Lead Us not into Temptation

Life after Pentecost (VIII)

1 Corinthians 10: 1- 13

We are sometimes tempted to think that idols are not the issues of our times. However, what we “set our hearts on” is our idol (6). If you want to find your idol, look where you have set your heart.

Paul mentions this topic to the Corinthians, giving examples from the history of Israel. In verse 6, he says, "Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters..." (6,7).

Let me give you an example of our time "idols": the DOLLAR.

In 1990 James Patterson and Peter Kim wrote a book called "The Day that America Told the Truth." They surveyed and asked tough questions of wide range topics concerning morality.

Here is one. They asked, "What would you be willing to do for ten million dollars?" Also they lowered the price to 4,3,2, millions and the result was almost the same:

Two thirds of the people agreed to do these things:

25% would abandon their family

25% would abandon their church

23% would become a prostitute for a week

16% would give up from US citizenship

16% would leave their spouses

7% would kill a stranger

6% would change their race

4% would have a sex change operation

3% would put their children up for adoption.

Incredible. It is a reality, and it exists in all of us- the "idol" that is called GREED.

Paul is warning the Corinthians, specially the arrogant ones, who think they are standing firm in their life. Somehow, they are saying to Paul that they know their limits. I wish this was right. And today we fall in the same trap if we are not in tune with God.

Paul is a Jew, and he knows his history very well. "Our forefathers were under the cloud and they all passed through the sea..." (1) Moses led them from the Red Sea; Moses found drinking water in desert; God led Moses to the water; they were hungry; they were fed by God. In one word, they were delivered from the slavery of Egypt and God gave them a new chance and a new life.

Instead of having grateful hearts, after all these blessings, there was idolatry, sexual immorality. Some tested the Lord, and others grumbled against God. Israel was destroyed. Only Joshua and Caleb were the ones from this group who saw the Promised Land.

Paul is saying: “All these I am reminding you so you will be warned.” Watch out: "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us... If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall." (11-12)

A child took permission to visit his friend in the next street. The mother asked him to call her when he arrived there.

Unfortunately, the child forgot to call his mom. After a while, the mother called him to check his arrival and asked him to not repeat this again.

Some weeks later, this event happened again. This time the child forgot to call his mom again, and the mother became very disappointed from the situation.

A few days later, the child made the same promise to his mom and he left the house. This time he was warned. He knew he would be grounded if he ever forgot to call home. However, as soon as he reached the friend’s house, he forgot the phone call. After waiting for a few minutes, the mother thought of something. She picked the phone and called the house where the child was. She let it ring only once, and hung up. The child remembered, quickly went to the phone and called his mom.

God warns us the same way. He warns us because He cares for us. He warns us because He loves us.

We will continue in English.