The Dangers of Compromising Associations

1 Corinthians 10:1 KJV

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

Albert Barnes says of this,

"This verse, with the following illustrations, is properly connected in Paul’s argument with the statements which he had made in 1Corinthians 8:8, etc., and is designed to show the danger which would result from their partaking of the feasts that were celebrated in honor of idols. It is not improbable, as Mr. Locke supposes, that the Corinthians might have urged that they were constantly solicited by their pagan friends to attend those feasts; that in their circumstances it was scarcely possible to avoid it; that there could be no danger of their relapsing into idolatry; and their doing so could not be offensive to God, since they were known to be Christians; since they had been baptized, and purified from sin; since they were devoted to his service; since they knew that an idol was nothing in the world; and since they had been so highly favored, as the people of God, with so many extraordinary endowments, and were so strongly guarded against the possibility of becoming idolaters. To meet these considerations, Paul refers them to the example of the ancient Jews. They also were the people of God. They had been solemnly dedicated to Moses and to God. They had been especially favored with spiritual food from heaven, and with drink miraculously, poured from the rock. Yet notwithstanding this, they had forgotten God, had become idolaters, and had been destroyed. By their example, therefore, Paul would warn the Corinthians against a similar danger."

Present day believers might well use this lesson in a variety of applications such as:

• Why we shouldn't frequent places where drinking alcohol is promoted
• Why we shouldn't go to dances and other places where worldly living is flaunted or even
• Why we shouldn't attend services in churches of other faiths and practices

There is are dangers to such compromising associations.

First, it is not pleasing to God.

Secondly, it could lead to our own fall into sin.

Thirdly, it will certainly give others the impression that, even if you don't do these things yourself, you do approve of and condone them.