Lessons Concerning Idolatry In Specific–eating Meats Offered To Idols

“I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils:, says Apostle Paul. To what extent are we to adhere to this rule? Fellowshiping with anyone who is a habitual sinner is fellowshiping with devils. It is to devils they worship in their iniquities. The blatant sinner is mastered by devils and may offer sacrifices of meat to them in worship assuming they are real gods and can perform miracles for them.

However, Apostle Paul told Corinth idols (images of devils) are nothing. (1 Cor. 8:4) He included meats offered unto idols are nothing. (1 Cor. 8:8) These idol gods can perform nothing for the offerer. The implication is not to worry concerning these idols; they are not Almighty God. However, in chapter 10 he tells them they should have nothing to do with idols–flee from them. 1 Cor. 10:14. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Just as Israel offered meat sacrifices unto Almighty God, the Gentiles offered meat sacrifices unto their gods. 1 Cor. 10:20. 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: Apparently the leftover meat was sold in the meat markets (known as shambles) in the city. 1 Cor. 10:25-26. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. This dialog develops many questions and more fears than answers to the idea of fleeing idolatry. What is the Christian to do if they accidentally eat meat offered to a pagan god? Is he doomed because of an unknown sin? Let us investigate.

There are many decisions we make for our lives per second. Our mind, acting like a computer, can function and decide many things in a blink of an eye. Sometimes this gets us into trouble; it causes us to sin. We know we are going to be judged by God for our very thoughts as well as actions. To the conscientious, this may be very concerning. Do not fear; this is the reason for God’s grace upon the active Christian. It is the unknown sins we commit God shall overlook. The intentional sins and the known sins we commit he will punish.

A bit of knowledge: the annual feast Israel was required to attend, called the Feast of Atonement, is when the High Priest sacrificed a ‘scapegoat’, with the sins of Israel confessed upon his head, and then had it led into the wilderness. A second goat was killed and burnt upon the altar for the unknown sins of Israel. These were unknown sins for which the people had not offered sacrifice, because they were not aware of those sins.

Perhaps, like Israel, the Gentiles offered similar sacrifices unto their gods. Paul said these gods were devils. (vs. 20) If the sacrifice was offered unto devils, it was not Almighty God, the only living God, to which could do anything for the offerer. Many feel eating the meat offered unto devils will appease the devil to do various things for them in the eater’s favor. 1 Cor. 8:7-8. …some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. The ones who believe in their idol are performing a ritual for naught. Any outsider eating of the meats offered to another’s idol neither gains from nor loses anything. If there is anything gained, it is the nutritious value of the meat for the body. When accepted with thanksgiving, the nutritious value is beneficial to the body perhaps more.

But Paul says flee from idolatry. If one knows of the practices of the friends who follow pagan worship, they should abstain from participation with them. 1 Cor. 10:20. …I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Christians should not try to hedge their lives for gain from God and Satan. Participating with a pagan’s idolatry is having fellowship with devils. Riding the fence to participate in both worlds is wrong and should never be.

1 Cor. 10:21. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 2 Cor. 6:14-16. 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? To do as the Gentiles is participation with their evil deeds. Paul says further: 2 Cor. 6:17. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, …