1 Corinthians 10:1-33 KJV
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
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.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly 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 the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

As a believe we drink from the spiritual rock which is Jesus, who is the living water, bread of life, drink the blood being the cup of Christ, and the meat being Christ. Paul is talking to the Corinthian church about the pagan worship in their land. Corinthians mainly worshipped the goddess Diana. Now most of us grew up with culture all around us, even if we had little knowledge of these cultures, even in a mainly Christian community. However the Corinthian church many which had come out of the pagan worship of Diana. Christian culture being a clash to the worship of Idols, because they were only allowed to worship one God, one Lord, one Savior. Worshippers of Diana had no trouble embracing other gods or goddess. Actually the Roman world worship many gods and goddess. Jewish and Christianity worship one God. Christianity is truly the worship of one God, when you understand the Trinity fully, but for some it looks like three Gods. Until full understanding comes perhaps it is so in the minds of many. A good understanding of the three equal but parts that can be separated meaning God being one and yet in three persons is a study that is often needed for beginners of faith, not one I will repeat right now, but have through out many studies. Many titles of Christ are spoken in the Old Testament of the Father and in Acts of the Holy Spirit if one reads carefully enough. The church in Corinthian is being baptized into Christ. Baptized meaning immersed in understanding basic of faith and why not to dabble in temptation but to resist it, That God not going to put any more on you then you can bear.

Paul also goes into the problem of if you are invited to a party to celebrate, lets say a wedding for conversation sake of something you might not want to miss of a family, friend or cowork that believes in another god, and you might even enter into their temple or celebration hall. Now if the food served was given to the idol Diana, one was not to eat of it unless doing so in total ignorance of it being part of the celebration, unless a believer less knowledgeable understands it was offered to idols and one better off not eating it. Because the one with the knowledge of what it is in truth is watching how you handle what you speak against of not particiapating in idolatry with out the mindset of it being idolatry.

Give you example of a person being invited to Classical concert and going out of curiousity, but not participanting in the dancing of the ballroom, that the person knew nothing about when invited. Not because a person does not dance or even enjoy the music, but they are polite. Dancing itself is not a sin, but it can be fun even if you do not like that style of music. However one might of heard where in some culture dancing was a sin, and the person that told the other person is there, so the one person chooses not to dance but to be bored all evening. Sounds rather stupid right. However if the person is trying to help another who feels something is wrong, not to weaken their faith, that it is okay to think or feel this way for the moment, then you are helping that person not feel alienated by the event. They can still go and have a decent time, without participation. Now a rock concert might of been used as well and maybe better suited for dancing, but the point is a person can go to things and abstain from things a person feel is sinful, including the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

In truth I am not one for large bands, small ones fine, I just not a large crowd person in general, but in truth it bothers me not to be in a crowd of thousands of people. The fact is there are social situations where you invited to participate and it will not harm you to go. However if you know illegal things are happening at these type of parties you might think twice before going. It is customs of others Christians in general might struggle especially on the deep fundamental side of scripture. However Jesus participated in a wedding by making of wine of course it was probably Jewish wedding, and even ate with sinners during his ministry. The point is as a believer we are not to participate in the worship of idols, or food of idol worship. If we consider everything as being God's, why then is the food of idols not healthy. It gaining substance that was used for the purpose of honoring a false god or deity.

God is not a God to share his authority, his power with anyone that does not honor or respect him and honor him alone. It be like a president dealing with people of different convictions and having to tie them together to make it work structually sound. Can God work with people that will not honor him enough to follow his leadership and respect him. God needs no suggestion, our president and political leaders need imput back from the people that benefit more then just yourself. God needs no help in this regard, but people that follow his instructions. We live in a culture conflict of obedience to God and able to sit at a board meeting that discusses things to help a community or our great land. Why because we live in a society we must deal with devils and people of God. We live in a society that tries hard to mesh these worlds together but can not when it comes to faith. The best you can do is get the law to apply to several worlds in regard to religious faith.

It matters not if the religious conflicts is it not a law that applies directly but indirectly to them. Paul dealing with a church structure and trying to protect the sovernity of God within the doors and lives of the believer. He is not trying to keep you from helping your neighbor who is good or bad. He trying to make a boundary line for your heart and your way of behavior in accordance to the law of Moses and the laws of God and laws of Christ and the laws of the Spirit. Does it cause confusion, no because laws even have changed over time to fit society, but the one law that should never change is who you worship and align your spiritual heart too. If you can differiate thes two worlds and understand that, you better off avoiding the whole situation that may conflict with your faith? Sometimes it means simply just that.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to except your sovernity in our life, but also know that you desire us to be kind to the enemies of faith, to love them even when they sometimes do not love even themselves. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Ephesians 4:1-6 KJV
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.