Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
Theme: “Our Daily Spiritual struggles”
Observation from the Text:
1 Corinthians 10:1-14: Please note the following words in this passage: Not be ignorant (1), spiritual rock (4), God was not well pleased (5), lust after evil things (6), sat to eat, drink and play (7), committed fornication (8), tempted Christ, murmured (10), they are bad examples (11), God is faithful, he makes way to escape (13), you flee (14).
Paul wrote to Corinthians, “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”. (1 Corinthians 10:12).
We are vulnerable to the Potholes and speed breakers on our spiritual journey. The people who are committed for full time ministry are very much inclined to and going through inner and outer struggles on daily basis. There are sins of Contamination and condemnation. We will be pushed into test, temptations and needs and wants.
It’s so obvious that there are three potholes and three speed breakers: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life; dissatisfaction, discouragements, disagreements.
Bible classifies sins as THREE (Read: 1 John 2: 15-17) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever.” People usually refer them as “wealth, women and wine”.
The temptations of Jesus had these three areas of life. He had the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of Life but he had overcame by the Word of God (Luke 4, Matthew 4). Jesus Conquered: all his temptations concerning lust of the flesh (turn stones into bread), the lust of the eyes (see the kingdoms of the world), and pride of the Life (jump from the pinnacle (pride of life) in Luke 4. Also, he has to overcome the misuse of the power for personal gains and benefits. So, Jesus said overcome the world because I have overcome (John 16:33).
Paul warned, take heed lest you fall, to the believers living at Corinth.
Any spiritual fall has never been accidental always it is incidental. Fall is artificial, engineered, manufactured, and created for a considerable time. Fall starts with enticing, nurtured and finally yielded (Read: James 1:13-15)
A glance of reading on the fallen characteristics of the Bible reveals how they were manufacturing the fall. For the lust of the flesh, think of Amnon, who engineered a sin to commit adultery with his step-sister (2 Samuel 13:6). For the Lust of the eyes, think of Eve, who had desired to taste the forbidden fruit in her thought to become like God (Genesis 3:1-2). For pride of Life, think of Lucifer, who developed a desire to be like God (Isaiah 14:12-15), Judas Iscariot was looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-15). They are guide-posts, danger-signals, and ensamples.
1. Lust of the Flesh / Purity struggle
The purity struggles are found in Samson, David, and Joseph.
Samson was a son of the answers to the prayers of his parents. He was a born leader. He had the anointing of God even before his birth. Samson was overconfidence about his stability and ability. He never realised the fall until he was left without the power of the Spirit. (Judges 14:1-3, 16:1; went to a Harlot (any unfaithful women to her husband is a harlot); then he loved a woman called Delilah, Judges 16:4, 16,18 - entice him, bind him, overpower him, sub due him. She pressed him hard with her words day after day urged him, vexed to death. 16:20-21 - he didn’t know that the spirit of God left him, he became a prisoner).
David was at ease while others were fighting at the battlefield. He saw Bathsheba, killed Uriah. (2 Samuel 11:1-5, walking is good for health but dangerous if eyes are roaming around. 12:5 -David became more angry and sentenced a judgement on the criminal not knowing that he was the criminal).
Joseph conquered: Potiphar’s mistress was leading Joseph to mistrust of his immediate master and heavenly Master. She kept eyeing on him for several days for sexual abuse (Genesis 39:7). Joseph submitted to the will of God. He had Godly influence (Genesis 39:2-3). He maintained business honesty (Genesis 39:5-6). He was resistant to temptation (Genesis 39:7-9). He had the divine favour (Genesis 39:21). He believed in the providential circumstances (Genesis 40:5-8). He honoured God, He was dependent upon God (Genesis 41:16, 45:8). He had the divine revelations (Genesis 41:25-36).
They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death. (Revelation 12:11).
2. Lust of the Eyes / Profit Struggle
Profit struggles are found in Balaam, Achan, Gehazi.
“Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (NASB).
ACHAN, the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, connected with the fall of Jericho and conquest of Ai. Achan was consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord" (Joshua 6:19).
Joshua 7:20-22: “It's true,” Achan answered. “I sinned and disobeyed the Lord God of Israel. While we were in Jericho, I SAW a beautiful Babylonian robe, 200 pieces of silver, and a gold bar that weighed the same as 50 pieces of gold. I wanted them for myself, so I took them. I dug a hole under my tent and hid the silver, the gold, and the robe.” Joshua told some people to run to Achan's tent, where they found the silver, the gold, and the robe.
GEHAZI, the servant of Elisha. Gehazi was Elisha's faithful messenger and loyal protector (2 Kings 4:8–37). But became a greedy character in the case of Naaman (2 Kings 5). He cunningly solicited a reward from the Syrian general and then tried to practice deception on his master, the prophet Elisha. Elisha cursed Gehazi and his descendants forever with the "leprosy" of Naaman as punishment for his greedy act.
Balaam, non-Israelite prophet (Numbers 22–24). Balaam's error was guilty of covetousness, or an immoderate love of money as it is the root of all evil, the bane of religion, and the source of heresy, and what the false teachers were greatly addicted to. The error of Balaam led others into both idolatry and adultery (Revelation 2:14). The main thought connected with the name of Balaam is that of the sin of evil gain through advising for uncleanness, fornication, and adultery. Balaam in a sense made the house of God, a house of merchandise.
Greedy for gain: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 6:13, 8:10, Ezekiel 34:3, Micah 3:11, Philippians 3:2, 3:19, 2 Peter 2:3.
3. Pride of Life / Power struggle
The fight for power, popularity, and higher rank is an age-old issue from time immemorial men fight for it.
Power struggle means the struggle to control (Merriam-Webster), an unpleasant or violent competition for power (Cambridge Dictionary), two or more people compete for influence (Collins Dictionary). Struggle to show authority over one another.
Margaret Thatcher once said, “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you are not.” Those who feel powerless act in a demanding, overwhelming, power-driven way to compensate for their perceived powerlessness. (ref: psychologytoday.com)
The power struggles are found among brothers of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24:24-26). The brothers of Joseph were indignant about Joseph becoming a head of that family and Nation (Genesis 37:5-11). Aaron, Miriam fought with Moses over the leadership (Numbers 12:1-2). Saul was chasing David to retain power even after God has rejected him. There was a war between the house of Saul and David increased and ended up in enmity and erasing one another (2 Samuel 3:1-2).
There was power struggle among the captains of David (2 Samuel 3:26-28). The power struggle was found among the sons of David (1 Kings 1 & 2). Absalom was chasing his father to enjoy the power, Adonijah rebelled against the decision of King David for power of the throne against his brother Solomon, and Simon the Sorcerer at Samaria would like to purchase the power from Peter. Disciples were fighting for Power (Luke 22:14-29).
The win-win situation and cooperation and collaboration play an important role. Treating all equally and giving due respect for the potentiality found in others are appreciable. Team players are appreciated. No individual identity in the commonwealth of the team but with unique personal identity. Concept of “we” overplays the word “I”. However, self-respect and individual accountability never miss in this context.
Power struggle is an outcome Jealousy, and dejection. Miriam was such a loving caring sister but because of her sister-in-law, she has changed her character. Jealousy kills the self-esteem and character of the individual and the fellowship of the saints, and finally breaks the relationship with the Lord. Her jealousy led to Leprosy, and loss of the community’s love and fellowship. Jealousy is a form of covetousness. Jealousy is synonymous with envy. It is a feeling of sorrow for the well-being, excellence, success, advantages, and developments of a neighbour or a colleague. It changes their perception of God’s goodness and plan. Rev. Fr. Thomas enumerates that jealousy is hatred, detraction, rejoicing over the misfortunes of one’s fellow, and whispering.
The Speed breakers are: Dissatisfaction, Discouragements, and Disagreements.
Dissatisfaction accompanies with Disappointments:
Ecclesiastes 1:8 says, "All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Being aware of this biblical truth can give us a better grasp of what we are dealing with. Do not be deceived; happiness is a fruit of true spirituality. no material has power to satisfy man's spiritual needs.
Human nature is never satisfied. It does not know what is best for it. It makes us think that the grass is greener on the other side and that there is more and better in something else, something new and exciting. And when lust is involved, anticipation is always greater than realisation. Human nature is something we are always going to have to deal with in this life. (Be satisfied- Human nature is never satisfied. It is filled with self-concern and does not know what is best for it. What it lusts for may even lead to that person's spiritual death. It makes us think that the grass is greener on the other side and that there is more and better in something else, something new and exciting. And when lust is involved, anticipation is always greater than realization. There is a law of diminishing returns at work in this universe that perversion lessens rewards. The Israelites had a perverse craving for tasty food, and their reward ended up being death. Human nature is something we are always going to have to deal with in this life.Hebrews 13:5)
First and foremost, don’t let disappointment shake your belief in the goodness of God. “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35). “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Thank God every day; there’s always a reason to do so. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). You’ll be amazed how much better your life will look when you saturate it with thanksgiving!
God says in Isaiah 55:8-9: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
God has an unlimited perspective, but humans have a limited perspective. Only God knows all the factors that are involved in disappointing situations. It will require mental and spiritual effort to maintain this confidence in God and in yourself, but it is your road to better things. When you are disappointed, examine yourself to make certain you are thinking and living in harmony with God’s purpose.
Discouragement:
There are three great leaders who were yielded to the discouragement. We have Moses (Numbers 11:11-14), Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-6), and Jonah (Jonah 4) who were affected by the sin of Discouragement. These leaders became a prey to the discouraging spirt. They committed the sin of the moment, a failure under extreme provocation. They were good at prayers, fasting. Discouragement is associated with frustrated actions.
Their common prayer of them was: “Let me die.” (Numbers 11:15 – Kill me, 1 King 19:4 – take my life, Jonah 4:3 – take away my life). God spoke to them and revived their spirit.
John Piper, the Baptist Pastor, says that ‘discouragement is result of doubt on God’s goodness, wisdom, and power. The mountain seems too steep, the valley too dark, or the battle too fierce, and we lose the courage to continue is a sign of discouragement’. Discouragement can be a warning light suggesting to us that we have lost our primary focus.
Disagreements:
From Moses to David, from Jesus to Paul, the Bible’s greatest figures found themselves in conflict with someone. According to the Bible, nothing inherently wrong with conflict. Disagreements natural. Conflict can become the catalyst to greater understanding, intimacy, and depth of relationship; or it can bring anger, bitterness, and broken relationships. How you deal with conflict will literally shape the direction of your life.
(Acts 15:36-41). Paul and Barnabas had disagreements over Mark. Genesis 13:5-13 Abraham and Lot and their peaceful separation. Ephesians 4:31-5:2 - Be agree with one another in love and meekness.
C.S. Lewis said once: "We all serve God inevitably, but it makes a great difference whether you serve like Judas or serve like John."
Remedies for all these are confession and restoration to the original relationship with God.
Confession:
Psalm 51 gives us the hope of reconciliation. Today’s problem in the world is admitting SIN as sin. Some say it’s a mistake, for others it’s a weakness. Many think it’s common, so what. David uses three different words for it in Psalm 51, such as, transgressions, iniquity and sin (Psalm 51:1-3). Each term has been deliberately chosen for its unique meaning in Hebrew. Create in me a clean heart.
Conclusion:
God had promised in Exodus 34:6-7. “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.”
All those who are born of God overcomes the World (1 John 3:7-10, 5:4). Habitual sins have to be overcome by spiritual strength. Though he stumbles, he will not fall (Psalm 37:24). He never let the righteous fall (Psalm 55:22). Whoever trusts in his riches will fall (Proverbs 11:28). He can keep you from falling (Jude 24). The righteous shall rise even if he falls seven times (Proverbs 24:16).
