Who are you following?
1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Each and every one of us will follow someone. The person you follow will either lead you to fulfil your potential, or they will lead you to the wrong place.
The Bible is filled with men and women who lived and died and their legacies can be great examples on which to pattern our lives.
Old Testament reality
Paul reminds of to do this and refers us to the actions of God’s Old Covenant followers whose choices caused their demise.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6 - Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
Paul makes it clear that the spiritual experiences these people had were very similar to those of Christians today. He reminds us that they all had an encounter with Jesus, they were all baptised in water, and all filled with God’s Spirit.
When making these comparisons, he points out certain behaviours which should be avoided by God’s children under the New Covenant.
Guard your life
1. Idolatry
1 Corinthians 10:7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
Idolatry simply means anything that stand between us and our relationship with Jesus.
2. Weakness of the flesh
1 Corinthians 10:8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
The flesh has a voice and desires, which must come under subjection to the Word of God. The flesh has an insatiable appetite and if not brought under control, will lead to our destruction.
3.Tempting Christ
1 Corinthians 10:9 - Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
This speaks about lack of faith. We can only please the Lord when we live by faith and to trust Him entirely with our provision, safety, and leading
If we are self-sufficient, then we do not need God. God wants us to live by faith.
4. Complaining
1 Corinthians 10:10 -Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
God has given us a powerful resource – our mouths. This instrument can move mountains and can create our destiny. When we use our mouths for anything others than
Learn by examples
1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Be aware
1 Corinthians 10:12 - Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
God works with us
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
