Untitled Sermon

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NASB95

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Be careful with our liberties

The boundaries of Paul’s instruction and assurance in this passage begin at 1 Corinthians 8:1. He is addressing the topic of eating food that is sacrificed to idols, from that verse through the end of chapter 10. Verse 12 is really a rebuke toward the elite group of Christians at Corinth who felt they were secure in their standing with GOD. It should be their desire to be immovable and steadfast with the Lord. That wasn’t the problem. The reason Paul gives this warning and rebuke is because of what they felt was grounding them where they stood. The knowledge that an idol was nothing, and that there’s only one GOD and one Lord, Jesus Christ. The fact they knew this, gave them liberty to eat whatever and wherever. The problem Paul addresses is that not everybody in Christ has that level of knowledge that liberates them with such things. Since their minds or consciences are weak, because their past customs cause them to associate certain behaviors with idolatry, seeing those who are “strong” do such things will cause them to do the same against their own consciences. Paul says this makes the strong sin against the weak, and as a result, it is a sin against Christ, because we’re all in the body. Furthermore, the “strong” were also in danger because they felt the ground of knowledge and liberty on which they stood, to some degree made them safe from certain evil temptations. So Paul highlights Israel’s history as a warning from verse 1 Corinthians 10:1-11.

They were delivered, baptized, and had spiritual blessings. Yet GOD was not pleased with most of them because ended up craving evil resulting in sin, and God’s judgment upon all of them.

Application: Many of us are in Christ, and we thank GOD for salvation in Christ. But some of us might rely on certain knowledge, believing we are strong in the Lord, not realizing it might be leading to arrogance in ourselves. See there’s a tendency for us to “ok” certain things for ourselves. There are places we like to go, things we like to watch, and things we like to do, which are not evil of themselves, based on what we understand from and about GOD. But we must ask ourselves the question, does the thing that I deem as “ok”, potentially harm somebody else and the entire body of Christ? Does it hinder the effect of the gospel in someone else’s life? If it does, we are not as strong as we claim because we’re not acting in love.

Now Paul makes it clear, it’s not the one who is standing strong, but the one who thinks they are standing strong because of these things, must be careful not to disqualify themselves based on what they “ok”. Furthermore, no one is beyond the temptations that humanity deals with.

Application:

Trust in God’s faithfulness to protect us from evil