The five verses we covered today – 1 Corinthians 8:4-8, really gave a “behind the scenes” look into the shadow government of Satan, and how it mirrors the government of God. The physical idols that were prevalent throughout the Greco-Roman world had no power in themselves. Paul, in Acts 17:22-31, confronted the philosophers on Mars Hill concerning this very issue. They had so many gods to cover everything they could possibly experience, and yet, those gods could not hear them, see them, nor speak to them.
Psalms 135:15-18 – The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
It is not the physical idols that have power, it is the multilayered government that is revealed in Ephesians 6:10-13 in four layers — wicked principalities – the first rank and order of Satan’s kingdom, powers – lesser positions of authority derived from the first and accountable to them. rulers of the darkness of this world – emperors of the dark state of things, spiritual wickedness in high places – Satan is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air. There is no greater spiritual wickedness anywhere!
Romans 14:17 clarifies where our focus should be – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
We are not to get so wrapped up in this world system and all of its offerings, but to keep our attention on eternal values. We are to set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth! Colossians 3:1-4.