Series: Action [#83]
A LETTER OF CONCERN- INFLUENCE
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Introduction:
Chapters 8-10 deal with problems of questionable practices. In Corinth, it centered around eating food that had been offered to idols. The basic problem facing the Corinthians faces all of us. How far does Christian freedom go in regard to behavior not specifically forbidden in Scripture. Many behaviors are not commanded, commended, or forbidden in Scripture. It may vary from place to place and age to age; but every generation has to deal with them. It is never freedom to sin, and often you should exclude things that in themselves are not sin but that may become sinful or lead others to sin.
There are 2 common extremes- Legalism and license. Legalism believes every act, habit, behavior is either right or wrong. License believes that almost everything is acceptable if it is not strictly forbidden in Scripture.
The particular issue here was that of eating food offered in pagan temples. The Greeks and Romans were polytheistic- They worshipped many gods. They also believed in many evil spirits. They believed that evil spirits were always trying to enter human beings; and the best way to do that was through food. So, they believed that sacrificing food in a pagan temple would cleanse them of evil spirits.
Idol offerings were divided into 3 parts- The 1st part was burned on the altar as sacrifice. The 2nd part was given as payment to the priest. The 3rd part was kept by the person offering the food. The priests couldn’t eat all of the food left for them, so it was sold in the marketplace. It was highly valued because it was cleansed of evil spirits.
It was impossible for a believer who had any contact with non-believers to avoid facing the question of eating idol sacrifices. Wedding, feasts, etc... involved this food.
Some Gentile Christians refused to buy such meat because it brought back memories of their previous pagan lives or because those who saw them buy it might think they had reverted to paganism. Many believers were reluctant to eat at homes of pagan Gentiles because they were afraid of being served that meat.
On the other hand, some believers were not bothered. To them, meat was meat. They knew pagan deities didn’t really exist and that evil spirits did not contaminate food. They were mature, well-grounded in God’s truth, and their consciences were clear in the matter. This chapter gives us guidelines to help make decisions about questionable behavior.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2
1. Knowledge alone is not enough.
Some believed that as long as they knew the truth, they could eat any meat. They knew it would not contaminate them spiritually. Knowledge is important; but it is not enough. It is essential but not sufficient.
By itself, knowledge…
* Makes you arrogant.
* Is partial.
* Does not bring unity.
1 Corinthians 8:3-6
2. Ask God.
It is impossible to know God and not love Him. Loving God is the most important evidence of a good relationship with Him. Loving and being loved by God is everything. There is no such thing as an idol. The stone, precious metal, or wood is real; but there is no god behind it. The image is not of anything that really exists. There is only 1 true God. He has come to us in the person of the Son, Jesus Christ; and we are brought to the Father through the Son.
It is absolutely true that idols are not real, that so-called gods are not real, and that the only real God is the God of Scripture revealed in Jesus Christ. However, not all men understand this. Not all believers were mature in their knowledge and understanding of spiritual truths. Some new converts wanted to take no chance of being contaminated again by the evil influences that had held them captive for years.
1 Corinthians 8:7-11
3. Others are to be considered.
Paul agreed with them that eating or not eating food has no spiritual significance in itself. Neither act will bring you closer to God. What would otherwise not be wrong for us becomes wrong if it causes a brother or sister to misunderstand and to stumble. We cause that person to sin by leading him into a situation he cannot handle.
1 Corinthians 8:12-13
4. Misuse of your influence is a sin against God.
Causing a brother to stumble is more than an offense against him or her, it is an offense against God. A small child is not allowed to play with sharp tools, go into the street, or play with dangerous machines. The restrictions are gradually removed as they grow older and learn what is dangerous and what is not.
Conclusion:
I cannot make decisions based merely upon what I know, because there is someone else involved. I must consider others.
