But if any man Say unto you, This is offered in Sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shown it, and for Conscience sake: for the Earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: - 1Co 10:28
What is the big deal about eating things offered to Idols?
Actually, Paul tends to deemphasize this practice specifically with respect to literal eating.
But is there something more going on than eating a piece of steak that the chef said a prayer over toward a false god?
I think so.
I believe it is a specific warning against Compromise.
When you 'go along' with anything that offends your Conscience you do two things:
- you weaken your Conscience
- you strengthen the Conscience of the Idol worshipper.
Obviously, both these things are damaging.
Let's make this a little less abstract an issue. For example, if you believe Abortion is morally wrong and you 'go along' with Federally funded Abortion you have in essence 'eaten things offered to Idols'.
How about another example: If you believe that God's Word is True and that His Word declares Homosexuality an Abomination, yet you 'go along' with same-sex marriage you have 'eaten things offered to Idols'.
Maybe my point still is not clear. The Word of God is Truth. Any deviation we take from it is worshipping an Idol. You can consider the Lie that you tolerate (swallow) as the thing offered to an Idol.
Compromise is Evil. God never does it. Jesus never did it. You should not either.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the Doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a Stumblingblock before the Children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit Fornication.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to Teach and to seduce my Servants to commit Fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. - Rev 2:14,20
Notice that Fornication and ThingsSacrificedToIdols are mentioned together. Compromise leads to Sexual promiscuity among other Evil things.
Stop 'going along' so that you can 'get along'. It is not Christ's way. It weakens you, making you ineffective.
We are Salt and Light. We are to be Pure in regards to the Truth.