Warning Against Idolatry

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

 

1 Corinthians 10:14

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

(ESV)

 

In the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, there is a scene where they are about to make a human sacrifice to a statue of a pagan God. When we think of idolatry, this is the picture that usually goes through our minds. However, Jesus said that our hearts will be in what we treasure (Matthew 6:21). What we treasure is the idol in our lives and if it is not God, it is an idol in our lives that is of no use and will end up disappointing us. Paul’s warning to the Corinthians about idolatry can apply to every one of us.

 

Paul begins this text by telling the Corinthians that the Jews were under the protection of a cloud and miraculously passed through the Red Sea because God opened the sea for them to cross through (1 Corinthians 10:1). Not only did God protect them, but he also provided spiritual food for them to drink as well as water from a rock that followed them through the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:2-4). However, God was not pleased with them because of their idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:5).

 

The recording of the idolatry of Israel provides an example for us not to desire evil as they did (1 Corinthians 10:6). Paul then provides examples of Israel’s idolatry and the consequences (1 Corinthians 10:7-10). While these things happened long before the coming of Christ and the Corinthians coming to know Jesus as their Savior, Paul mentions them for instructional purposes, urging the Corinthians not to engage in idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:11). One must not think he or she can stand which is pride leading to a fall (Proverbs 16:18) but must flee the temptation to idolatry for God always makes a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

 

Paul urges the Corinthians to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Paul believes he is speaking to sensible people and as such asks them to judge what he says (1 Corinthians 10:15). He then asks them to consider the Lord's Supper with the cup representing the blood of Christ and the bread the broken body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Since the implements of the Lord’s supper represent the Body of Christ, partaking in them is symbolic of unity with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17). Likewise, the people of Israel were participants with the sacrifices offered on the altar (1 Corinthians 10:18). This does not imply that food offered to idols means anything for it is offered to demons and not God with Paul not wanting the Corinthians to participate with demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-20). Paul concludes this text by warning the Corinthians not to participate in duplicitous worship of the Lord and demons, provoking the Lord to Jealousy, believing they are stronger than the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:21-22).

 

Previously, Paul had written to the Corinthians regarding their freedom in Christ to eat food sacrificed to idols for an idol means nothing (1 Corinthians 3:4-6). However, the freedom to eat food offered to idols does have a limit. Out of love for fellow believers, one should abstain from eating such food in the presence of a believer who had former associations with the worship of idols because he or she may have the temptation to return to the worship of idols (1 Corinthians 8:7). However, there is no freedom to worship idols for God commanded us to have no other Gods (Exodus 20:1-3), something confirmed by Christ in the New Covenant (Matthew 22:34-40). Paul issues the warning in this text, so the Corinthian believers do not abuse the grace of God by believing they have the freedom to continue worshipping idols because God’s grace has forgiven them. Paul, one educated in the law and words of the prophets due to being a Pharisee knew that Judah engaged in duplicitous worship of God and Baal with the consequence of 70 years of exile (Jeremiah 2). Paul did not want the Corinthians to become spiritual whores, like Judah.

 

Most religions today do not require one to set up a shrine to a pagan god and bow down to it in worship, but this does not mean we cannot be guilty of idolatry. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God evicted them from the Garden but more importantly, their sin caused spiritual death through spiritual separation from God, passed on from generation to generation (Genesis 3:22-24; Isaiah 59:2). This created a void in the human heart that people will fill with something. The people settling in the land of Shinar attempted to fill the void by building a tower to the heavens (Genesis 11:1-9). King Saul sought advice from a medium instead of inquiring of God because he was impatient (1 Samuel 28). Simon the magician, although a believer, trusted that his money could buy the gift of laying hands on people so they could receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-25). Jesus said our hearts will be in whatever we treasure (Matthew 6:21).

 

Believers should regularly check their hearts to determine if their heart treasures something other than God. Things that can come between us and God can be career, money, appearance, family, and even our service to God instead of our relationship with God. If we determine we have placed something above God in our hearts, we must surrender this idol to God and place Him back on the throne of our hearts. If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your Savior, placing Him on the throne of your heart, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.