Topic: Spiritual Preparation For Problem Solving
Text: 1Corinthians 10:1-13
Key Verse: 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. 1Corinthians 10:13(KJV)
Problems are typical in a fallen world. The moment man chooses to disobey God, his choices start to create problems he cannot solve. But as disciples of Jesus, the scriptures provide us with principles and guidelines that equip us to face the results of sin in the human race. Our text provides a background on the journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land.
The Israelites all had the same spiritual exposure to God, His commandments, provisions, and supernatural experiences. But many of them did not make it to Canaan because of some traits we will discover in today’s devotion. Some of the issues include Lust, Idolatry, fornication, tempting God and murmuring.
All these things happened to them as examples—as object lessons to us—to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these last days as the world nears its end. 1Corinthians 10:11(TLB)
In today’s world, the influence of social media and the habit of posting everything that is happening in people’s lives pressures many to desire and covet what others have. The glory of being the person trending makes people fall into the deadly traps of Idolatry, manifesting in worship of self or mammon.
The most egregious forms of immorality are often excused and explained away by preachers as natural occurrences beyond human control, thereby denying the power of the Cross. (2 Timothy 3:5) These are all lies to keep men and women bound and separated from God. We must be careful to identify any traces of these negative thoughts in our hearts and tame them before they lead us to problems that are too complex to solve. Thoughts that lead you to question the authority of God’s word in your life set the stage for you to seek the freedom to do things that may hurt you and others in your life.
We should not test Christ as some of them did. Because of that, they were killed by snakes. And don’t complain, as some of them did. Because they complained, they were killed by the angel that destroys. 1Corinthians 10:9-10(ERV)
Testing God and murmuring about his dealings in our lives is a trait that weakens our ability to respond in a godly manner to challenges when they arise. As part of our spiritual preparation, let us start by examining our hearts to rid ourselves of any of these issues that impede our ability to identify the ways of escape God provides in times of temptation.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What can I learn from today’s devotion about God?
- Why was the spiritual exposure of the Jews not enough to save them?
- What warning is there from the lessons above that I can apply in my journey today?
- Are there issues similar to those the Israelites faced that I need to address in my life now? 1 Cor 10:12
- What ways of escape did God provide for them that are available for us today?
Thank you for this Pastor Ada. This post reminds me of the need for gratitude and reflection on how God cares and makes things work together for good. Here’s how: I imagine that if the Israelites had constantly (perhaps daily) meditated and gave thanks for God’s care and previous deliverances, such as saving them from slavery and death with a lot of fortune, dividing the sea for them to escape capture when there was no other way, they would not have thought of his ability to do anything to care for them because of his love and power.
Gratitude is an antidote to lust and an entitlement mindset
The desire to be an obviously successful and blessed Christian is prevalent. The need to show that you’re not lagging behind is real even amongst the most discipled of Believers.
This lust to be like the world is dressed up in “spiritual” language of being the head and not the tail. It is latched to the blessings of Abraham, the success of David and the example of many contemporary Ministers of God who are doing signs and wonders spiritually and materially.
There’s also the need to impress God with our spiritual abilities, our anointing, long fasts and prayers, charitable works, our fervency for the world to see and acknowledge us as doing well in things of God and Ministry for the world to see.
All these are Pride of life disguised as service to God and man. Which is the reason why the rich young ruler in the Bible could not fathom that he was far from God in spite of his claim of being a good child of God.
That’s why the Pharisees so knowledgeable of the laws and things of God and ensuring it’s compliance, that they didn’t realise their hearts had become prideful and removed from God. But they were still doing God’s work and receiving the affirmation of men.
May the Lord help us guard our hearts and keep our focus on His word so that our spiritual antenna will be sensitised to quickly pick deceit when it whispers to our hearts as a need in Jesus name Amen.
Thank you my dear sister for these perspectives and highlights. If the devil does not come as an angel of light , we will not fall for his wiles.