What Message are We Sending?1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

Thoughts for Today:The Greek word "koinonia" is used to describe participation in the Lord's Supper. This word is translated as "communion", which means "oneness". Paul uses the act of communion or oneness to illustrate that the physical elements we use are not the literal body and blood of Jesus; they are simply a representation of His sacrifice. When we eat and drink, we are communing with the Lord in His death and resurrection. These elements should stir strong emotion and thoughtful consideration.

In our previous passage, Paul appealed to the common sense of the Corinthians. In our passage today, Paul asks two rhetorical questions -- of which he expects affirmative answers. Why? I think it's to establish a greater sensitivity among the Corinthians regarding the subject of eating meat previously offered to idols. How so? Because in the same way that it would be insulting for an idolater to participate in communion with us, it offends the sensibilities of an idolater (or former idolater) to eat what was previously sacrificed to idols. Paul's point is -- although there is nothing technically wrong with the meat -- to the people who offer food to idols, there is real meaning behind its consumption. What message is sent when it is thoughtlessly consumed?

Questions to Ponder:How do you think the exercise of your Christian freedom reflects upon the Gospel? Does it trample on the rights, sensibilities or traditions of others? How would you respond if, in some way, a non-Christian dishonored our participation in the Lord's Supper? Do you politely respect the rights of others as you expect them to honor ours?

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What is Your Exit Strategy?1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul tells us to flee from any person, relationship, activity, hobby, or thought that gets in the way of our relationship with the Lord. In Christian circles, we see a lot of haphazard "fleeing". That is trying to avoid all connection to anything or anyone that might possibly be construed as sinful or lead to temptation. With the incorrect emphasis, joy is lost and the freedom Christ promised is never experienced. In fact, just the opposite occurs. We become bound by all the things we try to avoid. It's like painting the floor of a room without first planning your exit. If you're not careful, the floor will be painted, and you will end up boxed in a corner. With no option other than to walk across the freshly painted floor. Paul might tell us to flee from sin, but he does not intend for us to do so without an exit strategy.

Psalm 34 was written while David was fleeing for his life. Yet, he said [my summation], "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth, for I have tasted and seen in the middle of this difficulty that the Lord is good!" We must be careful that while we're fleeing, we do not insulate ourselves from life, difficulty, adversity, problems, or people. That we allow the Lord to show us His goodness and provision all along the way. Paul instructed his protégé Timothy on the subject of fleeing -- but with a purposeful direction (1 Timothy 6:10): "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." These are the thoughts we should pursue, rather than a blind and fearful fleeing.

Questions to Ponder:Paul tells us to, "flee from idolatry". Yet, in James 4:7, we are told, "resist the Devil and he will flee from you." So are we to flee or resist? As long as we are in this life we will be forced to deal with Satan and his devises. We are simply to resist him and eventually he will leave us alone. Sin is another subject. The Bible tells us idolatry is a sin. Pure and simple. Therefore we are not to fool around with it at all. When we find it we are to run from it -- but to where? Are you holding on to the idols of this age -- fame, fortune, or accomplishment? Where will you flee? Do you know the fullness that can only come from the Lord? Will you flee to Him now?

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​The Devil Made Me Do It

​1 Corinthians 10:13b
But when you are tempted...

Thoughts for Today:Forty years ago, comedian Flip Wilson unveiled two characters in his television show: Reverend Leroy, the pastor of the "Church of What's Happening Now", and Geraldine Jones, one of his parishioners. Geraldine would impulsively buy a dress, and then excuse the urge by saying, "The Devil made me do it!" America laughed at Geraldine's silly excuse. We all know Satan wants us to sin, but we also know the truth.

In our passage today, Paul doesn't say, "If you are tempted." He says, "When you are tempted." Unfortunately, while on this earth, temptation is a part of life that we must all learn to deal with. In the Garden of Eden, God confronted Adam and Eve (the first man and woman) after they sinned. Their response set the tone for all of mankind. Just like Geraldine Jones -- they shifted the blame to someone or something other than themselves. Adam said, "The woman You gave me made me do it." The implication of course was that it was not only his mate's fault, but God's as well. Eve said, "The serpent deceived me." However, regardless of Satan's influence, God held them both accountable for their sin. The Devil might have provided an enticement, but he did not make them do it.

What was God's solution to the sin of Adam and Eve? Was it to blame Satan? Rather, God encouraged a confession of sin from the sinners, "I ate." He then provided a sacrificial death as compensation for their transgression. Genesis 3:21: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." The animals had to be slain by God so He could give them garments of skin. This was the beginning of the concept of sacrifice and the shedding of blood as covering for sins. Hebrews 9:22 spells this out clearly: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Nothing has changed. God's plan for removing our guilt involves removing the sin that caused it. In other words, when we recognize our sin and receive God's provision through the finished work of Jesus Christ, we have the forgiveness we desperately want. We no longer need to try and excuse our guilty consciences by shifting the blame to someone else.

Questions to Ponder:Do you have a guilty conscience? Who or what is to blame? If you answered, "Sin," you got it right. When we cross from temptation into transgression it is no one's fault but our own. But there is a way back to grace. 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Will you go to Him now?

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Have a Little Discipline1 Corinthians 10:13a
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

Thoughts for Today:Following church last Sunday my daughter Amanda asked, "Can we get sushi for lunch today?" (Amanda loves sushi and would probably eat it every day if she could). Sherry said, "I feel like a chicken salad from Fred's (a favorite Mexican Restaurant). Let's have your Dad decide." I felt a setup coming. I said, "Fred's is really big temptation for me -- with the chips, salsa, and other great food -- I'm not sure if it's wise to position myself where it will be difficult for me to honor the terms of my diet. I kind of like the idea of sushi as well." Amanda said, "Sushi, oh yeah!" Sherry said, "Oh come on Mike, let's go to Fred's -- just eat what I do and have a little discipline."

Where do you think we went for lunch? If you guessed Fred's you would be right. Did God tempt me? No. Did God allow me to be tempted? Yes. Was it a temptation I could legitimately bear? Yes. The end result was I ate a chicken salad, had no chips and salsa, and drank water. It wasn't that difficult. Why? For four reasons: first, I was committed to my dietary plan; second, I didn't seduce myself with thoughts of how good the food might taste; third, I didn't try "just one"; and fourth (and most important), as long as I did my part, I was at peace knowing the Lord would not allow me to be tempted beyond what I could handle. I just had to be responsible for managing my thoughts.

Another question might be: Did Sherry tempt me? My answer is no. As much as we might like to isolate ourselves from temptation -- perhaps placing those around us in bondage to our own intolerances -- I believe it is incumbent upon us individually to rest in and rely completely upon the Lord's faithfulness to His promises. However, we should not blindly and foolishly place ourselves in situations that might be overwhelmingly tempting. We need to know our limitations, set boundaries, and as my wife said, "Have a little discipline."

Questions to Ponder:I've intentionally used a light approach to a serious subject -- temptation. Why? Because a dietary temptation is something most of us will acknowledge (versus: lust, sexual immorality, gossip, idolatry, and the like). The point is our sin is our responsibility, not God's (or anyone else). I've heard many people say, "God made me this way, I can't help it." I've got news for you -- it's our failure alone. Why? Because God is faithful, we aren't. The Bible tells us (James 1:14): "...each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." Therefore, temptation begins in the mind, with the desire. What are you tempted by? What thoughts do you hold onto that lead down the wrong path? (2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.") Which of your thoughts do you need to control? Will you demonstrate a little discipline?

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Struggling With Temptation?1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.

Thoughts for Today:A lot of people think they are special as far as temptation is concerned. Some think they alone are singled out while others are left alone. Other people are too embarrassed to share their vulnerability or problems. They might doubt if their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have similar bad thoughts or continue to struggle with the lure of sinfulness. It leaves them feeling alone, isolated and uncertain of their own salvation. Temptation can to that to us -- make us feel dirty and unworthy. However, we might all be surprised -- even shocked -- to find out what tempts the people around us. But temptation, by itself, is not sin. Even Jesus was tempted. Hebrews 2:18: "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

So how is temptation brought into our lives? In two ways: First, it is our own lust that makes us susceptible to temptation (James 1:14): "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." And second, Satan can come against us without doing anything wrong on our part -- just like he did to Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. We've learned it is because Jesus was tempted in all ways that He doesn't frown upon nor condemn our struggles with sin. He says with compassion, "I know what you are going through." Just remember that while it is not a sin to be tempted; it is a sin to give in. Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin."

In most cases, temptation is a trap we set for ourselves, versus a scheme devised by Satan. How so? It happens when we toy with the wrong kind of thoughts and attitudes -- then look for ways to justify our thinking. James said it well: "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." What's the solution? 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." There are two keys to this passage: first, realize God has given us control over our thoughts; and second, we must know Scripture -- it is the perfect standard against which we are to compare our thoughts.

Questions to Ponder:In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus demonstrated how to deal with temptation -- He quoted Scripture. Eventually, Satan left Him alone (verse 11: "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.") How are you doing with temptation? What does the Bible teach about the things that are tempting you right now? Read each one aloud. You will be amazed at how quickly temptation flees when confronted by God's Holy Word. Better yet -- memorize a verse that applies to your situation.

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​A Memory Problem1 Corinthians 10:9
We should not test Christ, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes.

Thoughts for Today:Paul refers to Numbers 21:5-6: "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!' Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died."

In many ways, the Israelites were not that different from us when we long for the old friends, bad habits, and the loose living of our life before Christ. They too wanted to go back (Numbers 11:4-6): "The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, 'If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!'" Unfortunately, they had forgotten the beating, slavery, labor and hardship of life under Pharaoh.

In our passage today, Paul tells us: "We should not test Christ". Why? Because when we say, "I miss the old carefree days", we're really complaining against Christ. Like the Israelites, we have some memory problems. We fail to remember that it was the loneliness, misery, and emptiness that led us to Jesus in the first place. He alone is the One who delivered us out of our old situation and allows us to be in our "new" condition. (2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!")

Questions to Ponder:Have you been testing the Lord's patience by complaining about your present situation? Do you long for the sinful days of your past? Have you been wondering where has your joy gone? The answer isn't returning to old habits or relationships. The Lord has the power to fill our emptiness in ways only He can satisfy. Will you seek Him now?

Our Sin Will Find Us Out1 Corinthians 10:8
We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Thoughts for Today:Paul is speaking of Numbers 25:1-9 which describes the death of twenty-three thousand Israelite men who fornicated with Moabite women. Is Paul saying we should not commit sexual immorality because we fear punishment for our sin from the Lord? I don't think so. Moses wrote in Numbers 32:23: "...you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out." Therefore, it is not God who finds us out, but our sin that tracks us down and delivers its own punishment.

We know as believers -- the blood of His Son Jesus completely washes away all of our sin -- past, present and future. Yet, the Bible also teaches that sinful acts are inherently destructive. Galatians 6:7-8: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Applying this to our passage today -- when we become involved in sexual immorality the only thing we reap is destruction -- both spiritually and physically. These consequences might be immediate (an unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, broken marriage, etc), or might take a couple of decades. Whichever the case, no one gets away with sin.

Questions to Ponder:Paul wrote: "God cannot be mocked". Although saved, do you still remain involved in a sinful activity? What will you do when your sin finds you out? Blame God? Beg Him to let you escape the consequences of your acts? If this applies to you, it is best to stop now. Don't make it worse. Even though it may seem like it, no one gets away with sin forever. The consequences can be extremely harsh. So what should we do now? We're to pray, "Lord, I confess and turn from my sin. Use the scars and repercussion that I know will follow to draw others to Your grace and forgiveness."

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Learning From Example1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

Thoughts for Today:The reference Paul makes to -- "setting our hearts on evil things as they did" -- is from Numbers 11. The sin is lust -- and occurs when we want something more or different than what God has given us. The Israelites were dissatisfied with the manna that was supernaturally supplied from heaven -- they wanted meat. So God said to Moses, "Give them meat." Moses' response was a lot like one of mine. He said (Numbers 11:21-22): "Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!' Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?" Moses offered the only two choices he could conceive -- meat from their flocks and herds or fish from the sea -- neither would be enough to satisfy their needs for long. He failed to understand that God had a much bigger plan than any he could imagine. Soon the Lord provided so much meat, they could eat no more.

In our passage today, Paul continues to use the Israelites as an example to Corinthian believers. Their experiences while wandering in the desert were not just historical events, but also practical illustrations for us to learn from today. Bible stories of how people related to God in Scripture (and the associated positive or negative results) are there for our own edification. We don't need to go out on some uncharted and exploratory path to find God. The whole process can be greatly simplified by just believing in the Word of God and the experience of those who have gone before us.

Questions to Ponder:Do you need to go your own way or blaze your own trail? The Lord has given mankind an instruction manual for eternal life. Is it really necessary to prove by negative or positive experience each of its statutes? I don't need to. What about you? Will you learn and apply its principles?

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