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Idols – Day 23

1 Corinthians 10:14

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

The Thought

A simple command from Paul to the Corinthian church. Something that many of us could say to our earthly friends and family today, if we were brave enough! Many of us are not bold enough to tell someone we know, that their lifestyle is guaranteeing their place in Hell!

How much do we really care?

The previous verse tells us that whatever we are tempted to do that we know is not right, God will provide a way out so that we can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). For most of us, finding a way out is not too much of a problem, we all know that God is there, but being strong enough to resist temptation when all around us friends and family are enjoying their sin, and making idols of themselves in giving in to wrong desires, or “following the crowd.” That is the difficulty!

These verses follow a list of some of the sins that the Israelites committed during their desert wanderings: setting their hearts on evil things, being idolaters, revelry, sexual immorality, and grumbling (verses 7-10) and later comes a word of warning: So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall (verse 12)!

Later in this chapter Paul responds to an imaginary conversation with one of the people he is writing to, giving good advice to his readers.

Action

Read 1 Corinthians 10 today and think about the modern day equivalents of the things Paul advises his readers to avoid.

Look first at your own life and confess any idolatry, before thinking of others.

Pray for those you know who are “on the wrong road”, that you will not come across as being judgemental or critical, but as one who cares for them as Jesus does.

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