Raise the Standard
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8
“And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend,” 1 Corinthians 8:11–13.
Raise the Standard
Father God, we give you glory, honour, and adoration. Lord, we pray that you help us never to abandon our walk with you. Give us the grace to acknowledge that you are the one true God, to hold your standard, and to never compromise in the name of Jesus.
First Corinthians 8:1–10 says, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are sacrificed unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 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. 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. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 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.”
This passage is calling us to affirm the truth that there is only one God. There are gods created by men, empowered by men to cause others to fear them. My purpose is to affirm that there is only one God. This passage also concerns our association with idols, which can cause people who are not as strong to think that it is okay to feast at the table of idols.
Some people practice mixed religions and cultures, as well as Christianity. When they are in cultural settings, they comply with practices contrary to the Word. When they are in Christian settings, they go to church and pray and mingle with the brethren. If God be God, serve Him alone; do not make other people think compromise is okay. If you are a child of God it is time for you to walk circumspectly. You cannot be identified with God and with idols simultaneously. Choose whom you will serve. “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, Joshua 24:15. I pray that this will be your affirmation.
Today, Christianity is challenged with abominations that are presented as normal. I pray that God will deliver all who are in bondage to contrary spirits and practices that have become accepted by the world. If you are a Christian, you know the Word: do not compromise because of the world and its social positions. God may wink at the ignorant sinner because he or she does not know better. By affirming what is negative, you cause confusion among those who look at you as someone who knows the truth.
If you affirm and socialize with idolatory, others might think it is okay to do the same and fall by your example. I pray that you rescue the perishing, that you lift up the standard and hold on to it, not in self-righteousness, not in condemnation but by holding up the standards of God. Say to the confused world, right is right, good is good, and God is God alone.
Holy Father, we have defiled the conscience of those who are looking at leaders as standard-bearers because we have compromised with the world. We pray that you give us the grace to hold the standard of what is biblically correct; that we not comply with what is politically or socially correct. Help us to hold the standard without condemnation that will drive people away. Help us to show that we hold it not because we are powerful and have willpower, but because we are in Christ: because the Spirit of God is the one who constrains and preserves, and makes pure. If you think you are righteous in your own power, think again. All that you are, every good thing in you, is by the grace of God. If you are saved and preserved by grace, preserve others by your example so that your light will eliminate their darkness.
Prayer Points:
O Lord, deliver us from compromise, from idols and from causing others to derail by our compliance with the world. You cannot raise the standard without first submitting to the Holy Spirit. If you have never given your life to Jesus pray, “Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. Write my name in the book of life and give me the grace to work in the standard of the Word. Give me the grace to be filled with your Spirit, to work in your Spirit, and to be led by your Spirit. Make me a son of God so that I may shine as the light in my generation to raise your standard and point the way to those who are in darkness and need direction in Jesus’ name.” Amen.
