SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. [1 Corinthians 10:13] In this passage, I hear God warning us through Paul not to be presumptuous in regards to sin and temptation. He reminds them of how their ancestors messed up in the desert, and paid for it. On the one hand, he urges them not to assume that they are safe [or ‘standing firm’ , 1 Corinthians 10:12], but then he encourages them to know that as they are tempted, God provides the resources to stand firm.
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. [Mark 1:12-13] Jesus was also tested in the desert, and God provided the resources for Him to stand firm. It was not an easy test, it required serious commitment and determination (fasting 40 days, to focus on God). Satan is a tough enemy, and we should not deal with him lightly or with arrogant pride (I can handle this). Greater ‘saints’ than we have fallen in the desert.
Paul is still speaking about food offered to idols, and warning the Corinthians that though they are free and forgiven and established in Christ, they should not forget the risks of temptation, or act as if they were above the concerns of the flesh. Keep the focus on God, do what we do out of humble, obedient love – love for God and love for people. Sure, technically eating meat sacrificed to idols is OK [see 1 Corinthians 8], but it may not be advisable. We may risk our own position, or the position of others.
What are the parallel concerns that might apply to us today, that we need to be on guard for? Our use of alcohol? How we dress? How we handle our money? Relating to members of the opposite sex? Participating in religious practices of other faiths? Reading horoscopes? The kinds of reading materials we expose our minds to? We may say, but we know better or we can handle it, but Paul would advise – don’t assume that you know better or can handle it, and even if you can, think about those around you who might be affected. Its bigger than you!
The best thing to do right now is pray about specific applications that relate to each of us personally.
PRAYER:
Lord, where am I at risk of temptation? Where am I at risk of misleading others by my “freedom” or “knowledge”?