A Formula To Beat Temptation Every Time! 1 Corinthians 10

 

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Paul continues to teach the Corinthians on the dangers of idolatry.  He cites the example of their Jewish ancestors.  Although they had received so many blessings from God and His protection, provision and very presence they still rebelled.  They also experienced the presence of Christ himself.  But despite all of those blessings the people of God still chose to rebel and not obey God.  The Jewish Christians should have remembered this example and realized that they were susceptible to the same temptations as their forefathers. As a result the Israelites lost their relationship with God, were left alone and were disconnected from all the blessings they had enjoyed.  

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a] 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

As a result of not keeping their eyes on God, that became tempted by all sorts of immoraity.  Importantly it say "they set their hearts on evil things".  It is not as though the Israelites just casually drifted into sin, they intentionality set out after it.  And sin they did.  Drunkenness, orgies and it was everything goes.  This is what happens when one gives their heart over to "sin".  God will never force to love or obey him.  Although he loves us with an unfailing love, if we want to love something more than him, he will let us.  God never forces us to love him, yet he allows the consequences of our sin.  In this case the consequence was quite harsh as they were killed by snakes. 

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Paul ends with a very practical application of how the Corinthians might be able to stand up under temptation.  He knows that the Corinthians will be tempted plenty living in the culture they live in.  He gives them a great prescription for overcoming temptation.  First, he says don't be prideful.  To think you are immune from temptation is a very dangerous place to be, you are very near a fall.  Secondly, when we are tempted we shouldn't be surprised.  There is no temptation we are undergoing that someone else has not had to endure.  Third, there is never a temptation we can't be beat if we allow God to help us.  There is never a case where we could say, "The devil made me do it."  The devil doesn't make us do anything, we usually sin because we want to.  We sin because we listen to the enemies lies, and don't trust in God's promises to provide for us.  Finally, God will always provide an "escape hatch".  If you look for it God will always give you the opportunity to get out of the dangerous situation you are in.  What a great promise!  Though we will all be tempted this precription can help us to honor God to stand firm in the midst of temptation. This will ensure we can enjoy the abundant life God has promised us and wants for us.

Where are you most likely to be tempted?  How can Paul's prescription for beating temptation put you on the offensive vs. the defensive?  Do you have people in your life who you can share your temptations with? It always helps to have acccountability!  Remember even when you do fall, get up again.  We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.  God has grace for us even when we fall.  Though there may be consequences, but nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! Amen.