Flee from Idolatry

Part One: The Idols We No Longer See

When most people hear the word idolatry, they imagine golden calves, stone statues, or ancient pagan temples. We assume idolatry is a problem of the past. But Scripture tells a different story.

Though we may not physically bow before carved images, we are constantly pressured by a modern pantheon of false gods: materialism, pleasure, comfort, self-love, security, success, and control. These idols are far more subtle, but no less powerful. The apostle John describes them as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses believers who assumed that freedom in Christ meant immunity from spiritual danger. A practical issue sparked the discussion: Was it permissible to eat meat that had been offered to idols?

In Corinth, meat sacrificed in pagan temples often ended up in homes and marketplaces. Some believers reasoned that since idols were not real, the meat was harmless. Mature Christians felt free to eat, but immature believers, many freshly delivered from pagan worship, struggled deeply. What seemed like liberty to some became a stumbling block to others.

Paul’s response was not merely about food. It was about the heart.

He asked two penetrating questions:

1. How will this affect others?

2. How will this affect me?

Christian liberty, Paul teaches, must always be governed by love and spiritual wisdom. Freedom without discernment can quietly lead us back into bondage.