1 Corinthians 10:21

"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


I think that too often we, or at least I, try to drink from both cups... eat from both tables.  We find ourselves reluctant to make a choice that leaves us only on the Lord's side, where we can't reach that other cup.  In the end, it isn't possible to stay in the middle... we have to choose one side or the other.  Eternal life or eternal destruction... happiness or misery. 
The difference between the choices is clear as you look at them from far away, but sometimes I think when you are right there, it is harder.  Brussel sprouts on the Lord's table and a twinkie on the table of devils.  ... and even though we, mentally, know that there is something besides a creme filling is waiting for us if we choose the twinkie, the image of it... the promise of it... seems so much better than brussel sprouts. :)
I think the lie is in the focus... zeroing in on one thing, and making biased comparisons.  The truth is that there are thousands of things on both tables, and the only real difference is beyond the image or any of the senses.  The food on the Lord's table fills you up, and the food on the table of devils empties you out... makes you more and more hungry, and never satisfies.  You can bite into that twinkie, and it tastes good and sweet, but then, it isn't enough.  You are hungrier than before, and you want more and more, trying to fill the void.  On the other hand, when you try the brussel sprouts (expecting the worst)... it might not taste good at first, especially after twinkies, but down deep, it fills you.  And in time you find that they actually are quite yummy.  You find yourself trying and enjoying things that you never thought you could ever like... and it satisfies.  You don't have to keep looking for whatever it is that will heal you or fill you or complete you, because it is already there.  The desperation is gone, and you can find peace.  I think that, like a lot of lessons, sometimes we have to learn this one more than once.  It is easy to forget... but in the end, we have to choose.  To receive the blessings of the Lord's table, we have to leave the table of devils far behind.  We can't learn satisfaction through emptiness.