"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
1 Corinthians 10:6-13
This is an interesting passage, and each of the things that it mentions from the past is a story that you can find elsewhere in the scriptures, Paul is talking to people familiar with these stories, because he has taught them the scriptures, and here he is referring to the scriptural examples and the associated lessons. One reason that reading the scriptures is important is so that we can get that same background. That way when we read about the serpents, we think of the story and not just that random snakes attack anyone who tempts God. :)
I really like that God gives us examples and helps us interpret his commandments rather than just throwing them out there. :) The stories we read in the scriptures help us understand why lusting after evil is bad, rather than just saying not to do it. And that is what we need for the real, deep conversion that lasts. We need to understand for ourselves why the commandments are the way they are. It doesn't happen all at once and I am definitely not suggesting that we only follow the ones we understand and agree with... only saying that conversion is a lifetime journey, not a one-time revelation. Sometimes we have to trust and show obedience first, as Adam did after leaving the garden of Eden, or as Noah did, building a ship. Sometimes we unfortunately rebel first, as Jonah did. But whenever we place our feet on God's path, the journey always includes God helping us to understand why, and helping us to want good and not evil.
One of the biggest things that gets in our way is when we think that we know best. It's an easy thing to think... we're our own people and we get to make our own choices. We've learned to stand up to people who want to make those choices for us, and that isn't a bad thing. What is a bad thing is when our lust, idols, or selfish goals get in the way of being able to sincerely listen to God's advice. We need to be careful that we don't start believing the lie that we're smarter than God or that his ways are obsolete. He's God... all knowing and all powerful. The power of creation can't be trumped by technology.
The guarantee at the end of the selection is always amazing... no matter what temptations come, or how much we want them and identify with them, God does *always* make a way for us to escape. Today, let's not give in to things that take us away from God. Let's turn to him, and flee from sin. God will help us to understand, and help us to change our hearts as we go. As Paul says, he is faithful.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
1 Corinthians 10:6-13
This is an interesting passage, and each of the things that it mentions from the past is a story that you can find elsewhere in the scriptures, Paul is talking to people familiar with these stories, because he has taught them the scriptures, and here he is referring to the scriptural examples and the associated lessons. One reason that reading the scriptures is important is so that we can get that same background. That way when we read about the serpents, we think of the story and not just that random snakes attack anyone who tempts God. :)
I really like that God gives us examples and helps us interpret his commandments rather than just throwing them out there. :) The stories we read in the scriptures help us understand why lusting after evil is bad, rather than just saying not to do it. And that is what we need for the real, deep conversion that lasts. We need to understand for ourselves why the commandments are the way they are. It doesn't happen all at once and I am definitely not suggesting that we only follow the ones we understand and agree with... only saying that conversion is a lifetime journey, not a one-time revelation. Sometimes we have to trust and show obedience first, as Adam did after leaving the garden of Eden, or as Noah did, building a ship. Sometimes we unfortunately rebel first, as Jonah did. But whenever we place our feet on God's path, the journey always includes God helping us to understand why, and helping us to want good and not evil.
One of the biggest things that gets in our way is when we think that we know best. It's an easy thing to think... we're our own people and we get to make our own choices. We've learned to stand up to people who want to make those choices for us, and that isn't a bad thing. What is a bad thing is when our lust, idols, or selfish goals get in the way of being able to sincerely listen to God's advice. We need to be careful that we don't start believing the lie that we're smarter than God or that his ways are obsolete. He's God... all knowing and all powerful. The power of creation can't be trumped by technology.
The guarantee at the end of the selection is always amazing... no matter what temptations come, or how much we want them and identify with them, God does *always* make a way for us to escape. Today, let's not give in to things that take us away from God. Let's turn to him, and flee from sin. God will help us to understand, and help us to change our hearts as we go. As Paul says, he is faithful.
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