WATER   (1Co 8:10) “For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;”  Our activities influence others, for they cannot see our hearts, only our outward actions. There are places a believer has no business being.

(1Co 8:8) “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. (9)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”  “Weak”: those who do not know that those idols are not gods. We are not to give reverence to them in any way. Did you know that the Lord is offended by those images? (Deu_7:25) “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.” Do you have any such images, pictures, around your house?

(Co 8:8) “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”  To this very day there are those who think themselves more holy and pleasing because they abstain from certain foods. In “all things” it is the heart first that the Lord is viewing. Are we keeping His Word as ascribed in the Epistles for non-Jews?

(1Co 8:7) “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.”  The person referred to here is not necessarily a Believer. We live in a day in which people believe many different things, for man is each making God a “god of the imagination”; not what He is as revealed in the Bible.

(1Co 8:5) “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) (6)  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”  Many false gods, many names, but only one true God Who gave His Son on the cross for you and me: (1Ti_3:16) “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

(1Co 8:4) “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”  The world thinks as long as you acknowledge God, He doesn’t care what you call Him, “We all worship God just by different names.”  No. No. There is only one way to worship God and that is “in truth”. He has revealed Himself throughout human history as it is recorded for all to read – the Bible. All others are called by Him, idols, false.

(1Co 8:4) “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”  Put with Verse One, those with knowledge have the ability to eat with pure conscience, for they are right in the knowledge it was offered in reality to “nothing”. Yet, there is a problem; there is someone judging: the person who sees it as being offered to a false god.

WATER  (1Co 8:3) “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”  The Bible teaches that when one loves as God would have them love, through the Holy Spirit, those loved will come first in our life. Does the Lord come first, even before yourself, in your life?

(1Co 8:2) “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”   Any knowledge that makes us think we are superior to a brother/sister has hurt us, not helped us. It certainty will not, no matter the outward sign, enhance the work of Christ. May the Lord shine a light upon our soul.

 (1Co 8:1) “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”  Not all embrace knowledge, or receive it as others. This has a tendency to lift us up in pride. Whereas God’s love (charity) seeks the good of others. The Holy Spirit’s love needs to rule in us over the knowledge we receive.