1 CORINTHIANS 10
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil 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 rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 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.
– 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 CORINTHIANS 10 ON ENDURING TEMPTATIONS
In this letter, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers not to be disheartened when facing temptations. He reminds them of the people in the Old Testament like Moses who led God’s people into the wilderness and into the promised land. He explains to them that God purposely gave them the commandments so that they can be guided how not to go against God’s plans. Many of the children of God didn’t follow some of his laws and they faced consequences for what they did. God dealt with sin right away when it happened before Christ came in the picture. I would say that was gracious of him to do so. In this way, he is saving the others who might be demoralized by those sinful acts. Cutting those rebellious people will protect the rest of them. Paul reminds the Corinthian church of their responsibility to follow the laws for their own benefit. He warns them to be wary of discouragement when faced with temptations because the Holy Spirit will be with them to give them a way out of it. They will not be given anything that they cannot handle.
REFLECTION
- How can we develop endurance against temptations?
