Accursed Objects

It is written:

“So, am I saying that sacrifices to idols are the same as those Jewish sacrifices? No, because an idol is nothing, and the things offered to idols are worth nothing. But I am saying that when food is sacrificed to idols, it is an offering to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to share anything with demons.”. (1 Corinthians 10:19-20)

Paul warned the Christians at Corinth about being influenced with demonically accursed objects. While he understood that an idol by itself is nothing, he still pointed out that there is a connection between occult objects and demons.

“Nevertheless, Paul went on to affirm some kind of real existence for these gods, noting, “indeed there are many `gods’ and many `lords’ ” (8:5). In one sense he did believe in the existence of other “gods” and “lords,” but in a qualitatively different way than those who worshiped these beings. Paul will later contend that the images represent demons (10:20-21) and not true divinities; they are not to be thought of on the same level as the one God. In another sense, however, they are real gods and lords in that they are subjectively believed to be such by those who worship them;” they are “real” to their worshipers….Paul later contended that there is a close connection between idolatry atry and demonic activity. He argued, “Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons” (10:19-20). In Paul’s mind there are indeed supernatural beings associated with pagan idolatry-the the powers of darkness! In the span of two verses Paul used the word demon four times. He saw demons as the actual recipients of the sacrificed meat (10:20). By eating and drinking in the pagan temples, the Corinthians were drinking “the cup of demons” and eating at “the table of demons” (10:21). In essence they were having “fellowship” (koinonia) with demons, a fellowship that should be reserved for their relationship to Christ alone (1:9). Communion with the Lord Jesus at his table should completely replace participation at the table of demons. mons. For Paul, then, there was an intensely demonic character to pagan religions in general.” (Clinton Arnold, Powers Of Darkness, 94-95 (Kindle Edition); Downers Grove, Illinois; InterVarsity Press)

Paul’s teaching here would have been familiar to those Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures, for such was a common theme throughout those inspired Writings (Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Psalm 106:37-38). The belief that demons were connected with idols is displayed in the second century B.C. Document known as the book of Jubilees:

Jubilee 11:4-5-4. And they made for themselves molten images, and they worshipped each the idol, the molten image which they had made for themselves, and they began to make graven images and unclean simulacra, and malignant spirits assisted and seduced (them) into committing transgression and uncleanness. 5. And the prince Mastêmâ exerted himself to do all this, and he sent forth other spirits, those which were put under his hand, to do all manner of wrong and sin, and all manner of transgression, to corrupt and destroy, and to shed blood upon the earth.

Christians should be aware of the connections between demons and occult related objects.