Monthly Archive for October, 2002

1 Corinthians 11:2-3

Published on October 31, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 11:2 "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."
 
Verse two is the true beginning of chapter 11. The first 16 verses deal with roles in worship, especially the role of women in worship. The overarching idea is that a woman finds freedom in her femininity. When she functions as if masculine, she delimits the core of her being.
2Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things
Paul commended the Corinthians for their constant remembrance of his ministry. He labored there for one-and-a-half years. This was not flattery but genuine appreciation.
and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
“Traditions” is teaching passed along tothe Corinthians from Paul. Some of it was revelation from God and some was sensible advice. Paul commended the Corinthian church for keeping the traditions. They held fast to Paul’s teaching according to a prescribed standard.
3But I want you to know
Paul explicitly wanted the Corinthians to know something. His teaching on roles in worship was crucial for the Corinthians to know. The principle of authority penetrates every part of the Word of God.
that the head of every man is Christ,
The right-about-face word “but” indicates that, although they remembered some of Paul’s teaching, they did not remember it all. Now Paul asserts the principle of role. Everything in God’s order follows role – even persons in the Trinity. The word “head” has two fundamental meanings: (1) origin or source and (2) authority of a leader. Both meanings are possible here.
The word “head” in this passage is metaphorical and means priority in role or function. Our physical head operates the body and sets the direction of the body. The head rules the body. The underlying idea is leadership.
This passage states three kinds of headship. It is only the middle kind that causes controversy:
1.     The head of every man is Christ.
2.     The head of the woman is man.
3.     The head of Christ is God.
The argument in the following verses shows that women should submit to men in formal worship:
1.     The nature of order in the Trinity, 11:3
2.     The difference between masculinity and femininity, 11:7
3.     The disposition of order in creation, 11:8.
4.     The purpose of a woman’s relationship to man, 11:9
5.     The submissive nature of angels, 11:10
6.     The uniqueness of natural physical differences, 11:13-15
The concept of headship has to do with order in relationships. God has a divinely ordained pattern for relationships both among individuals and in the church community. Christ is the “head” of every man (male). He is the principal of the church and has the right to set the course of the church. He is sovereign over the church.
the head of woman is man,
The male is “head” of the woman. The Greek word “man” (aner) means male. This is true in any relationship such as a daughter to a father or wife to husband. However, this does not involve every relationship of any man or woman.
The principle of headship is a coalescing principle. It brings together issues of masculinity and femininity and how they function. Headship does not imply domination. Domination is not good leadership. With that said, the leadership role is crucial for proper functioning of organizational entities. That is the way God designed us (11:8, 9).
and the head of Christ is God.
Christ is under the Father in role – “the head of Christ is God.” The principle of headship and roles in the Trinity underlines the unity and function of the Trinity. There is no controversy about this kind of headship. Headship is about order and disorder. This is especially true when it comes to worship, as we will see in the next verses. Role has nothing to do with quality of person. Christ is equal to the Father in person but He is under the Father in role. He submits Himself to the leadership of the Father.
Christ submitted Himself to the Father to fulfill the Father’s plan of salvation. Paul ties all three roles of submission together. As men submit to Christ, as Christ submitted Himself to the Father, so women submit themselves to men in worship in the local church. We cannot separate one of these out to make an exception. However, all these authority relationships revolve around love, even tough love.
PRINCIPLE:  The principle of headship is a unifying principle in Scripture.
APPLICATION:  The biblical role of women has become a hot issue, both in evangelical circles and in the public at large. The controlling factor for the evangelical should be a radically honest and objective approach to interpreting Scripture. Many evangelicals manipulate Scripture to accommodate to culture. Fashions of thought usually find their way into the church.
Christian feminists appeal to such passages as Galatians 3:28 to establish that men do not have authority over their wives. They take this verse out of the context of the argument of Galatians. Women are equal to men in intellect, personality, spirituality, and in many other ways. Individual women are more intelligent than some men. Some are greater athletes than men. The issue of role has nothing to do with personhood but with order for unity purposes. A private may have greater capacity than his officer, but it vital that the private follow the authority of the officer. Certain men may have greater capacity than the leaders in a congregation, but it is biblically crucial that those men accept the authority of local church leadership. Women may be better speakers and even have better understanding of the Bible than the pastor, but that has nothing to do with role and order in the local church.
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1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1

Published on October 30, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:32 "Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 11:1Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."
 
32Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
A person concerned about the glory of God does not put obstacles in the path of the spiritual growth of others. Paul argues that three groups (Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God) represent all the classifications of people not to offend. Paul’s point here is not to court popularity or curry favor with men, but to place oneself in a position that allows others to grow spirituality.
33just as I also please all men in all things,
Paul personally did not allow artificial barriers to get in the way of his relationships with others but made his life attractive so that others could follow his example (11:1). He put the welfare of others first.
not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Paul did not pursue his own ends but the profit of many, so that they would be delivered from spiritual stumbling blocks.
11:1Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
This verse belongs with chapter 10.Paul offers himself as an example of someone who put others first. We are to follow Paul only to the degree that he followed Christ.
1 Co 4: 16Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
PRINCIPLE:  Mature believers willingly sacrifice for others.
 
APPLICATION:  If we claim to know God personally, then people will look at us closely. They will go over our lives with a magnifying glass looking for every flaw that they can find. We cannot live life in a sealed compartment. Everywhere we go, whether in a plane, on a trip, at home, or in recreation, people watch our lives. Are we willing to turn ourselves inside out to win people? Most of us would ask “Who cares?” and not deviate from our personal schedules 10 minutes to influence others.
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1 Corinthians 10:31

Published on October 29, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
 
31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
Paul now summarizes his argument on the Christian’s freedom to eat meat offered to idols with a principle that covers all options.
do all to the glory of God.
The overarching principle is to glorify God in all situations.
PRINCIPLE:  A focused lie transcends mundane issues.
APPLICATION:  The purpose of limiting our liberty for the sake of others is to glorify God. By glorifying God, we manifest His person and work to others. This is the ultimate purpose for all creation. Operating on this principle, we will gladly sacrifice for the weaker Christian. The Christian’s primary concern is not the assertion of his rights but the glory of God.
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1 Corinthians 10:27-30

Published on October 28, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10: 27 "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. 28But 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.” 29“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?"
 
27If 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.
The question in this verse had to do with a believer receiving an invitation to dinner from a Christian who made a religious issue over meat offered to idols: What was to be the norm for accepting this invitation? Paul instructed the mature believer not to ask questions about whether the meat was offered to idols. To do so would make a religious issue about the dinner invitation. The point was not about whether it was wrong for the believer but how the weaker believer perceived it.
28But 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;
However, if the weaker believer made an issue out of the meat offered to idols, the mature believer should not eat the meat because then it would be a religious matter. The phrase “for conscience’ sake” refers to the weaker Christian’s conscience. The mature Christian was not to violate the weaker Christian’s conscience in eating the meat.
for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
Paul again quotes Psalm 24:1 to establish that this is not an issue of intrinsic morality but of practical significance. This phrase is not in some manuscripts.
29“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other.
The focus is on the conscience of the weaker Christian.
For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
Why should a weaker Christian’s conscience determine the mature believer’s freedom or liberty? Because the weaker Christian’s conscience is more important than the mature believer’s liberty. The mature believer’s freedom to eat any meat is inherently good because all meat comes from God (Ps. 24:1).
30But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
Weaker Christians often criticize believers who exercise their liberty. Although we do not alter convictions even though people speak evil of us, nevertheless we are willing to change our behavior for the sake of weaker Christians. It is always better to sacrifice liberty than to injure someone spiritually.
PRINCIPLE:  There are exceptions to exercising the principle of our liberty in Christ.
APPLICATION:  When we modify our behavior for the good of others, we operate on a higher principle than our personal freedom in Christ. If a weak Christian makes an issue over something that deals with his or her conscience, then the mature believer should be willing to sacrifice freedom for the sake of his or her conscience. We do not do it for our sake but for their sakes.
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1 Corinthians 10:25-26

Published on October 27, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:25 "Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26for ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.’”
 
Paul qualifies the idea that the well-being of others should be our priority. In putting others first, we do not need to go the extreme of legalism by putting ourselves in a religious straightjacket.
25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market,
Meat that pagans offered sacrificially to an idol was not intrinsically evil.
asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
The Christian did not need to ask questions about the background of the food he ate as to whether it was offered to idols. This is an overly scrupulous approach to life.
26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
This phrase is a quote of Psalm 24:1 making the point that over-scrupulousness is not biblical. Food is part of God’s creation and so it is inherently good (1 Ti 4:4-5). The word “for” confirms the point made in the previous verse about not being overly scrupulous or legalistic about foods.
There is no kosher food in Christianity. No food commends us to God or finds God’s disapproval. All food is a gift from God and has intrinsic value. It is possible to be overly scrupulous and damage our testimony within the religious pluralism of our culture. Paul told believers they should accept an invitation to dinner even if the food was offered to an idol.
PRINCIPLE: Liberty always triumphs over legalism.
APPLICATION:  The Christian who lives wisely in a world of pluralism does not become legalistic and overly scrupulous. Some Christians make a federal case about everything. By making mountains out of molehills, they distort their representation of the gospel. By straining at a gnat, they swallow a camel. This is a head-in-the-sand approach to life. God does not expect us to become “creeps” after salvation! We should live normal lives enjoying normal things around us.
Demonstration of Christian liberty is a testimony to a pluralistic society. The more scrupulous we are, the less likely pluralists will be attracted to the gospel.
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1 Corinthians 10:24

Published on October 26, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:24 "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
 
24Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
The Corinthians were very conscious of their personal rights, but Paul challenged them to not become self-oriented but others-oriented. We are to become oriented to the good of others.
PRINCIPLE: Committed Christians should be more interested in the good of the other person than in their own rights.
APPLICATION: The well-being of other believers should be a priority of a committed believer. Exercise of liberty is of secondary importance. Placing the good of another person above our own is an indication of God’s touch upon our lives.
Most Christians are concerned about their own personal success, which is a terrific indictment against Christians today. We think of everything in reference to how it will affect us. It is all about “me first.” Self-interest is not our true purpose. The Word of God challenges this attitude; we must not revert to this kind of thinking:
Je 45: 5 “And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”
Ph 2: 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4Let each of you lookout not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Most of us think in terms of self. “I am not appreciated like I should be.” “I am not recognized like I ought to be.” We allow our feeling to get hurt and we wear our feelings on our sleeve. We are great at looking out for ourselves, because we want to get some credit, some popularity, and we want recognition for what we do.
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1 Corinthians 10:23

Published on October 25, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 2 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:23 "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify."
 
In 6:12 Paul made the point that all things are lawful but not all things are beneficial. Now in 10:23ff he makes the point that “beneficial” is not merely beneficial to self but beneficial to others.
Paul grants the point that there are things in connection with idol practice that are not wrong. He now suggests the test of what is practical or beneficial to help the Corinthians in making their decisions about eating food offered to idols. There are clearly immoral things wrong with idol worship, but there are some things that are not clearly wrong.
In those areas where it is not clearly wrong, a believer must use as the test the principle of whether it edifies. Paul will show that food offered to idols but sold in the marketplace is alright to eat. He had eaten this food himself (9:19-23). It is important to distinguish between nonessentials and essentials, between absolutes and non-absolutes.
23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful;
Anything that the Scripture does not explicitly state as sinful is “lawful.” Paul speaks of the gray areas where the Bible does not make unambiguous statements. The word “helpful” means expedient. This word literally means to bring together, to be profitable, expedient, advantageous, appropriate. The action may not be wrong, but it may be below the dignity of a child of God. It may be a weight rather than a sin. This is about more than what is wrong, it is a question of whether it is right from a practical viewpoint.
all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
“Edify” means to build up, to strengthen. The idea is that Christians are to build into the lives of others like a contractor erects a building. Freedom at the expense of others is not beneficial to self.
PRINCIPLE:  The principle of love that produces profitability or benefit, not self-gratification, should underlie our decision making as believers. 
APPLICATION:  This verse puts a knife into selfishness. The principle of love motivates the believer to act in a way that benefits or edifies others. The Christian life transcends the self. This life is more than self-indulgence. Christians have the opportunity to use their freedom for God’s glory. Living our lives to the benefit of others is an indication of spiritual maturity.
Christians need to live with each other graciously, especially when it comes to the gray areas of Christianity. There will always be areas where Christians differ, with integrity. These are the areas where we sometimes find the greatest conflict among believers, but where there should be the least conflict. Gray areas are more about personality or policy preference rather than the principles of the Word of God. This is where love should enter into the situation. We have dozens of issues like that in the church today.
There are two extremes when it comes to this issue:
  1. Some say, “I don’t care or give two hoots on a shoe horn what anyone says about what I do; I’ll do as I please. I operate on the principle of grace and am free to do as I please.” This attitude almost approaches antinomianism (lawlessness) or spiritual anarchy.
  2. There are people who live in a spiritual straight jacket. They are afraid to sneeze without a sense of guilt.
We find both extremes in local churches today.
When we want something so badly that it interferes with helping others, then we are in danger of a form of idolatry. Idolatry is anything that interferes with giving glory to God. Note the last verse in the chapter:
1 Co 10: 31Therefore,whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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1 Corinthians 10:18-22

Published on October 24, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:18 "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20Rather, 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. 21You 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. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?"
 
The first warning had to do with the inconsistency of idol worship and worship of God. Verses 19 to 22 make up the second warning of this chapter – a warning about participating in temple feasts of pagans. Demons are behind all pagan religious feasts.
18Observe Israel after the flesh:
Paul wanted the Corinthians to look at “Israel after the flesh,” that is, the physical nation Israel.
Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
Those Israelites who ate sacrifices of the altar were in solidarity or in identity with the altar by eating the sacrifices. Jews who ate sacrifices off the altar were one with the altar. Christians who eat of the altar express unity with Christ and each other. Christians who eat sacrifices offered to pagan gods are one with those gods. There is an intimate relationship between us and the food we eat because the food becomes part of us. The altar in the Old Testament speaks of the cross in the New Testament.
Anyone who partakes of the altar shares in the results of the cross – eternal salvation. There is only one altar or one way of salvation. Those who participate in other religions violate the object of their faith – the slain Lord Jesus Christ. The glory always goes to Jesus Christ in Christianity. Eating is a non-meritorious system of appropriation because there is no merit in faith itself. There is no value of faith in itself; the value lives in the object of our faith. The Lord’s supper/table is a memorial to our salvation. In the Old Testament there was a lamb slain, and in the New Testament the Lamb of God was slain.
19What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
The Corinthians argued for going to pagan feasts, so Paul now gives his arguments against implied worship of idols this involves. Sacrifice to idols was not worship of genuine gods, because they were just material objects of wood or stone. Pagan gods have no supernatural power, but they represent supernatural powers. Whatever is offered to idols represents something symbolically.
20Rather,
The word “rather” is strong adversative. It is a denial of the thesis of verse 19. It is true that idols do not exist, but what they represent does exist.
that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God,
Idols represent the demonic. There is only one Devil but many demons. Demons operate under the authority of the Devil. When Gentile pagans sacrifice to demonic idols, they show their solidarity with those idols. Satan is always behind false religion. Although idols are not real, they do represent satanic evil.
and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
If a Christian worships in a pagan setting by eating meat offered to idols, he shows solidarity with the demonic realm. The word “fellowship” means congeniality of mind, community of interest, things in common. Fellowship with demons means to have things in common and community. Worship in non-Christian religions is no neutral activity but sacrifice to demons.
21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons;
Belief in the Lord and belief in other religions are mutually exclusive.  The word “cannot” indicates the stark difference. The cup of libation poured out to the gods was a consecration to those gods.
Christians can be influenced by demons but not possessed by demons. However, we are not impervious from demonic power. By participation in religion without the Word of God, we undergo influence of demons.
you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
From God’s viewpoint, it is irreconcilable to participate in the Lord’s table and the table of demons (pagan festivals) because Christians would show solidarity with demons by doing so. The “Lord’s table” is the communion service. It denotes all that God provided for believers in Christ on the ground of His death. At the Lord’s table we remember the Lord’s death. People who belong to the Lord commemorate His death. We identify ourselves with the Lord and His people when we participate in communion. God’s people are our crowd in contradistinction to people who do not know Him. There is a unity by virtue of the blood of the Lamb. Partaking of the table of demons is partaking of their sacrifices as a result of influence by demons.
22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?
The third warning is against provoking the Lord to jealousy by dividing our loyalty between Him and something else. God does not tolerate competition, because He is absolute. Playing around with paganism or demonism or false religion will incur God’s discipline. Idolatry is a rejection of the mutually exclusive truth of Christianity. We cannot two-time God. Legitimate jealousy is a good thing. God is always jealous of people who commit spiritual adultery with false religion.
Are we stronger than He?
Does the Christian think that he can play with the idolatry of religion and not incur the wrath of God? We cannot contest Him. God will not put up with rivals to His glory.
PRINCIPLE: What we believe is what we are.
APPLICATION: People say, “What you eat is what you are.” The Christian counterpart to that is, “What you believe is what you are.” False religion is the Devil’s system for misleading Christians from the truth. There is only one truth, not multiple truths in a pluralistic society that mutually contradict each other. Therefore, we cannot have it both ways. The Devil is a liar and the father of lies (John8:44), and his chief weapon is deception through religion. Behind all false religion is the enemy who will destroy us by religion.
Idolatry conflicts with our identity in Christ and so incurs the wrath of God. We live out our identity in Christ, so if we identify with something other than Him, then we will live that kind of life. The Christian life and the life of demons are mutually exclusive. No Christian can participate in demon activity with impunity. Christianity cannot be a mere religious hobby to us. No Christian can dip his flag or lower his colors by accommodating what he believes to another religion. Christians are all one big loaf of bread in unity with the Lord Jesus. We cannot inject other religious beliefs into that relationship. Compromise of truth and credence to other religions always weakens our faith. If we compromise truth, we had better check our insurance policy to see if it is up to date.
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1 Corinthians 10:14-17

Published on October 23, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:14 "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The 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? 17For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread."
 
Paul concludes his discussion of the balance between liberty and love through the remainder of this chapter. This section deals with the issue of eating meat offered to idols, whether through heathen ritual practice (10:14-22), by procuring it in the meat bazaar (10:25-26), or accepting a dinner invitation from anon-Christian (10:27-28).
There are two commands in verses 14 to 24:
  1. Flee from idolatry, 14:14
  2. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being, 14:24.
The conclusion of the argument from verses eight to ten revolves around these two commands – the dangers of:
  1. License
  2. Legalism
14Therefore,
“Therefore” begins to sum up the argument beginning with chapter eight on the balance between liberty and love. Chapter 10 warns about inherent dangers of our freedom in Christ. Given all the arguments from chapter eight until 10:14, we now come to the conclusion.
my beloved,
Paul appeals to his love for the Corinthians. He bases his reprimand on love, not anger. They were beloved to Paul, albeit with their array of problems. They also criticized him more than any other church (2 Corinthians).They were carping and carnal, but he loved them nevertheless.
flee from idolatry.
Flight from idolatry is absolute, for there are no exceptions to this. Participation in paganism is a major violation of Christian principle. It was possible for the Corinthians to revert into paganism because of pagan temple worship. He explains this danger in succeeding verses. Fleeing idolatry meant fleeing from the immorality associated with idolatry of the first century. The Temple of Aphrodite was the most exciting place in town. Today, there are sexual idols all around us, as well. Anything we worship is an idol, including sex. An idol is anything of ultimate significance to us. Idolatry is making anything more important than God.
15I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
Paul appeals to the logic of the Corinthians as “wise men” who can make judgments about the wisdom of what he has to say. He speaks to them as if they can understand the force of his argument.
16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
The words “cup of blessing” was a common Jewish expression for the last cup of wine drunk at a festive meal. It was a toast to God for His goodness. Christians give thanks because of the symbol – we share in the benefits of blood of Christ. The communion table is a symbol of our fellowship with the Lord. He is the fountainhead of unity among believers. We share together the essence of Christianity – our salvation.
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The “bread” represents the slain body of Christ for our sins. We participate in the “communion” of the body of Christ. “Communion” is fellowship with the Lord. The reality must precede the symbol. A believer must be in fellowship with the Lord before partaking. The only person who can prepare you for communion is yourself.
17For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
All Christians share their common salvation (“one”) at the Lord’s table. We use symbols to represent that salvation. A picture represents someone we love, but it is not the person; it only represents the reality. When we partake of the bread and cup, we remember the reality. The sacrificed body and shed blood represent the penalty Christ paid for our sin.
Paul is in the process of contrasting the Lord’s communion table with the devil’s communion table. The Lord’s communion table is a symbol of the essence of Christianity. We cannot have it both ways. We must choose one or the other, for the Lord does not tolerate spiritual adultery.
PRINCIPLE: Idolatry is to put anything in the place of God.
APPLICATION: Idolatry is to put anything in the place of God. Anything that is more important to us than God is an idol. We cannot mix service to the Lord with serving money. They are mutually exclusive. Are we willing to let go of anything as soon as God says so?
Matthew 6: 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Once we divide our loyalty, we diminish the Lord’s greatness. We imply that the Lord lacks in something. If we do not have a proper view of God everything else becomes distorted. Idolatry is putting anything in the place of God: any habit, any person, any occupation, any philosophy. God is jealous for His glory and He will not allow any retreating from it.
Isaiah 48: 11For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.
Covetousness is idolatry.
Co 3: 5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
We live in a day when the average believer does not know enough doctrine to come in out of the rain. As a result, he is a sucker for false doctrine that comes along.
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1 Corinthians 10:13

Published on October 22, 2002 in 1 Corinthians. 0 Comments
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1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
 
13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
Temptations are the common experiences of every believer. It is encouraging to know that God deems temptation a common experience among Christians. No one is exempt from solicitation to evil. Temptations are not peculiar to us. There is nothing unique about our temptations. We are not the only one who ever went through that temptation. We say, “No one ever had such loss as I have had. I grieve over that mate who left me. That wayward child distresses me deeply. No one had such financial loss as me.”
Everyone has turn at these things. We have all been slandered and misrepresented. We have gone through those half-truths and innuendos. We all get a little of this before we die. Misery likes company! We get our heaven at the end of life, not during this life. All the hell that Christians will ever know is right now. It will be here, not hereafter. All the pain, suffering, crying, gossip, trouble, we experience here. All trouble we have is ordinary, not unusual. It is ordinary because everyone has it. We cannot get through life without trouble.
but God is faithful,
All temptations are under God’s control and personal involvement. Spiritual failure is avoidable. We face financial difficulty but God is faithful. We are hospitalized but God is faithful. God is faithful no matter what happens to me. Sunshine or rain, peace or pain, God is faithful. God is faithful to His Word. He will never let us down if we belong to Him. God will send us into the fire but He will bring us through. That is where our faith comes in. Whatever our trouble, whatever our trial, He will see us through it because of His immutable character.
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
God personally intervenes by His providence, and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to handle. The point is not that the Christian can reach a point of sinlessness, but that God knows how much pressure we can take. He knows the straw that breaks the camel’s back. God will stretch us spiritually but not beyond our ability to bear it. Temptation is an opportunity to grow in our faith.
but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
In God’s providence, He personally makes a way of escape from temptation so that the Christian does not have to fall into sin. God specially designs a way of escape. The definite article” the” before both “temptation” and “way of escape” points to a particular escape. However, if we intentionally put ourselves in the way of temptation, then we put God to the test – and this is sin. But for every temptation allowed by God, He provides an answer. It’s like taking a test with the answers in the back! We draw enough grace for each situation.
that you may be able to bear it.
God provides the way of escape. It is God’s purpose to constantly test our volition in relation to Him. Every decision we make in God’s will demonstrates that Satan was out of line in his fall.
PRINCIPLE: There is always divine provision for temptation.
APPLICATION: The thing that makes the difference is not what we do about our temptation but what God can do about it. God is immutable. God knows that we all have different capacities to deal with problems. God designs every temptation for blessing and spiritual growth. God is faithful in testing and temptation. The great issue in it all is the character of God; He is immutable and faithful to His promises. God loves the believer who is out of fellowship as much as the believer in fellowship. He is faithful to both. When someone rebuffs us as humans, we want to reject him, but God never rejects us. God never blows his stack and so has to cool down later. He is always the same, so He can be nothing but faithful.
There are three lessons about temptation:
1. Temptation is common to every person, so there is no temptation that is unique. No one can hide behind the argument that his sin is unique and so he can be excused.
2. God controls the context of our temptation. We Christians are not alone in our temptation and can draw on God to deliver us.
3. God personally and providentially provides a specific way of escape.
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