Dangerous Worship

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 Theme: Participating in sin is worshiping the devil. Key verses: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (v. 14) “And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? (v. 16b) “Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?” (v. 18b) “…the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealously? Are we stronger than he?” (v. 20-22) What God said to me: Dwayne, your sin angers me. I am a jealous God and will have no other gods before me. Yet, everytime you indulge in your petty sin (that so easily besets you), you in reality worship Satan. When you worship Satan, you turn your back on me completely. Like you read in Matthew Henry’s Commentary: “What a manifest self-contradiction must that man’s conduct be that would partake of the Lord’s table, and yet partake of the table of demons! God and mammon can never be served together, nor fellowship be at once had with Christ and Satan. Those who communicate with devils must virtually renounce Christ.” And then again, “God cannot endure a rival in matter of worship; nor give his glory, nor suffer it to be given, to another.” These are words pointed straight at you, my son. Yes, you are my child, and I will chasten you harsely if needed to correct you. And if you do not heed my correction, I can and will shorten your life, destroying you suddenly, before you have fulfilled your mission on this earth. I do not mess around with blatant, willful sin in my children. “This should be considered by all who continue in the love and liking of sin, and in league with it, while yet they profess to keep up communion with Christ.” Those words by Henry should shout loudly in your head and heart today. To worship the devil is very, very dangerous. Be more than a hearer of my Word. For your sake, your family’s sake, and the sake of those I have called you to impact, be a doer of my Word. Worship only me. I demand it. What I said to God: Lord, I admit, I wanted to put finishing this devotional journaling off until tomorrow or indefinitely. When I read what MH had commentated, it hit me right between the eyes. I have never made the specific and undeniable connection between my moments of rebellion and worshipping the devil. I now see that I am doing more than “hurting” you; I am angering you. Furthermore, I am pledging my allegiance to the devil, the one who hates my soul and wants to destroy me and my family! How could I ever look his way, much less lay my body at his feet in surrender? Oh, my God and Father, please forgive me. Thank You for speaking so directly and blatantly to me today. Help me live this message — and boldy share it with Your family.