“If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:30-31)
In the midst of his discussion about the believer’s freedom in Christ in 1 Corinthians 10, the apostle Paul alludes to the purifying power of thankfulness. Paul has just finished exhorting the Corinthians that it was permissible for them to eat anything sold in the meat market (v 25). They were concerned that the meat they were purchasing had been offered in sacrifice to false gods (demons) before being sold and therefore was spiritually defiled. Having just come out of paganism, the Corinthians believers were anxious to leave behind their former sinful practices. But Paul reassures them they have freedom (“everything is permissible” – v 23) and that they need not fear (“the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” – v 26). He never says the food isn’t defiled, he simply points to the greatness of God and the attitude which purifies the food. And what is that attitude? Thankfulness.
Paul says, in effect, if you’re grateful for what you’ve received, your thankfulness has a purifying power (“If I take part in the meal with thankfulness.. do all to the glory of God.” – v 30). Elsewhere Paul writes, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1Timothy 4:1-5).
Paul says that thanksgiving combined with the word of God and prayer has a purifying power. It overcomes the demonic by consecrating the meal to God — that is making it holy unto the Lord by setting it apart for God and his purpose. Thanksgiving has the power to change that which is unclean or unholy into that which is good and pure. Why does this matter for us? Because the principle extends beyond food sacrificed to demons. Every situation in your life in which you find other powers at work besides the power of God, can be consecrated to him through thanksgiving. By giving thanks to God in all situations, our enemy is dislodged and we are established in God’s goodness and divine purpose for our lives. Instead of becoming unhinged by an adverse situation, thankfulness enables you to hold on to the truth of God’s goodness particularly when you are tempted to believe otherwise. Remember that your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1Peter 5:8). Thankfulness removes the devil’s “teeth” and reestablishes your faith in almighty God.
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