Sharers in Christ or Demons

We often turn to familiar passages when preparing for the Lord's Supper. We remember Jesus' body, His blood, and His command to remember Him. But there is another question to ask: Why did Paul write these words here? In 1 Corinthians 11, his teaching confronts believers whose divisions and selfishness were hurting one another. Remembering Jesus should change how we treat the people for whom He died.

The same question opens chapter 10. Verses 16–17 describe sharing in Christ's blood and body through the cup and bread. They also describe the many believers as one body. Communion includes our relationship with Jesus and our shared life as His people. But Paul places that beautiful truth inside a serious warning. To understand the table, we need to follow his argument.

Paul begins with Israel's story. They all passed through the sea, were baptized into Moses, and received spiritual food and drink. The rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1–4). They were a delivered people who shared extraordinary blessings. Yet God was displeased with most of them. Their privileges did not make later rebellion harmless.

Verses 6–10 name evil desires, idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, and grumbling. These things were written for our instruction. We can remember our baptism and faithfully assemble while still allowing cravings to govern our lives. Paul's warning is personal: the one who thinks he stands must take care lest he fall. We need confidence in God without becoming careless about ourselves.

Then comes encouragement. God is faithful and provides a way to endure temptation (verse 13). We aren't required to surrender to the desires that pull us away. The next instruction makes our response plain: flee idolatry. Don't settle comfortably beside what threatens your loyalty to the Lord. Accept His help and take the way of escape.

Now Paul brings us to the bread and cup. Sharing Christ's table means something. He points to Israel's sacrifices and then to pagan sacrificial meals: participation expresses fellowship. An idol is not a real god, yet the worship behind those pagan meals involves demons. Christians cannot share the Lord's table and the table of demons (verses 18–22). God rightly claims the devotion of His people.

The immediate warning concerns participation in idolatrous worship. Its searching application reaches our own divided loyalties. We cannot thank Jesus for His sacrifice while deliberately arranging the rest of life around disobedience. His table calls us to consistency, repentance, and faithful love. That isn't a demand to arrive without weakness. It is a call to bring our weakness honestly before God and seek mercy that helps us turn toward Him.

As you partake, remember Jesus' body given for you. Remember His body of believers gathered with you. Then consider the body you brought into the room and how you will use it this week. Praise Him and thank Him. Ask for help with the choice you know needs changing. We have a whole week ahead in which to live the fellowship we express at His table.