Flee Idolatry and Pursue Holiness
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 (NASB)
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. 16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?t you will be able to endure it.
SUMMARY
Apostle Paul tells Corinthians to flee from idolatry. Paul explains that when believers partake in the Lord’s Supper we are sharing in the blood of Christ and sharing in the body of Christ. Although idol isn't anything and food sacrificed to idols isn’t anything, the things Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to the demons. Therefore, believers cannot drink and eat of the Lord and drink and also eat of the demons, for they may provoke the Lord to Jealousy.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Apostle Paul urges them not to participate in the idolatry so common during that time in Corinth. I realize once again that we must be purely devoted to the Lord. God does not want us to worship Him one moment and worship the idols the next moment. "They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations." (Leviticus 17:7) If we are not completely devoted to the Lord but participate in idolatry then it is as if we are “playing the harlot”.
God loves us passionately, like a bridegroom loves his bride. Jesus showed the extent of His love when He died on the cross for our sins, shed His blood and became the bread of eternal life for us. Therefore, when we worship the Lord one moment, then turn around and worship the idol, who has not done anything for us, God has every right to be angry with us.
APPLICATION
I often fall into idol worship when I give into pleasing people. When my students asked to read a novel featuring all these greek gods I was reluctant at first but went ahead with it.
I was pretty uncomfortable reading about these characters giving food offerings to these gods, praying to these gods, and receiving help from these gods. There are many gods we still worship to this day; the god of wine, the god of romantic love, the god of wisdom, the god of marriage… I was really uncomfortable when reading this part of the novel when this god, who looks like a goat demon with big horns on his head, dies and the children lament and receive his spirit. I fear for these children who will have such positive feelings toward these gods which are in essence, demons.
I repent for giving into the children’s demands and letting them read this novel that glorifies the ancient greek gods. I also repent for still getting enamored by those things these greek gods represent. There are still times when I rely on wisdom and knowledge, or I strive for a perfect marriage, or complain about there being not enough romance in my marriage when Christ is the perfect love, security, wisdom, and knowledge.
I am ashamed to admit that I have spent hours reading the novel featuring the greek gods while I spent only a fraction of my time reading the bible. I will try to read at least 3 chapters of the bible a day and from now on I am going to be careful about what books I choose to read with the students and not give into the students’ demands to read novels that might influence them in a negative way.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I deserve Your wrath for falling into idol worship again and again. Please forgive me and restore me. Help me to see the areas where I am not solely devoted to You. Search my heart, Lord and Help me see the condition of my heart and cleanse my heart, Lord. Help me to stay pure. Help me to stay firm and not give into temptation to please people. I know that I only need to please You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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