I Corinthians_10
Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:3-5-
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.
Observation-What does it say?
This speaks about the issue of idolatry and pride in a Believer’s life, not an unbeliever’s life to be clear. As the passage points out, some of Israel were faithful to God, but “God was not pleased with most of them” (vs. 5) because of their idolatry and sin. There were consequences as a result of their actions. Scripture points out the following in verses 8-10:
Some committed sexual immorality-the consequence: in one day, 23,000 of them died.
Some tested Christ- the consequence: they were killed by snakes.
Some grumbled- the consequence: they were killed by the destroying angel.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Learn from the mistakes of the past. Learn from the idolatry and consequences of Israel. It’s better to do things right the first time, than suffer the consequences of unwise choices.
Galatians 6:7-Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, not even our sin because He died for us WHILE we were sinners (Romans 5:8). However, there are consequences to sin and consequences for children of God are inescapable as a result of loving discipline from our Heavenly Father.
Whenever I discipline my kids, I always remind them that I’m doing it because I love them. I tell them that if I didn’t love them, then I wouldn’t discipline them. I learned that method of parenting from my Heavenly Father. (Please see Hebrews 12:5-11)
Life Application
Let us learn from our own mistakes and the mistakes of other believers and the consequences of their sin; but at the same time, don’t allow the enemy to gain a foothold because of pride.
1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.
Basically, don’t believe the lie that we are too faithful to fall. It doesn’t matter if we’ve been a Christian for less than a year or 30 years. None of us are immune to temptation; however, God is faithful and will always provide a way out as we pursue purity and develop safeguards to be above reproach. None of us have to fall prey to the enemy’s lies because we are no longer slaves to sin. We are free from sin and slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18). Thank You Jesus!
Dear Lord, idolatry and pride are deadly combinations as Your Word pointed out. Thank You for not sugar coating the Scriptures, but revealing the good, bad and ugly of the past so that we can learn from it. I pray for humility of heart to apply what we learn through Your Word, through other believers and also through the discipline You lovingly provide us throughout our lives as we are shaped more into Your image. May You get all the honor and glory as we live our lives set apart for You alone. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi