1 Corinthians 8:1-13 KJV 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

The council in Acts had order no one to eat meat of idols. Yet Paul seems to be teaching in direct contradiction of the law that was established by the Christian council at the time. What is happening in the Corinthian church is probably a debate of if it will harm you if you did. The fables that rise of danger if you do something that is false. The eating of meat in an idol temple won't hurt you persay, but it could if laced with poison. However in general idols have no power except the power in which man allows psychological and spiritually. That idol can not hurt you. However old wise tales develope over time and fear of idols an even demons arise. An idol can not hurt you. Only if it falls on top of you and it is large can it hurt you. Can a person hurt a believer sure, their skin and bones are still human. There body is still mortal. There comes a day when believers will put on immortality. That is transformation from life to death to life again. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord scripture says, I think it is Romans 8. The point Paul is making in this chapter is, there will always be people that will adhere to stories and gossip of idols and will be fearful for this reason. That in reality they have no power over someone but what they personally allow. God is superior and He is Lord. The rational argument that causes fear. It is easy to be fearful of things that are not, but even more fearful of those things that are real. If you brother or sister in Christ is weak and fear the eating of the pagan temple will hurt them or you, in there present do not do it. Paul is in contradiction of the early church leaders. What is his purpose, to point out weakness of fear that idols have power and they do not. It not to go against council, it to make it clear that it will not harm you if you did. How hungry would you have to be to break council law of not eating in idol temples.David and his men ate from the temple of the Lord the shew bread, it harm them not, but it caused others that served David and his men to died because of treason to the king Saul. By what we do are we causing someone else to sin that is the question. The law explained as being weakness to another, not for commandment of God. These people Paul was addressing did not know the laws of God only the New Covenant about Jesus, About Father God and Holy Spirit. The point being He is addressing people that were not familiar with laws of Moses. The council had place the law about eating meat of idols, because of people still worshipping idols and trying to be Christians too. One can only serve one Lord. Paul is giving a dietary lesson to illustrate the how the law even council law had no real effect if one does not obey it, if they are eating the meat with no religious belief in doing so. Churches that are built are built with issues that only concern people of social culture verse religious culture. Paul was at that council meeting, but this is a special case of understanding. This is how doctrines in churches get started. One group of people view something one way and another another way. Had Paul opened a can of worms, will it could have. Paul goal was to become like those he was teaching about the Gospel, to educate the difference in the freedom Christ had to offer. Jews were children of God, that knew not their Messiah had come. Perhaps others wanted to go back to their pagan origins to win others to Christ as well. Mixing of faith would occur and as well as spiritual adultery. Some people have no business returning to their origins after salvation, and other's can and witness freely. It like taking a pottery class, and bringing that class back to dear old mom, who learns to sculpt because of wet clay your brought home. What dear old mom may of learn and seen in life might allow her to sculpt that clay differently then what taught in class, but that clay still gets molded into human creation. Christ taken home to folks not familiar will take the good things and sculpt it into their traditions. Is Christ then lost by laws and traditions of a people. No, but to know the difference allows one to live in the custom of the people to teach them about Christ. All Christians are called to be witness, some are not called to be missionaries in the since of dealing with many cultures or laws. Paul was in bondage to the elements of the world he lived in. Multicultures and laws that would shape christianity into what we see today. Dear Heavenly Father, help us not to be obsessed with the law and cultures of our world to the point we fail to teach the real Jesus. The real story of the Gospel of Christ and freedom we have in Christ. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion:1 Corinthians 9:16-23 KJV 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. http://www.turtle30cshell.com