1 Corinthians 10:1-22

It may sound odd to talk about idolatry in the present since none of us bow to worship physical idols like the Israelites did, for example, to the golden calf that Aaron made for them. At least I hope none of us do! In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul writes to the church in Corinth and warns them to “flee idolatry,” but Paul is not just saying “don’t worship physical idols,” he is counseling them to avoid putting anything in a place of honor or devotion above God.

Martin Luther surmised that if we could keep from breaking the first two commandments – “Have no other gods before me” and “Do not make for yourself any carved image” – we wouldn’t have a problem breaking the other eight since each one is an end result of putting something or someone is a position of importance above God. Idolatry is not simply another sin, it is the underlying root cause of all sin. This is why Paul doesn’t simply write a letter to the people of Corinth with a list of sins to avoid. He shows them the principle, the key to avoiding sin – he goes for the root, and that root is idolatry.

We practice idolatry whenever we put something or someone in the place of God as the source of our contentment. So when Paul tells us to “flee idolatry” he is both telling us what our way of escape is and offering us a course of prevention – flee idolatry…. don’t get started… don’t let roots form… Of course fleeing idolatry does not mean we avoid everything. We can enjoy all the good things God has created as long as we don’t allow them to become replacements for God.

It’s easy to see everyone else’s idols, but what are the idols in your life? Is it a car or a sports team or a band? Is it a person or a possession? Is it being thought highly of? Is it your own ego?

It’s a question worth answering.

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Michael Krahn (michael.krahn@gmail.com) is a husband, father, Pastor, writer, and recording artist who enjoys books, theology, technology and the Ottawa Senators.
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