1 Corinthians 10:13-22
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.
Flee from Idolatry
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 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?
17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
20 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.
21 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.
22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
Context
- How does overconfidence leave us vulnerable to temptation? (1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
Reflection
- What’s the difference between a test and temptation? (Psalm 66:10, Luke 4:1, 2, James 1:2-4, 12-16, 1 Peter 4:12, 13)
- How does v.14 describe the best way of escape? (Genesis 39:7-12, Mark 14:38, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 John 5:22)
- What is idolatry? Why is it so evil? (Exodus 20:3-6, Psalm 106:28, Romans 1:21-23, Colossians 2:18, Revelation 9:20)
- How does a ‘wise man’ see the Lord’s supper in stark contrast with unholy idol feasts? (Deuteronomy 32:17, 18, Matthew 26:26-29, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 12:12, 27, Ephesians 1:22, 23, 4:15, 16)
Testimony Time
- What idols in my life provoke God to jealously-how must they be destroyed and fled from? (Philippians 3:19, 1 Timothy 6:10, James 4:1-10, 1 John 5:21)
- How does Jesus identify with and carry me through temptation? (Psalm 103:13, 14, Luke 11:4, Hebrews 4:14, 15, 5:2, 3)
“Idols in our hearts are like weeds in our garden, they start out small, but can grow to choke out all the joy in our life.“ ~ Chip Ingram