1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Prideful Knowledge vs. Christlike : 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. 1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. • Question: Does my knowledge of God and my relationship with God cause me to look down on others? If so, how does Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for me challenge my pride? Idols and the One : 1 Corinthians 8:4-5 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1 Corinthians 8:6-8 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Personal Rights vs. for Others: 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 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? 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. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. Application: What are your ? We must know God : We must know Who God is, and what God provides: 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. Book to read: The Real God – Chip Ingram https://www.christianbook.com/real-longs-for-you-see-him/chip-ingram/9780801018893/pd/018891?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=christian-living-0-20%7C018891&p=1179710&utm_source=google&p=1229905&dv=c&cb_src=google&cb_typ=shopping&cb_cmp=1065616555&cb_adg=51462729079&cb_kyw=&utm_medium=shopping&snav=GMERCH&gbraid=0AAAAAD_dTHYuAwm84uSjK9DWSuDexxltB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_sq2BhCUARIsAIVqmQtoGfjVcFEoWCEQDXQIaGBe6UoAmqUOz14keXM2LlKhbvtpyW78mUIaAr61EALw_wcB We must know : Psalm 139:23–24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Be careful that your own does not become a stumbling block for others: