The Cup of the LORD and the Cup of Demons

1 Corinthians 10:14–33 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 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? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Questions arise today

What about Christian holidays with pagan backgrounds?

Christmas (Winter Solstice--Birth of the sun god.)

Lent (Weeping for Tammuz)

Easter (Even the name--resurrection of Tammuz)

What about things such as

Santa Claus?

Christmas Tree?

Tooth Fairy?

Easter Bunny?

Easter Eggs?

Halloween?

Should we celebrate them at all?

The Scriptures are clear concerning idolatry

Acts 15:29 NKJV

that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

1 Corinthians 10:7 NKJV

And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

Revelation 2:14 NKJV

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

1 Corinthians 10:14 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Paul’s use of a pagan altar and poet to reach the Gentiles

Acts 17:22–31 NKJV

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

The Dilemma:

We live in a pagan society, surrounded by pagan influence.

How do we cope and yet remain free from idolatry?

Meat in the meat market?

Being invited to a home of unbelievers to eat?

Days of the week? (pagan names)

Months of the year?

Birthdays and Birthday Cakes

Golden Calf (Exodus 32) People made an image of a pagan idol (Egyptian bull deity, Apix) and worshiped it as a “feast unto the LORD” (Ex 32:5) 3.000 people lost their lives due to this sin.

Principles to govern questions concerning idols

Realize an idol is nothing

Realize there is one God and one Lord Jesus.

Morally neutral things do not commend us to God or make us worse (food, sabbaths, etc...)

Upon what altar is it sacrificed or offered? (thanks, 1 Co 10:30)

Be aware of the conscience of the weaker brother who would believe participation would condone an idol involvement.

Is it helpful? Does it edify?

Whatever you do--do all to the glory of God.

Give no reason of offense.

To the Jew

To the Greeks

To the Church of God

Flee from idolatry

The point: You cannot drink the cup of the LORD and the cup of demons.