“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, …
A righteous person is not to live and walk as the unrighteous. Eph. 4:17-19. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. In their ignorance they believe the idol will provide gain, protection and salvation by worshiping the idol god. Many believe they can participate in all forms of lasciviousness and then offer a sacrifice for atonement. It is sad that many so-called Christians act and do the same thing; they act as if they are once saved, always saved, not having to confess or repent of their iniquities.
Israel should have remembered the lesson from Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18 where Elijah tried to get the prophets of Baal to call upon him to do for them; igniting the fire under their sacrifice upon their altar. Elijah mocked them, greatly, provoking them to call louder for Baal to awaken and burn their sacrifice. The pagan god did nothing for the Prophets of Baal. Pagan gods can do nothing for mankind.
How are we to act before our friends and brethren who may have idols and offer sacrifices unto them for presumed salvation? Let us look at our friends first.
1 Cor. 10:23. 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Each Christian is free from the law of sin and death. Therefore, all things are lawful for them. But, not all things are for the good of thy neighbor–friends. Some things might be taken in an unrighteous manner and cause them to not learn right from wrong. Therefore Paul says, (vs. 24) 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. A Christian must do what is best for his friends' good. Do not do as they do; do what is best for their soul.
Why? Vs. 26 says, 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. God has made all things for the goodness of man. What God has cleansed, call it not common or unclean. All things are to be accepted from God with thanksgiving; it was made for our benefit both physically and spiritually. We must learn how to use it for our brother’s well being both physically and spiritually.
If we accept an invitation to a non-believers home to eat, we should not ask more than what they offer in conversation. Vs. 27. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. What God has cleansed accept with thanksgiving. Do not bring into conversation anything which might cause division or a reason for doubt to an ignorant weaker brother in Christ. At that time, the lesser known is the better. However, if the knowledge is made known to the group, what are you to do for the weaker brother? Vs. 28. 28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
Did you notice the repeating of the phrase: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:? God made everything for our use and benefit. We are to consider the conscience of the weaker less knowledgeable brother. Vs. 29. 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other:
Let us turn to ourselves. What are the guidelines ruling my freedoms concerning all things?
1 Cor. 10:29-31. …for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. We have the freedom to choose what we eat and how we act in the Lord. God is our only judge. But if we bruise the conscience of a weaker brother, we have sinned against Christ and have not fulfilled the will of God. In our private lives, what we do with thanksgiving unto God for all blessings, is judged by God alone. Do all to the glory of God and the Kingdom of God here on earth. (Col. 3:17)
Paul’s concluding remarks concerning idols and meats offered unto them is this: vs. 30. …if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? The idol is nothing and the meat offered to the idol is nothing. BUT, vss. 32-33. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Seek what brings peace and what benefits your brother over yourself. Who knows how many souls may be brought to the Kingdom of God by our actions.
In America, we are coming in contact with more people who worship different gods. As America is bringing more different religious cultures into it, we might be faced with a real situation those in Corinth faced in the first century with a broad variable culture in which they lived.
To bring an opportunity for all to learn the way to heaven, we must be aware of those coming into our neighborhoods. Let us be a light for Almighty God becoming please[ing to] all men in all things, not seeking [our] own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (vs. 33)
