Church - When Members Insist on Their Way - 1 Corinthians 8 - March 21, 2010

Bible Study – Church – When Members Insist on Their Way – March 21, 2010

This is study three (3) in our series entitled “Church Gone Wrong.”

Our scripture is 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, 4, 7-13; 10:31-33.

We continue in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth. It is clear that the Corinthian Christians are Spiritually immature and very opinionated. Paul has to deal with another issue among the church folks.

As mentioned in our last study, Corinth was a wicked city. It was filled with all sorts of pagan gods and temple prostitutes. Those who worshipped the pagan gods offered animal sacrifices to them. Some of the animal was sacrificed; part was taken home to be eaten by the worshipper or that which was left over could be cooked and served in the pagan café or sold in the meat market at a discounted price.

Some of the Christians saw this as an opportunity to get a good meal on the cheap by eating at the local pagan temple cafe or purchase the discounted meat which had been offered to idols/ pagan gods. These Christians considered the worship of the these idols/pagan gods as bunk and felt free to go to the pagan café to eat or purchase the discounted meat at the meat market and take it home to prepare.

A problem arose when those who had previously worshipped some of these pagan gods and participated in these pagan activities had become Christians. These converts considered Christians who frequented the pagan café or pagan meat market were setting the wrong example for those coming out of pagan worship or those who may be tittering. It could send the wrong message to the non-Christians in the community – The Christians go to these pagan places therefore it must be okay. Those who came out of the pagan worship could be confused by seeing fellow Christians at the pagan sites. The pagan worship appeals to the flesh and things that appeal to the flesh are very difficult to break. Plus evil forces were involved with these pagan activities and pagan worshippers could open themselves up to these evil forces and become enslaved. Those who came out of such an environment should stay clear of any pagan practice and focus upon the power and deliverance of GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT.

Seeing Christians in these pagan activities could mean that they were there to worship either by sacrificing to a pagan god or through a temple prostitute. Seeing fellow Christians frequent the pagan sites could lure them back into the worship of these pagan gods and back into the worship practices.

There was a group of Christians that thought once a person became a Christian he/she understood that there was nothing to idols. They equated that understanding with being a Christian. They thought they, the new Christian, would know that idols were man-made objects that had no power. They considered GOD as the ONE true, all powerful, all knowing and all present GOD of the universe, therefore the pagans gods were of no concern. Paul agreed with those who said that idols or pagan gods were bunk but as Christians, they had a responsibility not to mislead their weaker brothers or sisters by exercising their freedom.

Paul had to set the records straight. Let’s discover.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3:

Food Offered to Idols

1 About food offered to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.”[1] See note at 1 Co 6:12 Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

Paul began by stating the issue – Food offered to idols. Paul used two different Greek words for “know.” In verse 1 Paul was saying we “know” as a result of study or an investigative process. Through study we gain knowledge. Book knowledge or investigative knowledge can result in a person being puffed up and filled with pride because of his/her vast knowledge. He/she has studied the matter and knows all about it. The problem is, is the source of their study material reliable?

Then in verse 2, the Greek word for “know” means a deeper and more experiential knowledge that leads to wisdom. This comes from living and experiencing. As we age and mature, we know what we know at the moment but we will know more and in greater depth as we live longer, explore, experience more and ponder life’s issues. Often, as we get older we look back and say, “If I only knew then what I know now.” Experiential knowledge leads us to a more accurate, true and complete knowledge.

This is true as Christians build an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. The more we get to know HIM the more we trust HIM and are willing to obediently serve HIM.

In verse 3, Paul was saying Christians should get to know GOD but the most important thing is for GOD to know you. When you love GOD it is a confirmation that GOD loves you and knows you. Relationship is all about you and GOD living and walking in obedient harmony. It is important that Christians be obedient to GOD’S guidance and not yield to their own guidance. We can only yield ourselves to that which we trust and have confidence in. We trust ourselves to a bridge as we walk across it. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to trust and obey HIM with their daily walk. But they have to walk to learn to trust HIM.

GOD already knows our capability but we do not know our capability. When we obediently walk with GOD each day, HE reveals to us knowledge about our relationship and we develop a deeper love and understanding of HIM.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8:4, 7-13:

4 About eating food offered to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,”[2] See note at 1 Co 6:12 and that “there is no God but one.”[3] See note at 1 Co 6:12

The Jerusalem Council had addressed the issue of meat offered to idols regarding Gentile Christians converts in Acts 15:29 and 21:25.

Acts 15:29:

29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well.

Acts 21:25:

25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that[3] Other mss add they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Paul confirms his belief that idols are nothing and the pagan gods are meaningless.

There is only the one true GOD. In essence, Paul was saying, “We know that idols are meaningless and have no power but we still need to respect those who believe differently. It is clear to us but others see it differently, not to be different. They have legitimate concerns because they have been associated with pagan worship, have had loved ones involved in pagan worship or know the power of influence by association. If Christians frequented those pagan places and those teetering or easily influenced saw them in such places, it could result in them being persuaded to also frequent these places. They could be trapped because of the strong appeal those pagan practices had to the flesh and the desires of the flesh.”

I must quickly add that Paul was well aware that pagan worship could open a person up to being influenced and enslaved by Satan, evil spirits and demons. 1 Corinthians 10:18-22:

18 Look at the people of Israel.[9] Lit Look at Israel according to the flesh Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they[10] Other mss read Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s Table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

The meat itself did not contain Satan, evil spirits or demons but the knowledge of what the meat represented was a stumbling block for some. When the mind-set is not of the HOLY SPIRIT but of the flesh, the mind can create fantasies, when left unchecked, can lead a person back into his/her former way of life. Be filled with the
SPIRIT and dwell upon the things of GOD and what HE has done for you.

1 Corinthians 8:7-12:

7 However, not everyone has this knowledge. In fact, some have been so used to idolatry up until now, that when they eat food offered to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not make us acceptable to God. We are not inferior if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat. 9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if somebody sees you, the one who has this knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged to eat food offered to idols? 11 Then the weak person, the brother for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge. 12 Now when you sin like this against the brothers and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won’t cause my brother to fall.

In verse 7, Paul addressed those having been previous pagan worshippers but had become Christians. They knew the enslaving power of the pagan worship and they did not want eating meat offered to idols to defile their new found relationship with CHRIST. Yet Paul and fellow Christians knew that eating such meat did nothing because food had nothing to do with our relationship to GOD. Eating or not eating food offered to idols was a mute point and did not make a Christian more or less Spiritual. However, it was of importance to those who thought eating meat offered to idols was wrong and influenced them. Therefore, fellow Christians who thought differently needed to abstain from eating meat offered to idols for the sake of their weaker brother/sister. Compromise breaks a barrier and often opens the flood gate to allow compromise in forbidden areas.

It is like the frog in the water. Place the frog in hot water and it will jump out. Place the frog in cold water and gradually turn up the heat and the frog will be cooked. Christians are not to be instruments who cause fellow Christians to compromise. Paul made a powerful statement that when a fellow Christian used his/her freedom to cause another Christian to compromise; it was using their freedom in CHRIST wrong. I think stubbornness raises it head in the life of the strong believer. The stronger believer was not willing to change his/her way of life for the sake of the weaker believer. The Bible tells us that stubbornness is like witchcraft in 1 Samuel 15:23 - 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (KJV)

Paul had made it clear earlier that he thought eating meat offered to idols was a mute point. However, if his freedom caused his brother/sister to stumble he would not eat meat. This likely means when this was an issue, he would not eat any meat.

When Christians were invited out to a fellow Christian’s home the host could state, “We are having meat and it is not meat which has been offered to idols.” If the host did not state whether or not the meat had been offered to idols, the guest could ask whether or not the meat had been offered to idols. Or guests invited to a home where meat was served and the host did not say whether or not the meat had been offered to idols didn’t need to ask and should eat what was put before them.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 10:31-33:

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. 32 Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Paul asked his readers not to use their freedom to be a stumbling block or a rock in the road for some people to stumble over. But to use their freedom to abstain from the things they are free to do so they would not lead others into sin but to glorify GOD.

A fitting example is the love that CHRIST had for those who are to receive salvation. CHRIST left HIS home in heaven, gave up HIS power and authority, humbled Himself and came to earth as a human. HE lived as a human, was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet HE remained sinless, gave HIS sinless life on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, and was resurrected from the dead by GOD, so that all who believe in HIM are set free from the consequences of sin, which is death.

Paul makes this correlation in Philippians 2:5-7 – 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.[1] Or to be grasped, or to be held on to 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men.

Just as CHRIST gave up HIS freedom and glory in heaven for the sake of the lost upon earth, we as Christians should be willing to give up our freedom not to be a stumbling block to fellow Christians who are struggling with potential issues that could lead them into previous sin.

I knew a person who was an alcoholic and even the smell associated with a bar could trigger a binge. He worked for himself and went to a bar one morning, while they were closed, to do some work. The smell associated with the bar resulted in him going on a binge. He was missing for three (3) days and was found in a motel about 150 miles away. This was not a fellow Christian leading him astray but it is an example of the sensitivity of those who have issues that can enslave him/her.

Christians need to keep in mind fellow Christians and the things they battle today – pornography, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex, huffing, shop lifting and the list goes on. Just as there are triggers for drug adicts there are triggers for other things Christians have been involved along their life's journey. We as Christians need to be aware that our freedom could negatively influence a brother or sister and we need the HOLY SPIRIT to make us sensitive to the influence we can have on others. May we all be positive influences on others.