May 21, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
As in verses 1-3 we again find the admonition about dining with an insincere person. We find the admonition is toward our us and our own appetites or desires compelling us to compromise for the sake of advancement.
There may be kind and courteous words spoken in efforts to bring about compromise. There may be subtle and mischievous presentations of dainty meats and morsels veiled in deceit to bring about unwanted change. Eventually the sweet words used and accepted will turn to vomit.
Sweet words are not always sweet words.
The pretended kindness is given to cause one to feel obligated to return the favour. Ulterior motives are hard to detect when the heart and mind is distracted by dainty meats, morsels and good conversations for you can never know the heart of the provider nor the evil eye they may have until it is too late.
I am reminded of the prophet in 1 Kings chapter 13. The man of God was instructed to go to Bethel and prophesy against the altar. Jeroboam, after hearing the man of God speak God’s word and experiencing God’s judgment, invited the man of God to dine with him.
God gave instruction to the man of God to refrain from eating or drinking there.
1Kings 13:7 And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. 8 And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: 9 For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. 10 So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.
In verses 13 - 19 of 1Kings 13, we find another false prophet compelling the man of God to dine with him falsely claiming God had also spoken to him to do so.
The rest of the chapter details the compromise of the first man of God. He did eat of the dainty meats and the morsels, and he did drink. He disobeyed God and accepted the bread of him who had an evil eye and a corrupt heart.
Proverbs 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
The compromise cost the man of God his life.
1Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, 22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. 23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.
Not all pastors, not all teachers, not all kings or politicians are who they pretend to be for their heart may think one thing while doing another.
Does that mean we should never trust anyone and dine with others. No! The answer is that you should always be mindful of God’s word. Follow God and His word no matter what.
When it comes to salvation, there will be many who will tell, compel and give you alternative ways to be saved. They will give you spiritual dainty meats and morsels; don’t believe them. Follow God’s word.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus Himself said: Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
