Idols (2)
1Corinthians 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Such a strange definition for idol worship. They built a bronze calf, they said this is your God that brought you out of Egypt, they had a big feast and they they rose up to “play”. From ancient Jewish texts it seems this referred to a big party that got out of hand. From descriptions I have heard it was every bit as bad as any Christmas party that got out of hand. Idolatry will go hand in hand with fornication. But look how innocent the description is. You have to compare this with the Lord’s table. We sit down to eat and drink the body and blood of the Lord Jesus and then we rise up to worship Him. There is a contrast here. No one rises up to worship the Lord Jesus during idol worship.
1Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? 17 seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar? 19 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. Many misquote the verse about those who are weak in the faith thinking that the Christians who don’t bring the pagan idols into their house are the ones who are weak in the faith. But that doesn’t make sense. You know that this practice offends your brothers and sisters, you know that Paul said that if that were the case he wouldn’t eat meat again, and yet you use this as some kind of justification? You are condemned twice over. You claim you are strong in the faith yet you refuse to behave like one who is strong in the faith.
1Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led.
A Christmas tree is a dumb idol. All of the spiritual gifts are speaking gifts. What do you want, spiritual gifts or gifts from Santa? Be careful you don’t exchange your inheritance with God for a bunch of junk from the Mall.
2Corinthians 6:14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, 18 And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
We use this verse to talk about marriage and about our job. But it also refers to the church marrying the world. According to Ephesians the church is the Temple of God. Pergamus was the church that married the world, and historically it refers to the church that adopted these pagan practices like Christmas and Easter.
Revelation 2:But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.