Obsessive disorder
We all know all about idol worshipping and the great commandment against it, commandment number 2 which states “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below” (Ex20:5). Idol worship is the extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. Obsessing over a one thing is hazardous it can become a disfunction known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We have always had a problem of wanting too much of one thing (pro25:27). And this church was settled with just knowing this about the commandment. But just having that knowledge is not enough, one has to act on restraining from obsessing, because it not only affects one but those around us. When we love God and those around us, we work not to allow our practices to affect our relationship. Not so with the brothers in the church of Corinth, because they figured since they were all friends the practice of eating foods offered to Idols was no big deal, everyone understood.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
This practice of eating foods offered to idols among the gentiles was no longer acceptable, because it was not an act of loving God. Paul was telling this church that just having the knowledge was reckless and it did nothing for the coming believers. But he that love on the other hand builds up and does not seek his own (1Co13:5-7). So, now the believer needed to watch out for those coming believers, even their very own friends, families and neighbors. Because now Paul said that this practice that they too freely practice was a stumbling block. It would affect those with weak conscience the eating of food sacrificed to idols (1Cor8:10). Jesus made reference to stumbling blocks when he spoke to the religious people those days and said that it was better to tie a millstone around their neck and drown (Mt18:6). It is of utmost series to make someone stumble, we can’t assume that people understand the product of our practices because they know us. The first thing that the Holy Spirit beings to work in us is our conscience healing it from all the hurts of life. And when we disregard the conscience of another person, we sin against them and Christ (1Cor8:11-12).
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 8:10
10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
Matthew 18:6
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
1 Corinthians 8:11-12
11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.