I Cor 10:1-13
There are three mains ways we can gain wisdom. First is through education. Second is through our own experience. Third is through others’ experiences. Paul warns us that we, after being freed from our “Egypt” or slavery to sin, we need to be careful of the pitfalls the Israelites faced. These were bad choices.
- No idolatry. God will not put up with idolatry. Although he is patient in drawing us to himself and keeping us focused on him, there will come a point where you lose contact with him if you keep making choices for other gods. Other gods could be other spiritual paths that involve gods other than the Christian trinity--Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, voodoo, New Age, etc. He will give you many opportunities to return to Him, his grace, his mercy, and redemption. However, if you insists on choosing otherwise, He will not force you to accept him and all his blessings but leave you to your own devices.
- No sexual immorality. Sexual immorality violates the sacredness of the physical body that was created to glorify God. If the body is defiled through sexual immorality, not only is it defiled but future generations produced will be defiled. Yes, there is redemption. However, redemption is for getting us back on track not as a license for continual sin. Sexual immorality is huge door for Satan to enter and control your life.
- No testing the Lord. Little kids test their parents. If he is told not to touch the vase, he might touch just to see what will happen if he does. If told he will lose a privilege due to disobedience, he might disobey just to see if parents will carry out the consequence. We are warned NOT to test the Lord. Obey his Word without testing if it’s true. If He says He will fulfill a promise, believe Him. Jesus was tempted to test God by jumping off the roof since God says he will keep us safe. To choose to jump would be manufacturing a situation for God to act. We are warned against manufacturing situations to test God’s hand. God acts according to His will not ours.
- No grumbling. What good does grumbling do? It magnifies the problem, makes us grumpy, and sets in negative thoughts. Grumbling focuses on the problem rather than the solution. When we grumble, we often make something that is not a problem into a problem and tangle up God’s plan. Don’t grumble about the weather. Life is still going to go on. Don’t grumble about other people. They are still going to live their own lives as you must go on with your own. Don’t grumble about your situation as God has a plan that works.