DAY #255: 1 Corinthians 10:6-22

Far from being irrelevant to New Testament Christians, the stories of people in the Old Testament provide a warning from which the believers can learn not to crave evil things as they did. Clearly, the Israelites’ status as God’s people and recipients of his love and provision did not mean that all of them loved and served God in return. Instead, many actually desired evil and turned away from God.

In their disobedience, the Israelites worshiped a god of Canaan, Baal of Peor, and engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women. Because of their sin, God punished them harshly. For the believers in Corinth, the comparison would have been inescapable. Much of the idol worship there focused on ritual prostitution and sexual immorality of all kinds. God would not go lightly on those who claimed to be his but still engaged in idol worship or sexual immorality.

True believers will seek to stay near to God in order to constantly live in obedience to him. This incident of grumbling occurred when the people complained against the leadership of Moses and Aaron—an event that actually happened several times. Grumbling against God or against his leaders results in divine punishment. God does not take this sin lightly either. This was yet another problem that the Corinthian church was facing.

When the Israelites disobeyed, they received punishment. Likewise, when people who claim to be Christians sin with no repentance, no desire to change, and no concern for God’s laws, they too will receive punishment.

Paul warned the believers not to let down their guard.Temptations come into every believer’s life—no one is exempt. Temptation is not sinful; the sin comes when the person gives in to temptation. Believers must not be shocked or discouraged, or think that they are alone in their shortcomings. Instead, they should realize their weaknesses and turn to God to resist the temptation.

But God does not leave his people to Satan’s whims. Instead, God is faithful. He will not always remove the temptation, because facing it and remaining strong can be a growing experience; however, God does promise to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. The secret to resisting temptation is to recognize the source of the temptation and then to recognize the source of strength in temptation.

Not only that, but God also promises to show you a way out so that you will not give in to the temptation and fall into sin. It will take self-discipline to look for that “way out” even in the middle of the temptation and then to take it when it is found.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I think sometimes as Americans we believe written into the constitution or the Bill of Rights is a clause that guarantees our right to complain and grumble. It seems we complain about everything. It's too warm - it's to cold. The Republicans did this - the Democrats did this. My wife drives me crazy by doing so and so - my husband drives me nuts by doing this.

Yet God has a different way for His people to go. In this passage, we clearly read that grumbling and complaining and causing division and derision is sin. God is not pleased when we partake in the verbal lynching of another. Read the verses below. What do they say to your heart about this issue?

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:3-6 (NIV)

Think about the damage that has been done by those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ by their lack of control when it comes to the way they use their words. Gossip, slander, backbiting, defamation - from the people of God??? It should NEVER be.

Lord, help me today and every day control my tongue. Help everything that flows from my mouth be beneficial for those who hear me. Lord, protect COV from the evil that comes from complaining and grumbling. Build this truth into our people.