ESOCS Devotional 26 February 2026 – A Call For Undivided Allegiance
MEMORY VERSE: “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Corinthians 10:21 KJV
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-22
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
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The verse establishes that God and demonic forces are in direct opposition. Paul uses the imagery of two cups and two tables to illustrate that you cannot simultaneously pledge your loyalty to both, as this is a moral impossibility.
While the original context was about food sacrificed to idols, the principle extends to any modern form of idolatry. Anything that takes priority over God—be it wealth, career, relationships, or possessions—can become a competing “table” at which you place your ultimate trust. True worship is a singular act of devotion. Paul argues that participating in practices that honor false gods is an act of joining oneself to those entities. It is a matter of making a definitive choice about who you are truly serving.
The verse also cautions against a mindset of spiritual pride, which can lead to the belief that one can dabble in worldly practices without consequence. It’s a reminder that even if you think you’re strong enough, your actions can cause others to stumble and that God’s jealousy is a serious matter.
Regularly ask yourself what you are truly devoted to. What occupies your thoughts? Who or what do you prioritize? What are you pursuing with your time and energy? Strive to want God’s things more than the things of the world. While believers may stumble, a genuine heart will desire to obey God’s word and seek Him above all. Consciously choose to sit at the Lord’s table through spiritual disciplines like prayer, fellowship, and communion, rather than the table of worldly things.
Acknowledge that while you are spiritually free, your choices should not cause others to stumble or be led away from Christ. Use your freedom in a way that promotes spiritual growth for others.
Reflections
- Are you in any way involved in actions pertaining to spiritual compromise?
Prayer
- Oh Lord, give us grace to pledge our allegiance only to the one true God, all the days of our life.
Further Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6; Amos 5:1-15; Galatians1:11-End
ESOCS Devotional 26 February 2026
