Not Giving in to Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (CSB)
Paul uses Israel’s exodus in 1 Corinthians 10 to warn the church today. Scripture offers examples for our benefit, showing that God hates sin and judges those who choose it.
1 Corinthians 10:1, 5-6 (CSB)
“Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea… Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did.”
This is a wake-up call. We can become so used to God’s grace that we forget His holiness and righteous anger against sin, vividly shown in the Exodus. God detests evil desires, and His standards remain unchanged.
1 Corinthians 10:7-11 (CSB)
“Don’t become idolaters as some of them were… The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party. Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died. Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction…”
Idolatry, sexual immorality, grumbling (ungrateful discontent)—these attitudes and behaviors brought God’s judgment on Israel. They’re still unacceptable today.
Some might think, “I don’t do those things.” But Paul warns:
1 Corinthians 10:12 (CSB)
“So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.”
We’re all susceptible to temptation. But is it ever too much?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (CSB)
“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.”
This verse is worth memorizing for when we feel we’ve gone too far to turn back. It’s one thing for a wrong thought to enter our mind, but another to dwell on it and act on it, as James teaches about sin’s progression. In temptation, we don’t have to surrender—God provides a way out.
Are we mindful of God’s deep hatred for sin, as seen in the Exodus? Are we comfortable with any form of idolatry, immorality, or ungrateful discontent in our lives? We desire to please God, yet temptation comes daily. Are we actively looking for the way of escape God provides? Let’s honor Him by taking the exit ramp He offers when temptation knocks.
