But in this post, we would like to address a common question that we often hear while discussing topics such as these.
The question is usually similar to the following…
“I am a Christian, should I stop drinking Monster energy drinks because of this?”
Sometimes Christians have a knee-jerk reaction to topics like this and will automatically answer the question above with a strong and confident “Yes”, but I would like to answer this question from a Biblical perspective using a worldly example.
Scenario: Plane crash in the Desert
Luckily, everyone survived the impact with only a few minor bumps and bruises.
When everyone gets out of the plane, they begin to check their telephone reception only to find that they have none. Furthermore everyone is hungry and thirsty, but the only food that could be found belonged to 1 of the passengers on his way home.
This included 10 cases of beef jerky and 10 cases of MONSTER energy drinks.
In an extremely rare scenario, lets assume that you have either 1 of 2 choices…
- Drink the Monster and Live
- Don’t drink, and Die
What would you do?
1 Corinthians 8: Idols in Corinth
Under these circumstances, I am certain that many of my readers would go ahead and grudgingly drink the energy drink if it would preserve their life.
And believe it or not, this is actually ok.
Howbeit they were not doing so as an act of worship to the idol, instead they were just eating the food.
Those that ate the food did so because they knew that it didn’t have any real significance because there is only 1 GOD.
Those who did NOT eat the food did so because they knew that the food had been offered unto devils and their conscience would be offended if they were to eat it.
This divide in opinion began to cause division in the Church, and when the word finally arrived to the apostle Paul — he wrote them a letter concerning the topic.
Here is an excerpt of that letter…
(1Co 8:1) Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
(1Co 8:2) And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
(1Co 8:3) But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
(1Co 8:4) As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
(1Co 8:5) For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
(1Co 8:6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
(1Co 8:7) Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
(1Co 8:8) But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
(1Co 8:9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
(1Co 8:10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
(1Co 8:11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
(1Co 8:12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
(1Co 8:13) Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
We know that an Idol is nothing:
Paul did an excellent Job not only addressing the topic, but also by unifying the brethren once again in the spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul clearly states that although we know that there is no other GOD in the world but one — there are some Christians who have not yet received this knowledge.
Therefore when they eat and drink things that have been offered unto idols, their conscience is “Defiled” (they feel bad).
Applying 1 Corinth. 8
Using the energy drink for example, we know that Satan is no god — therefore anything that anyone offers unto him is meaningless UNLESS it is coming from someone who is purposefully offering it to him.
As a Christian, I could drink a MONSTER energy drink if I wanted and it would have no meaning because I know the GOD that I worship and he knows me.
But if my brother or sister in Christ is unable to drink it without their conscience being defiled, then I have a responsibility to do whatever I can to strengthen that person.
However, it is not my place to judge that person because their conscience was offended by something that mine was not. We each grow in Christ at our own unique rate — furthermore, only GOD can create “growth” in his people.
So until that growth occurs in my brother, I will continue to love and support them until they come to the same knowledge as I have.
So if that means that I must never drink a MONSTER again then so be it, so long as my brother is not offended in his walk with Christ.
After all, why should I allow my liberty to cause my brother to fall whom Christ died for?
(1Co 8:9) “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”