I Corinthians 8:4
“Therefore, concerning the eating of food sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.”
This concept was earth shattering to me. I Corinthians 6:12 makes it more clear, ‘“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.’ When it comes to the gray areas we are free to do anything. I heard this when I was bound up in legalism. There were so many “have to’s” I felt bound to. When it comes to today’s verse, it sounds like the idol’s temple would sell bbq meals from the meat offered earlier. Paul is saying for us to enjoy the meal.
In my early days I could see how this would mess with my mind. I would think, “This was offered to an idol hours earlier. This was part of their worship. This place with their prostates is caught up in fornication, also part of their worship. This isn’t honoring God.” An so on. I would have been so distracted I couldn’t enjoy the meal.
However, Paul says we have freedom to do this and to savor it. We can thank God right in the middle of that. God has given us so much in this world that is to be enjoyed. Squeeze all the goodness from this world and praise Him in the process.
Paul does give a caution in verse 12, ‘”Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.’ As we are exercising our freedom we may be led into temptation and even worse an addiction.
We are all different and are affected differently by experiences. Some may be tempting and lead us in areas that cause problems. That freedom can become a problem. We are to avoid it.
The Holy Spirit will lead us away from those things. Yes, we can ignore those warnings, but we are working towards our own hurt. While freedom is great, it is better to follow the Spirit. Acts 16:7 is an example of the Holy Spirit guiding us as well as interfering, “And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.”
What a blessing that God keeps us from evil. Our great God who is so powerful and all wise, will break through to protect us, His children. God gives us freedom, but won’t allow us to cause harm to ourselves.
Lord, thank You for this freedom, but thank You even more for You protection and intervention.