Weekly Pulpit 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Human nature is the same in every age. The old Israelites differed from us in all those things which we class under the term "civilisation"; but as moral beings they were precisely the same. Like them we are in danger of — I. LUSTING AFTER EVIL THINGS. Those Israelites should have been contented with what God provided for them; instead, they let appetite master them, and set them thinking of the self-indulgencies of Egypt; thinking begat longing, and longing lusting, and lusting repining, which destroyed trust in God. So they had to be severely punished. Is not hankering after something other than God provides one of the great sins of our times? We want pleasures which we see worldly people have; and we lust after them. But remember what the wilderness life of God's ancient people teaches. We go wrong if we refuse to keep our wishes narrowly within the limits of God's will. II. IDOLATRY. At first it might seem as if this were no modern peril. But the essential idea of idolatry is putting somebody, or something else, into the place which belongs, of right, to God alone. We can do this without acknowledging any Jupiter or Vishnu. Perhaps we are making pleasure our idol; many make science their idol; it is quite possible to have a family idol. Whatever form it takes it becomes a serious Christian peril. III. SENSUALITY. The apostle had in mind the act of Balaam, who advised Balak to entice the people by allowing free intercourse with the Moabitish women. And sensuality was one of the chief sins of Corinth. But who can read the revelations of our law courts, and of society life, without feeling the need of this warning. IV. PRESUMPTION It must always be wrong to put God to the test, as if we doubted Him. We should never risk a doubtful or wrong thing in the hope that it will pass. A man may take advantage of God; presume upon what is his will, without asking Him. "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Then we should ever pray, "Keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins." V. MURMURINGS. Troubles and disappointments and failures are Divine testings of our professed trust; and for us to complain and fret and murmur is plainly to show lost submission and lost trust. Happy indeed are they who can trust when they cannot trace. Conclusion: 1. "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 2. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. |
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