When God gave His commandments to the Israelites, He was explicit in instructing them not to create any graven images. Despite this, the people crafted a golden calf to lead them, akin to how God led them. What led them to believe that their creation could guide and protect them, knowing full well it had no life? How could they equate their own handiwork with the living God? Why couldn’t they wait for Moses to return from the mountain, and what made them think Moses was dead? Even if they assumed that Moses was dead, what about the living God who had delivered them from Pharaoh’s hand and miraculously drowned the Egyptians in the Red Sea?
Do Idols Still Exist?
After God punished His people for making an idol by killing many of them in the wilderness, how did the idols continue to exist? God granted wisdom to humanity to work with gold, silver, and wood primarily for the purpose of building His temple, as detailed in Exodus Chapter 31. Yet, in Chapter 32, the making of the golden calf is recorded. This highlights the inherent wickedness of humanity, which often misuses the freedom granted by God. Despite this, our merciful God continually pours out His mercy upon humans whenever they go astray.
And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: – Romans 5:20 (ASV)
When Paul urges believers to flee from idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10:14, he acknowledges that despite God’s commandment against creating graven images, idols still came into existence with every person susceptible to worshipping them instead of the Living God. These idols are not only physical objects crafted by human hands but also concepts and obsessions formed in our minds, causing us to ignore God’s presence. Therefore, an idol can be anything that goes against God’s will. Paul emphasises the importance of avoiding anything that detracts from our devotion to God.
Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. – 1 Corinthians 10:19-21 (NIV)
Many believers still hold the view that demons dwell in idols, attributing power to these objects. This belief persists due to ignorance, leading to the continued existence of idols and their worshipers. To dispel this misconception, it’s important to understand Paul’s teachings. He begins by explaining the worthlessness of idols and then addresses pagan sacrifices. Paul clarifies that offerings not made to the living God are ultimately made to demons, not to the idols themselves.
Ultimately, this reveals the truth about pagan worshipers and their sacrifices. Jesus emphasized this separation to distinguish His followers from the world, stating, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23). This means we are either with Jesus or with the devil, with no neutral stance. When we consider Paul’s message in this context, it is clear that Paul is not focusing on the idols themselves, but on the people who align with the devil, whether they realize it or not.
If we are really with God, doubts about the power of idols and demons will not dominate our minds. Instead, we will be assured that the One who lives in us is greater than the one in the world. As long as we remain aligned with the world, the god of this age will seem powerful to us, leading us to inadvertently deny Jesus and His Father. The key concept here is that when we doubt something, we are acknowledging the idol’s existence. This doubt causes the idea of idols to continue to haunt people’s hearts despite the idol’s inherent emptiness.
Is God Jealous of the Idols?
When writing to the Corinthians about idolatry, Paul warns them not to provoke God to jealousy (1 Corinthians 10:22). The book of Samuel recounts an incident where an idol was broken into pieces in front of the Ark of the Lord.
But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold. – 1 Samuel 5:4-5 (NIV)
God did not break the idol out of jealousy. Thinking this way places the idol on the same level as the living God. This means that we are giving glory to the idols despite God’s warning not to give His glory to graven images (Isaiah 42:8). God’s jealousy is directed at His people who, despite knowing the emptiness of idols, still give them glory. It’s astonishing that people disregard the living God but avoid stepping on the threshold where the idol’s head and hands were laid.
Likewise, we are well aware that God has disarmed the powers and authorities of the evil ones, making a public spectacle of them and triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Yet, we still fear the devil, giving him the glory that belongs to God and dishonouring our God who sacrificed His Son to redeem us. To overcome the devil, we must live in this truth, rejecting all the false evidence that demons present in our lives. Many fast and pray for the power to confront the devil, but this undermines the victory of Jesus, who has already rendered the devil powerless. Do we really need God’s mighty power to deal with a foe who is already defeated?
Food Sacrificed To The Idol
When we recognize that idols are nothing, the issue of eating food offered to idols becomes irrelevant. In fact, many products sold today have been offered to idols before being put on the market. This is done with the belief that such offerings will bring profit. Knowing this, we inadvertently consume products that have been offered to idols. Paul advises us not to eat these items if it is explicitly stated that they were offered to idols. In today’s world, with advanced technology and communication, we are often aware of these offerings before we purchase products. Ignoring this information and consuming these items under the pretence that the producer didn’t directly inform us is inconsistent. What difference does it make if someone tells us about their offering to idols while they give it to us?
Paul argues that consuming food offered to idols can cause many believers to backslide and can deter non-believers from following Jesus, as they see no distinction between Jesus’ followers and idol worshipers. Concerning the backsliding of believers, is eating food offered to idols the sole cause, especially when believers overlook all other forms of malice? Isn’t it our sins, more than the act of eating food offered to idols, that hinder others from coming to Jesus?
Knowing the Old Testament’s instruction to stay away from idols and Paul’s teaching to avoid eating food sacrificed to idols, many believers still fear consuming such food. They argue that accepting food offered to idols implies accepting all aspects of their religion’s faith. These doubts arise from our religious stance rather than the righteousness we have gained through His sacrifice. Consequently, we are unintentionally isolating ourselves based on the stigma attached to religious norms, thereby neglecting the path of Jesus Himself.
The Decision
After addressing the lingering fears in the hearts of believers, despite being cleansed by the blood of Jesus, Paul tries to alleviate these concerns by sharing his own testimony. He says that for the sake of the Gospel, he is willing to eat food offered to idols, with the hope that one day they will partake in the manna of God.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. – 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
It all comes down to our conscience. If we avoid consuming food offered to idols to protect our lives or maintain relationships, these doubts are understandable. However, if we do everything for Jesus, these doubts have no place, and we will rejoice in our actions. By aligning with Jesus and bringing souls into His fold, we are not scattering anyone by standing with the devil.
If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? – 1 Corinthians 10:30 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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