How we live out our lives either worships God, something or someone else, or even ourselves. When God is worshipped, He is glorified, and it is for our good. When we put ourselves or something else first instead of God, God isn't glorified, and it is to our harm. Today we are reflecting on the idols we struggle with in our lives and how to give God the glory in whatever we do. 

1 Corinthians 10

Warning Against Idolatry

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Describe your favorite meal. 

2. Read 1 Corinthians 10. 

3. How can food be used to worship God? How can it become an idol? 

4. How can technology be used to give glory to God? How is it used to bring self-glory? 

5. Too many of us appear to be living with very little margin when it comes to the use of our time. How does the use of our time reflect our worship of God? How does it reflect our worship of that which is evil, of the world, or even self-worship? 

6. Paul writes, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13). How have you experienced God’s faithfulness despite your sin and selfishness? How can you bring more glory to God in your life as you eat, work, live, learn, and play even today?

For Families with Kids 

1. Read and memorize 1 Corinthians 10:31. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

2. How we live out our lives either worships God or worships ourselves. When God is worshipped, He is glorified, and it is for our good. When we put ourselves first, God isn’t glorified, and it is to our harm. It all depends on what we do with the things God gives us here in His creation to bless us. How can time be used to worship God? How is it used when we worship ourselves?