In the previous posts, we saw Jesus’ strong opposition to and severe judgment for the practice eating things sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2). If Jesus has made this clear to His church, then why do some teach that we can still do so if we are mature or strong in faith? I believe this stems from a misrepresentation of what Paul taught on the subject, particularly, taking a part of what Paul said to make conclusive statements which contradicts the entirety of his teaching on the subject.
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul wrote the following: “Therefore, as to the eating of food offered/sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol has no real existence and that there is no God but one… However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:4-9). Despite the truth that an idol and the food sacrificed to it are really nothing, Paul went on, in the same epistle, to provide the very reason why we are supposed to abstain from eating foods sacrificed to idols: “What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 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” (1 Corinthians 10:19-20). Paul further explained why it’s dangerous for the Christian to eat things sacrificed to idols: “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. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?(1 Corinthians 10:21-22). From these texts, to freely and knowingly eat food sacrificed to idols is to become a sharer in or partaker with demons. This is something God forbids. To do so is to provoke the Lord and incur His severity and judgments (see also Revelation 2). This is not a warning to immature Christians or those with weak faith but to the entire church.
After the warning not to partake with demons through eating things sacrificed to idols, Paul gave practical ways to deal with this issue since Christians dwell among unbelievers, and sometimes in predominantly pagan or non-Christian cultures. We are admonished to buy and eat whatever is sold on the market without asking questions for the sake of conscience (1 Corinthians 10:25-26). It is worthy of note that this text, particularly, does not restrict this to the conscience of the immature Christian. Indeed, if eating things sacrificed to idols means partaking with demons, and God forbids that, then both the mature and immature Christian cannot in good conscience freely and knowingly indulge in that. Additionally, “If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. However, if anyone says to you, ‘This is meat sacrificed to idols’, then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you and for their conscience’ sake” (see 1 Corinthians 10:27-30).
So Paul did not contradict Jesus by promoting the eating of foods sacrificed to idols among mature Christians or those with strong faith. It’s evidently clear in Scripture that Jesus forbids His church from freely and knowingly eating things sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 10:14-30, Revelation 2:14-16, Revelation 2:20-25). This again illustrates the importance of not building our doctrines based on selected texts of Scripture but on the entirety of what the Bible says on any subject.
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
August 16, 2024.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be taught and trained to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ. God bless you.