Only One Way Out of Temptation and Sin
Paul reminded the church at Corinth of the Israelites’ repeated disobedience to God in their journey through the wilderness. He warned them that they could easily fall into such careless living if they were not careful because these temptations are common to all men. While it is true that such temptations are common, it is just as true that God is faithful to make a way to escape them.
The promise that God would provide a way out of the temptation should not be viewed as an invitation to explore sin. We should never tempt God through willful disobedience and assume he will deliver us. Christ came to deliver us from our sins. Hence, we are to resist sin of every kind and in every venue. Sometimes the best way to resist sin is to simply flee from it. Paul resorted to this command immediately after sharing that God would make a way to escape. He told his audience, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Corinthians 10:14).
The church in Corinth was surrounded by pagan worship. Sacrificial offerings made in these pagan temples resulted in meats offered for personal consumption in the temple market district. Purchasing and eating such meats in that locale would quickly identify the Corinthians with that pagan worship and their idols. Paul provided some valuable instruction still worth holding on to today. He had previously acknowledged that “an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one” (I Corinthians 8:4). Nonetheless, he understood the significance of such sacrifices when he told them “the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (I Corinthians 10:20).
Though the idols were nothing more than inanimate stone carvings, the worship behind the sacrifices was demonic in origin. Man was created with a sense of the eternal God (Romans 1:18-23) and a disposition to worship. Satan, the father of lies, has created many false ways to take advantage of this disposition. We should not be surprised at the multiple false religions and cults that spring up everywhere. There is only one way to heaven – Jesus Christ. He declared “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Give earnest reflection to this claim. Jesus claimed to be the very Son of God who gave his body an offering for sin that we might have eternal life. He either told the truth or he was a deceiver. There is no middle ground. The question of the ages has not changed – what will you do with Jesus?
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.
Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash