SYNCRETISM FORBIDDEN – PASTOR W.F KUMUYI
KEY VERSE: “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” – 1 Corinthians 10:21
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:14-30 (KJV)
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
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?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
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.
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.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
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.
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:
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29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
Human beings are often presented with many ideologies and belief systems of the world that tend to influence their lives and eventual destinies. One of this is syncretism, a system of belief that reconciles or fuses different ideas and practices. It attempts to combine different worldviews and various schools of thought as a unified belief system, which has made people in societies more confused and legalistic rather than being liberated.
In our text, the apostle explained to the Corinthian believers that their conversion experience had united them with the body of Christ, typified by being partakers of the Lord’s Supper. He then pointed out that “the things (food) the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.” Therefore, he taught that believers must flee from all forms of identification with idol worship. Mixing idolatry with the faith in Christ is an aberration, and God forbids it.
Paul urged the believers to eat without asking questions about the source of the food so as not to defile their consciences. But he also cautioned that food known to have been sacrificed to idols should not be touched by believers so they do not become partakers of the table of devils while also dining at the Lord’s table and, in the process, become stumbling blocks to brethren who are still weak in faith.
God forbids all forms of idolatry and we must never attempt to mix it with the true worship of the Lord. Believers must shun syncretism like a plague. All old ideologies and idolatrous practices must be purged out of our hearts so that our worship will be acceptable to God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Like water and oil, Christianity and idolatry are strange bedfellows.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
1 Kings 8