Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 10:14–22
God had Paul warn the Christians in Corinth—and this warning remains relevant for all Christians today—to guard against any kind of idolatry. God wants all of His children to flee from the worship of any kind of idols. God had Paul use the example of the Lord’s Supper. We must realize that when we take the cup at the Lord’s Supper, it serves as a reminder that we share in the blood of Christ, which has purified us from all sin. When we partake of the bread at the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that it represents the body of Christ, which was broken for us so that we might be made holy before God the Father. Then, God had Paul remind us all that though the body of Christ is composed of many, we are still one body, for we are the body of Christ. The people of Israel were also united by partaking of the sacrifices at the altar of God. Now, because the Corinthians had asked about eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols, God used Paul to tell them that those sacrifices were offered to demons because there were no other gods that existed. God never wants His children participating in anything tied to demons. God had Paul remind all Christians that none of us can drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, nor can anyone both eat the Lord’s Supper and sit at the table of demons. We never want to awaken the Lord’s jealousy, for no one is stronger than God.
Challenge & Application
What must we guard against as Christians and why?
Why should we guard against awakening the Lord’s jealousy or loving discipline? (See Hebrews 12:5–11 for help.)
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!