In our passage for today, Paul equates idolatry with demonology. In other words, when we feed an idol, we are feeding the demon behind the idol. When we cherish something and worship it falsely, in place of the living God, we invite Satanic/demonic involvement in our lives. Let’s see how Paul shows this to us in this passage.
“What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? 20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. 21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. 22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is? 23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it”
1 Corinthians 10:19-26 NLT
Question 1. Where do you see the connection between idols and demons in 1 Corinthians 10:19-26 NLT?
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All believers need to examine their hearts for idols, recognizing that feeding an idol invokes demonic activity in our lives, from which we will reap destruction. And should we find unwanted idols in our hearts, Paul guides us to the cross as our place of rescue:
“You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too” (1 Corinthians 10:21).
To “drink from the cup” and “eat at the Lord’s Table” means we are participating in, or uniting ourselves with, the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. It is a “joining together” and a “becoming one” with Him in His death. As you eat and drink, you are taking into yourself the benefits of Jesus’ suffering and enjoying intimacy with Him as you remember how He bled to death and was broken and poured out for you.
Similarly, idolatry is joining together with demons, sitting around the table with those who wish you dead, participating, and becoming one with forces that wish to destroy your life forever.
Question 2. According to 1 Corinthians 10:22 NLT, when a believer is involved in idolatry, how does the heart of the Lord respond?
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Verse 22 exposes the heart of God towards you. It shows His deep Husband-love for you, His passion toward you. He has bought you with the blood of His Son, He has taken you to Himself in holy matrimony, and He is jealous for your love and affection. When you pursue idols in your life, you are hurting the heart of the One who died for you in love, you are giving yourself to another in spiritual adultery, and you are breaking your marriage vows.
To this issue of eating food sacrificed to idol demons, the "strong" Corinthians stated that they had the freedom to do anything, which is true but is the wrong statement to be making. The Christian life is not one of exercising all manner of freedoms just because we can, but rather, "is what I am about to do good and beneficial both for me and those around me?"
Paul runs to the cross when he says, "Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others" (1 Corinthians 10:24). He is now looking at Jesus, who was entirely unconcerned for His own good as He hung on a criminal's cross, and was entirely consumed for the good of others. He would gladly suffer wounds if it would heal you, joyfully be nailed to a cross to free you, die to save you, and sink into hell to lift you to heaven. Now that's how we are to live in God's kingdom!
Question 3. Do you see how Paul constantly appeals to the cross to show us how to live? Please pick one cross-focused statement from 1 Corinthians 10:19-26 that holds special significance to you, and write a few sentences about it.
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