Sources
Blueletterbible,org
Freebiblecommentary Dr, Bob Utley
1 Corinthians 10:8 KJV
[8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Some believe this refers to Numbers 25
Numbers 25:1 KJV
[1] And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
Numbers 25:9 KJV
[9] And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
They say either Paul misquoted the number by a thousand or that having a precise number was not as important as we count it. Others think it might refer to
Exodus 32:35 KJV
[35] And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
This interpretation fits in with verse 6 Exodus 32:6 KJV
[6] And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
With play interpreted as sexual immorality and verse 35 not giving a number on how many God plagued because of the calf.
In a society steeped in immorality intermingled with idol worship this would have been a relevant statement as it is in our sex saturated society. The main point is that no matter what the culture says, sexual sin is a serious issue that God does not take lightly and neither should we.
1 Corinthians 10:9 KJV
[9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Numbers 21:5 KJV
[5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
(tempt - men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted
by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.)
In this passage it appears that they tempted The Lord by speaking their lack of faith and voicing their discontentment.
Proverbs 18:21 KJV
[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
1 Corinthians 10:10 KJV
[10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Numbers 16:41-49 KJV
[41] But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. [42] And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. [43] And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. [44] And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, [45] Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. [46] And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord ; the plague is begun. [47] And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. [48] And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. [49] Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. …
Paul may have included this due to some unfounded grumblings against himself. Be careful against complaining against God's workers or the work of God or just complaining in general; it is not a good practice and can be hazardous to your well-being as well. This does not give Christian workers are not to be scrutinized or held accountable or their work or behavior.
I believe it is believers responsibility to hold one another accountable, especially those who in positions of leadership, morals, sound doctrine, acting in love not showing partiality etc...
1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV
[11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Some believe this refers to the age we live in, the time of the Messiah, the days of redemption through Christ, the last days before the end of this world as we know it. While we live in this age we can still learn from the behaviors of ancient Israel and God's dealing with them.
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 KJV
[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
A warning against pride. Thinking that you have it all down, you got this, I can't fall. We must remember that we do not stand on our on moral fortitude but we stand in the grace of God. We are saved by grace, and it is by His grace that I stand. I depend upon His grace to save me not only from the penalty of sin but from its power as well. I must stay humble before Him.
James 4:6 KJV
[6] But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Temptation - the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy
a) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
I) an internal temptation to sin
(of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand)
II) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness
III) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness
The key part of this verse is that God is faithful. We escape temptation because of the faithfulness of God not our own goodness.
Hebrews 2:17-18 KJV
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. [18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I thought of citing passages that would give us formulas or techniques for escaping temptation but in keeping with the scripture I will say that we look to Jesus for deliverance from temptation. In trusting Him and obeying Him
we find escape and the strength to endure any temptation we face. We find it all in Him, by abiding in Him, walking in sweet fellowship with our Lord and Savior through the Holy Spirit.
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Saturday, September 20, 2014
Saturday, September 13, 2014
1 Corinthians 10:7 KJV
[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Ephesians 5:5 KJV
[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
The god of materialism.
One of the most relevant idols we are tempted to bow down is the god of money, mammon, riches, materialism, finer things of life, greed, the material things that war against the immaterial, which in a philosophical sense refers to the spiritual.
As material beings existing in a material world we must deal with material things, but if not careful the things we possess or things we desire to possess can become a rival to God. God desires the best for His children, contrary to what many may believe and the nagging mindset that plagues many a soul, having an abundance of the material wealth of this world does not equal the best God has in store.
From a biblical standpoint here are some reasons material wealth is not the same as the abundant life God has for us.
Matthew 6:19-34 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
1. If our life is all about material wealth, we cannot truly serve God.
Matthew 6:24 KJV
[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
As believers, we know the truth, we want to be serving God for we know everything else is
peripheral.
2. A materialistic mindset plunges the soul into darkness.
Matthew 6:22-23 KJV
[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! …
We do not see clearly when we are consumed and ruled by materialistic desires. Jesus says how great is the darkness, we may believe we are in God's will but be far from it if we let greed rule in our life.
3. Materialism takes our heart.
Matthew 6:21 KJV
[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV
[23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
I view the heart as the command center that controls the direction and the pace of our life. If my life is all about riches, what course will it take?
4. Riches are temporal.
Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: …
5. Greed is a trap
1 Timothy 6:5-10 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. …
The deceptive trap of riches that promise security and happiness but brings harm to the soul.
6. We have a Heavenly Father who Jesus promised would take care of us.
Matthew 6:25-34 KJV
[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
The text speaks for itself. I do not blame unbelievers for chasing after the things of this world, they do not have this hope we have but as believers we have no excuse for giving into the God of materialism, God has given us all things.
2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
How do I know if I have given in to greed?
One of the best ways indicators is if I am willing to compromise my moral walk for money? Will I sacrifice my integrity or honesty for material wealth.
Another indicator is if material wealth occupies my mind and consumes my time more than is necessary.
Does it pain me to give to God?
Does it pain me to give to others?
Is the direction of my life based on dollar signs or the word of God and the Holy Spirit.
If we answered yes to any of these we should do some serious praying about it.
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[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Ephesians 5:5 KJV
[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
The god of materialism.
One of the most relevant idols we are tempted to bow down is the god of money, mammon, riches, materialism, finer things of life, greed, the material things that war against the immaterial, which in a philosophical sense refers to the spiritual.
As material beings existing in a material world we must deal with material things, but if not careful the things we possess or things we desire to possess can become a rival to God. God desires the best for His children, contrary to what many may believe and the nagging mindset that plagues many a soul, having an abundance of the material wealth of this world does not equal the best God has in store.
From a biblical standpoint here are some reasons material wealth is not the same as the abundant life God has for us.
Matthew 6:19-34 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
1. If our life is all about material wealth, we cannot truly serve God.
Matthew 6:24 KJV
[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
As believers, we know the truth, we want to be serving God for we know everything else is
peripheral.
2. A materialistic mindset plunges the soul into darkness.
Matthew 6:22-23 KJV
[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! …
We do not see clearly when we are consumed and ruled by materialistic desires. Jesus says how great is the darkness, we may believe we are in God's will but be far from it if we let greed rule in our life.
3. Materialism takes our heart.
Matthew 6:21 KJV
[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV
[23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
I view the heart as the command center that controls the direction and the pace of our life. If my life is all about riches, what course will it take?
4. Riches are temporal.
Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: …
5. Greed is a trap
1 Timothy 6:5-10 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. …
The deceptive trap of riches that promise security and happiness but brings harm to the soul.
6. We have a Heavenly Father who Jesus promised would take care of us.
Matthew 6:25-34 KJV
[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
The text speaks for itself. I do not blame unbelievers for chasing after the things of this world, they do not have this hope we have but as believers we have no excuse for giving into the God of materialism, God has given us all things.
2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
How do I know if I have given in to greed?
One of the best ways indicators is if I am willing to compromise my moral walk for money? Will I sacrifice my integrity or honesty for material wealth.
Another indicator is if material wealth occupies my mind and consumes my time more than is necessary.
Does it pain me to give to God?
Does it pain me to give to others?
Is the direction of my life based on dollar signs or the word of God and the Holy Spirit.
If we answered yes to any of these we should do some serious praying about it.
Sent from my iPad
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