Warnings from Israel's Past

(Numbers 16:41-50; Numbers 25:1-5)

1For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and all were baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of a spiritual rock which followed [them]: (now the rock was the Christ;) 5yet God was not pleased with the most of them, for they were strewed in the desert.

6But these things happened [as] types of us, that we should not be lusters after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt the Christ, as some of them tempted, and perished by serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them [as] types, and have been written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. 12So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has taken you but such as is according to man's nature; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able [to bear], but will with the temptation make the issue also, so that [ye] should be able to bear [it].

Flee from Idolatry

(Exodus 20:22-23; Leviticus 19:1-8)

14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to intelligent [persons]: do ye judge what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not [the] communion of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not [the] communion of the body of the Christ? 17Because we, [being] many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf. 18See Israel according to flesh: are not they who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar? 19What then do I say? that what is sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20But that what [the nations] sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. Now I do not wish you to be in communion with demons. 21Ye cannot drink [the] Lord's cup, and [the] cup of demons: ye cannot partake of [the] Lord's table, and of [the] table of demons. 22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Do All to the God's Glory

23All things are lawful, but all are not profitable; all things are lawful, but all do not edify. 24Let no one seek his own [advantage], but that of the other. 25Everything sold in the shambles eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake. 26For the earth [is] the Lord's and its fulness. 27But if any one of the unbelievers invite you, and ye are minded to go, all that is set before you eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake. 28But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake; 29but conscience, I mean, not thine own, but that of the other: for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I spoken evil of for what I give thanks for?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all things to God's glory. 32Give no occasion to stumbling, whether to Jews, or Greeks, or the assembly of God. 33Even as I also please all in all things; not seeking my own profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.