Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Corinthians 10
Daily Bread 2011 – 1 Corinthians 10
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 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.
What Does This Mean?
Paul then addresses the issue of sexual immorality and points out that his Jewish brothers and sisters struggled with the same issue. They were judged for their sexual immorality, in Exodus 25, when they were seduced by the women of Moab, and 24,000 were struck dead. Since the Corinthian church had similar temptations with their location as a bustling seaport, he uses this example to warn them.
Note what this introduction to Corinth says about the city
(http://www.christianinconnect.com/1corinthians.htm)
“These factors contributed to the excessive sexual immorality that characterized Corinth, as did the temple of Aphrodite (or Venus), one of the twelve heathen temples in Corinth. Aphrodite was the pagan goddess of love. It has been said that more than one thousand temple prostitutes offered their sexual services as part of the worship of Aphrodite. By A.D. 50 the sexual immorality of Corinth was so infamous that the term “to Corinthianize” was coined to denote people's living in sexual immorality and having intercourse with prostitutes as the Corinthians characteristically did.”
Importantly, though the temptation factor was high, verse 13 gives a promise that there is no temptation that has overtaken us that is not common to all people. God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond our strength, but will provide the way out so we can withstand the temptation.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Living in Southern California, and in American culture in general, there is temptation abounding toward sexual immorality. And certainly the church is not immune to it. Pornography is a huge struggle among Christian men (and women, statistically to a lesser extent). These verses are appropriate for us as we are tempted in the sexual arena. As Paul says, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Hopefully you have people in your life where you can have accountability for the choices you make and the things you watch etc… One of the big causes of marital breakdown is sexual infidelity, and again the church is not immune to this temptation. I have led several men’s group where men can talk openly and honestly about their struggles, and this is a huge help. The Church needs to be a place where people can openly discuss their temptations without fear of people looking down their noses, or judgment. If you haven’t yet put 1 Corinthians 10:13 to memory I would suggest you do!
Jesus you were tempted in every way, yet found to be faithful. We pray that when we are tempted we can turn to you and find the way out so that we can stand up under our trials and lead lives worthy of the calling we have as we bear your name to the world. Forgive us when we act in ways unworthy of you and help us to find places of healing and support as we seek to be whole people of God with integrity in every aspect of our lives. Amen.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 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.
What Does This Mean?
Paul then addresses the issue of sexual immorality and points out that his Jewish brothers and sisters struggled with the same issue. They were judged for their sexual immorality, in Exodus 25, when they were seduced by the women of Moab, and 24,000 were struck dead. Since the Corinthian church had similar temptations with their location as a bustling seaport, he uses this example to warn them.
Note what this introduction to Corinth says about the city
(http://www.christianinconnect.com/1corinthians.htm)
“These factors contributed to the excessive sexual immorality that characterized Corinth, as did the temple of Aphrodite (or Venus), one of the twelve heathen temples in Corinth. Aphrodite was the pagan goddess of love. It has been said that more than one thousand temple prostitutes offered their sexual services as part of the worship of Aphrodite. By A.D. 50 the sexual immorality of Corinth was so infamous that the term “to Corinthianize” was coined to denote people's living in sexual immorality and having intercourse with prostitutes as the Corinthians characteristically did.”
Importantly, though the temptation factor was high, verse 13 gives a promise that there is no temptation that has overtaken us that is not common to all people. God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond our strength, but will provide the way out so we can withstand the temptation.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Living in Southern California, and in American culture in general, there is temptation abounding toward sexual immorality. And certainly the church is not immune to it. Pornography is a huge struggle among Christian men (and women, statistically to a lesser extent). These verses are appropriate for us as we are tempted in the sexual arena. As Paul says, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Hopefully you have people in your life where you can have accountability for the choices you make and the things you watch etc… One of the big causes of marital breakdown is sexual infidelity, and again the church is not immune to this temptation. I have led several men’s group where men can talk openly and honestly about their struggles, and this is a huge help. The Church needs to be a place where people can openly discuss their temptations without fear of people looking down their noses, or judgment. If you haven’t yet put 1 Corinthians 10:13 to memory I would suggest you do!
Jesus you were tempted in every way, yet found to be faithful. We pray that when we are tempted we can turn to you and find the way out so that we can stand up under our trials and lead lives worthy of the calling we have as we bear your name to the world. Forgive us when we act in ways unworthy of you and help us to find places of healing and support as we seek to be whole people of God with integrity in every aspect of our lives. Amen.
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