flesh, but by Your Holy Spirit-melt me and mold me to be more like You.
Help me to seek Your Wisdom and Your Kingdom first. Give me strength to serve you and glorify You in my life. May others see YOU in me. May they SEE Your LOVE.
In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka