1 Corinthians 10:12-13: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
We have been given numerous examples in the Old Testament of people making wrong choices and the consequences of those sinful actions. The Israelite’s didn’t seem to see that God was setting them free and that He was faithful. Throughout Exodus and Numbers, we see them falling down on their faces again and again by making a golden calf, complaining about only eating manna that God had provided, and then muttering and complaining about Moses and Aaron, because they were having thoughts of giving up, and the plague that resulted. Paul warned the Corinthians not to grumble. Psalm 78:17,21b-22 states: “Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. . . His (God’s) anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.” That is the “therefore” Paul is referring to in 1 Cor. 10:12.
Therefore we can learn from the examples found in the Old Testament and take heed. It doesn’t have to be our experience, for we can gain understanding from Israel’s failures and mistakes on being self-focused, and then seek to live in complete obedience to our Lord and Savior. I like how the Message states 1 Cor. 10:12-13: “We are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naïve and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else.”
Paul issues caution in verse 12 when it comes to temptations – we are all vulnerable. I remember my Grandma Helmers referred to this verse when there was a conversation about an individual situation with a person involved in a particular sin, and Grandma quoted this verse and pointed the finger back to herself. I will never forget the impact that had on me as a young girl and still does.
Have you ever been fickle? Have you had regrets? We have pressures today that our parents never experienced. We always learn more from our failures over our successes. We are all so busy with our work, which is a gift from God, that we fail to take the needed time to be still before God and listen for His voice. Psalm 37:7 declares: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Then Psalm 46:10 again states: “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”
When Jesus was tempted by Satan he quoted Scripture. There is power in reciting out loud verses from the Bible. Speaking the Word of God, doing what it says, is where the power of God is provided. Whatever the challenge may be, speak the Word of God, and watch how it changes your mood. It defeats Satan time and time again.
Are you tempted to gossip about someone? Pray for them instead, then read 1 Cor. 10:12-13.
Are you tempted to criticize? Recite 1 Cor. 10:12-13, then pray for the person. Now examine the motivation in your heart. Has anything changed towards them? Rebuke and encourage with great patience and in love.
Staying in God’s Word, submitting and applying it to our life, being faithful to God in all that we do is our responsibility. Remember the lessons of obedience the Israelite’s learned about God. Have you felt like you have fallen flat on your face? Take heed, acknowledge the lesson you have learned in it, and take hope in our just and merciful God, who is fully present. He will never let you down, for He is faithful. Remember, you are called to a higher purpose.
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