that are called gods. The Gentile Christians to whom Paul was writing had, before their conversion, worshiped many “gods” in heaven and “lords” on earth. These were really personified forces of nature in their description, but the whole system was actually energized by demonic spirits. It was difficult for new Christians to free their minds from the power these demonic spirits had exerted over them, it is just as difficult today for new Christians to free their thinking of the similar evolutionary presuppositions with which they had been indoctrinated.

all things. In contrast to both the evolutionary pantheism of the ancient pagans and the evolutionary atheism of modern intellectuals, the testimony of both Scripture and all true science is that there is only one true God of creation, who created all things, including ourselves, by His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, all idols—whether wooden representations of the forces of nature and the evil spirits that influence them, or the philosophical constructs of modern humanists—are in reality “nothing in the world” (1 Corinthians 8:4).

while the world standeth. See Romans 14:21. Even though idols are nothing in themselves, and therefore meat sold after being offered in an idol's temple is no different from other meat, the association with a false demon-inspired religious system made it difficult for new converts from that system to have any connection with it without being influenced by it. Thus Paul admonishes more mature Christians to avoid all such associations themselves out of consideration for the consciences of these younger believers. Even though this particular problem does not face Christians today, the principle of governing our behavior in consideration of others is certainly as relevant as ever.