1 Corinthians 10:12-14

Scripture: 1 Cor. 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

1 Cor. 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Teaching: Paul has given many examples up to this point illustrating how, even though the Israelites of the Exodus generation witnessed countless miracles (daily in the case of manna from the sky), they were not immune to idolatry. It’s easy to believe that if we saw real miracles with our own eyes, we would not doubt the Lord nor ever turn away from Him. But this is simply not the case. We humans are weak vessels, tempted continually by fleshly and worldly desires. We grow restless in waiting, bored in monotony, hungry in deprivation, and lustful in yearning. Said another way, it’s not hard to serve the Lord when our every want and need is met. But when we do not receive that, temptation stands at the door. 

However, in these verses, Paul teaches us that God will not allow temptation to overcome us. Because He is faithful, and He desires for his children to turn to Him for all things, He will provide a way of escape — not necessarily so all will be made better, but so that we “may be able to endure it.” Endure it until when? That depends. That could be a season of life or our entire life until we go to be with Him in eternity. Regardless, He is faithful to provide us the way. And as Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

So what are we to do in the meantime? We are to flee from idolatry. Flee from temptation. We are not to fight it like some swashbuckling fencer, engaging with it on our terms. No, God knows our weakness; but in our weakness, He is strong. We are called to flee that temptation, that idolatry, back to the Father. 

Takeaway: Paul often speaks of building up new Christians in the faith, raising them from spiritual infants to the spiritually mature. That is one of the major themes of all his letters, and what makes them so pastoral. He is shepherding his flock to growth and maturity in the Lord. This is a key passage in which he gives crucial advice towards spiritual maturity. Paul teaches here that the mature Christian is not the one who can enjoy their Christian freedom without sin, but rather the one who understands the danger of serving the flesh. Paul is like the wisened elder who knows what lies at the end of that road, having traveled it himself, and counsels the young not to tread it. The same wisdom holds true today. We are all capable, and likely, to convince ourselves of our own ability to resist falling into sin — but the Israelites in the Exodus are example enough of that folly. It is better to flee temptation, and flee idolatry, than foolishly attempt to keep it on a leash.