Until the day we arise to Heaven, we shall always face temptation. It is with us as long as we are in our carnal bodies. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor 10:1-2). The forefathers referred here are the Israelites whom God had delivered out of Egypt. God had provided them with a cloud to shield them from the searing heat in the day and a pillar of fire to guide them in the night. The Red Sea was parted for their crossing. The Israelites were people who have experienced the power of God personally, but yet most did not reach the Promised Land because they succumbed to temptations. Will all of us arrive in the Promised Land? Like the Israelites who went through the wilderness, we are going through the wilderness of the world. As we do so, we must keep in mind that we are in the world, but not of the world. The significance of baptism is to declare that one is no longer of this world. 

“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” (1 Cor 10:13). Like all men, we face temptations, be it sexual temptations, laziness, pride of life, covetousness, or habitual sins like telling lies or pretending to be who we are not. There are three sources of temptations: the flesh, the world and the devil, though one may say that all come from the third. No one is an exception, for all are sinful and thus vulnerable to temptations, as even Paul cried for deliverance of his wretched self from his body. However, what is different for us is that we have God. Temptations shall not bring us down, neither shall we remain fallen, because we are sons of God. God assures us that there is a way of escape, only that we have to call out to Him. God is faithful and His grace shall deliver us from temptations. We must have strong resolutions, always pray — pray earnestly every morning, before we go into the world, be it the market place or office. Cry before the throne of grace for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to fight our daily battles. We must have our weapons ready before the battles start, and our weapons are our prayers and the Word. God never changes, and He will remember us for we are bought with a price, and our prayers will be answered according to our faith. 

“And did all eat the same spiritual meat” (1 Cor 10:3). God catered manna for the two million Israelites in the wilderness. Similarly for us, Jesus is our spiritual bread — the Bread of Life, for whoever believeth in him shall never die. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). God commanded Moses to strike a rock and from within came water. Similarly for us, Jesus is the Rock who quenches our thirst by providing us with life-giving drink. 

“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Cor 10:5). Despite these provisions, the Israelites murmured. Neither do they believe in Joshua and Caleb but instead trusted the words of the other ten spies. They did not believe that God will deliver them into the Promised Land. They even threatened to stone their leaders. As such, they paid for their faithlessness, the ten spies were killed and so were half a million Israelites in the next 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. We are often like them, daunted by the world and forgetting the power of God. 

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (1 Cor 10:6). Read the Word prayerfully for guidance against temptations. “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” (1 Cor 10:7). Keep away from the practice of idolatry; be not like the Israelites who had turned to worship a golden calf when Moses was not with them. “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (1 Cor 10:8). And refrain from sexual activities outside wedlock for it will kindle the wrath of God. 

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). We are like standing on a slippery slope, for unless we take care, we shall fall. Pray not only by your lips, but from your heart for God’s guidance against temptations.  Amen!

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