Being a Faithful Witness of the Lord
We thank you, Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, for our many trials, which provide us opportunities to exercise our faith and learn to discern good from evil. May our eyes be opened to see and remain watchful for the snares of the world’s idols that are everywhere in these last days.
We are commanded to abstain from idols and not to eat meat that is offered in sacrifice to them. These are spiritual terms we come to understand so we may walk perfectly before our Lord. Our abstaining from such activity was the key instruction in the Apostle’s letter to the Gentiles on how to conduct themselves in the faith.
Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Before addressing the specific Scriptures that gave rise to the questions regarding idols and eating meat offered unto them, let us lay the foundation for what an idol and meat represent and what is meant by the meat being sacrificed or offered unto an idol.
What is Meat?
Meat is knowledge and what we believe, be it positive or negative. In the negative sense, as in this discussion, meat offered unto idols is knowledge apart from the Commandments. The Commandments are the knowledge of God, the meat of Jesus Christ that keeps us from destruction and brings salvation.
Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Eating the meat of the world’s knowledge can be many things, any interest or topic, but by default, it is all carnal dialogue and conversation with the Lord’s Commandments absent. This dialogue is knowledge that, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. The mature in the faith are taking heed of our eating worldly meat, especially when in the presence of others, our brethren, whom we care for and always seek to edify and show by example how we are to walk.
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.
1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
As the people of God, we love our brothers and seek their welfare ahead of our own. A weaker brother could see us partaking of the knowledge of idols, and it is a poor witness for Christ to those young in the faith seeking to come out and be separate.
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;
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
What is an idol?
An idol is anything in our thoughtlife [heavens] or on our earth [our walk] that we esteem highly. It is our thoughts, our beliefs that drive our meditations and our deeds. We make an image of these idols, elevating them above the Commandments, and thus we worship them rather than God. We are forbidden to serve any other god or bow down to them, but only the Lord. We sacrifice and bow to an idol when we obey the idol rather than the Commandments.
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Perhaps the most famous idol is the golden calf made by Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. While Moses was away, they quickly turned aside from the Commandments, making an idol from their treasures, and worshipped it, despite being commanded not to do so. So it is today, as men make idols of many things that are highly esteemed in the world.
Exo 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’
We are admonished to take heed to abstain from idols throughout the Scriptures lest we fail to learn the lesson of Israel in the flesh and die in the wilderness. There is no life found in any idol; only Christ gives life. Anything but the Commandments is falsehood, and the pursuit of riches and knowledge allure men into this state of spiritual death.
Jer 51:17 Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
After entering the Promised Land, the snare of idols remains, and if one does not take heed, we are easily turned back to idols rather than obeying the Commandments.
Jdg 2:17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.
The spirit of Satan is the spirit of the carnal mind that tempts us through the lusts that live in our flesh to make many idols and seek our own glory, bowing down to Satan, versus obeying the Commandments. The temptations of Christ are our temptations that the faithful turn away from, so we do not worship any other god.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Those in the faith are commanded to flee from idolatry and be circumspect in how and what they eat. Creating and worshipping idols satisfies and keeps alive our fleshly desires. We keep the Commandments and do not provoke the Lord to jealousy. We eat the Commandments that are the Body of Christ and drink of His Blood by laying down our lives for each other.
1Co 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1Co 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
1Co 10:16 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?
Those in Christ are free, as the Truth has been given to us and now lives in us, and thus we have liberty to eat of the knowledge of idols. Eating meat sacrificed to idols is engaging in conversation, activity, and communion about worldly and carnal things that are not of Christ. Those in the faith are able to eat this knowledge, taking the spoils as the Gospel has been revealed unto us, and another man’s false god does not sway us. We, however, ask no questions.
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.
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,)
1Co 8:6 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.
Not every man has our knowledge of God; the mystery of the Gospel is hidden from their eyes. The Lord’s people sacrifice and bow only to the one true God by striving to obey the Commandments, which include being separated from the gods of this world. As a new creation, we eat differently than the world, thus the Commandment is to purge out the old food from our feasts and replace it with Christ. When we come together to break bread and eat at the Lord’s table in our assemblies, we are not doing it with those who are fornicators, or covetous, all of which is idolatry. This leaven entering in defiles the Lord’s table and corrupts us; and the Commandment is to separate from them.
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1Co 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Some young in faith, now with knowledge of idols and the Commandments, continue to eat the meat that is offered to an idol and thus remain weak and defiled. Their growth in Christ, in the Commandments, is stunted when they continue to consume meat that is offered unto idols.
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 mature man of Christ has put to death the lusts of the flesh and any desires that exalt themselves against the Commandments. No place is given for an idol to take root or remain in our hearts and minds. We eat the meat of someone else’s idols but are circumspect not to be overtaken by any.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Paul’s primary point of 1Cor 10 is to remind us of the destruction that came upon ancient Israel when they strayed from the Commandments and went back a whoring after idols they created from their own carnal reasoning. Those being saved keep their minds on the Lord and separate from fellowship with devils that are the lies, doctrines and beliefs contrary to the Commandments. We keep the table and food of the Lord pure and undefiled and diligently guard our gates.
1Co 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1Co 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Having been set free from the law of ordinances and now being justified by the faith of Christ living in us, we are free to go to worldly feasts and markets, but know it is not expedient to do so. We are cautious and on guard. We minimise our interactions and avoid further entanglement by asking no questions about the meat being offered and the idol to which it is offered. We ask no questions for their sake and instead follow the example of Christ and obey the Commandments. We are considered strange for not engaging in these worldly dissipations, but that is our appointment as the Lord’s witnesses.
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
When faith is come, we are the Lord’s witnesses and the light unto the world. Our interactions with everyone the Lord puts in our path are an opportunity and a test for us to be a witness for Christ, a witness to His Commandments.
Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
It is within the precious few saints that the power of Christ dwells, and the greater works are being performed now and in the age to come. We die for others as Christ died for us, meaning we put the welfare of our fellow brothers and sisters above our own.
When it is made known to us that the meat being offered is sacrificed to an idol, we refrain from partaking, and we do not eat of it. We instead witness for Christ and do not bring the one true God down to the level of the world’s idols. Knowing the knowledge and conversation is offered unto an idol, if we then eat of it, we are sinning against the Lord and potentially harming a weaker brother who sees us. We refrain from eating this meat and exit the conversation, the gathering, or whatever the circumstance is of the meat being offered. God’s people do not partake of open idolatry.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
We are free to eat the meat even knowing it is sacrificed to idols, but do not do it when it has been expressly revealed that it is offered unto an idol that is a false god. Why? Because when it is made known that the meat is offered to an idol, we become partakers of their idolatry. We make a stand and witness for Christ. Our partaking of this meat offered unto idols is sin and harms weaker brothers who have a weak conscience by virtue of their youth.
Rather than partake of this meat, we flee from evil and the open practice of idolatry. We do not eat in deference to others to be a witness for Christ and not create any obstacle that can delay or hinder a brother from coming to the knowledge of the Truth. Those with the Promise know there is but one true God, so the idols of men and the world are nothing to us, and thus we are not harmed by hearing of this conversation. We take every opportunity to set the example and give no reason for a brother to sin.
Christ tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Whatever we do, eating meat or not eating meat, we do it all for the glory of God to be revealed in ourselves and others. By not eating, we are doing it for the glory of God, not to delay the weaker brother from coming to the knowledge of the truth and obeying God. We are setting an example by our behaviour. If we engage in the same dissipations and gobble down the world’s meat that is contrary to the Commandments, we become a stumbling block for our brother. Instead, we bring glory to God and refrain from eating the meat of their carnal reasonings. We seek the spiritual profit, the salvation, of our brothers and eat not. We seek the profit of others that we may save some of them who see and hear our conversation.
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Those in the faith of Christ are now a living sacrifice for Christ. The life we live is no longer our own, as we have been redeemed to Christ. We lay down our lives and do what we need to do to bring forth the glory of God in all men. This includes not partaking of eating meat sacrificed to idols, where it is made known by those who eat. By openly partaking of this meat, we give a poor witness, so we do not eat of it so as not to cause our brother to stumble.
1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
We provide some high-level examples of situations in which we are not to eat meat offered to idols. We are keeping it brief, consistent with the Commandment not to ask questions or stir up lust for the sake of our brethren. Seek the Lord when you have these questions or ask a brother in private for counsel.
One day, we may find ourselves unexpectedly at a celebration of a special day the world holds in high esteem. The Lord’s people do not partake of this meat by excusing themselves and not participating in the rituals of their sacrifice. We do not attend pagan festivals to be a better witness for Christ. Called out from the world, we refrain from eating of this knowledge and its conversation.
Attending church services where the truth is not found is eating meat sacrificed unto the idol of a false Jesus. We come out of orthodox churches completely, as our participation creates an obstacle for others to draw near to the Living Gospel and begin to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
If a weaker brother tempts us by rationalising sin in the moment, we do not partake of it but rebuke them and stand for Christ. One may tempt us by saying, “I know we should not do this, but let’s do it anyway.” In such an example, the lusts of the flesh, disobedience are exalted to an idol above the keeping of Christ’s Commandments. We do not participate in this conversation, but we stand for Christ as faithful witnesses. A typical example by which many stumble is the Commandment not to gossip and speak evil of another man.
Another example is holding onto a false doctrine despite knowing the truth. An example of a false doctrine being idolised is when the idol of man’s definition of love conflicts with Godly love. It is painful and difficult to separate from brethren when commanded, despite the clear Commandments regarding antichrists and false brethren. To the natural man, this seems unloving, but to those in the faith, it is the Power of God separating the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats, and is confirmation that we are in the Lord’s hands. We please Christ rather than men, and this is done by obeying the Commands and not bowing down to an idol.
Lastly, there are a variety of worldly interests that, if not kept in subjection, can become idols. Pursuing these things distracts us from our focus on Christ. We do not squander our precious time but redeem it wisely.
Final Exhortations
Idolatry is everywhere, so we never fully escape it. We learn to walk the narrow road, navigating around it and not becoming snared in its deception and allure to our flesh. We are free to eat the meat that the world makes into idols, but are watchful and careful to avoid making them into idols ourselves. The Lord’s people are separated from these idols, and we lose our desire to touch the unclean.
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
When we come together as a Body to eat of the things of the Lord, our table cannot be mixed. We cannot eat at the Lord’s table at the same time we are eating at the table of devils, which is the table of idols. If we do not obey these Commandments, we become sick, weak, and fall asleep to the Commandments. We watch what we eat carefully and also guard our assemblies, so they do not become a feast where the meat of idols is mixed into our breaking of the Lord’s Bread and the meat of the Gospel.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
The Lord is long-suffering and patient with us to grow into maturity and put away all of these idols. The Lord does not tolerate the strong from teaching and seducing others to commit such fornication that is idolatry. Obey the Commandments, casting out the Jezebel Spirit within and without ourselves, keeping oneself pure.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
May these words encourage us to be vigilant like Gideon’s army and always be watching and ready for the enemy to appear. Those who become the army of God do not bow down on their knees to any idols. Soldiers for Christ do not mindlessly take things in; they remain alert and ready for the temptations that are promised to come.
Jdg 7:5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
Jdg 7:6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
We thank the Lord for raising the questions that led to this article. May all be edified and learn to be alert and discern the situation, choosing good over the evil of the world.
