27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the LORD in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the LORD. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the LORD, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
The physical manifests in the spiritual. Now, let us consider the significance of what Paul just said. Two words jump out at us as we read what Paul said:
- Unworthy
- Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the LORD in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the LORD.
- Discerning
- 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
This is the only time that those two particular words are used in the New Testament. However, the lemma for discerning is used several times.
But as it is, Paul is saying that this is a very solemn time. It’s not a time for fun and games, and playing pattycake. It’s a time to inspect yourself and ask the hard questions that require honest answers:
- Am I living a Christian life?
- Am I sexually pure?
- Meaning I’m not sleeping with someone who is not my spouse
- I’m not engaged in pornography or illicit behavior
- Am I mixing the occult with the things of God?
- Am I walking in love, righteousness, and holiness?
- Is there any unconfessed sin in my life?
- A sin that nobody knows about— but me
- Hatred
- Lust
- Any ungodliness at all
Our physical actions manifest in the spiritual. For every physical action there is a spiritual reaction. So, as we go throughout our take notice of your actions. Is there an area of your life that you are giving into the flesh and making excuses for? Have you asked the LORD to search your heart and show you anything you have missed? Each day is a gift, don’t allow a temporary pleasure of this world to separate you from the love and covering of God. For what would be a blessing can quickly turn to a curse, if taken outside of that covering of God.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Watch Each Action.