1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:1

After using himself as an example of what it means to lay down one’s liberty sacrificially, here in chapter 10, Paul will use the nation of Israel as an example of those who lost their liberty needlessly. After being released from bondage, God’s people were led through the wilderness by a cloud. Why a cloud? With the desert temperature rising, the Lord said, “I’m going to guide you by providing a covering from the sun for you. When the cloud moves, simply move with it.” I love this because as we journey with the Lord, we’ve got it made in the shade. That’s the way He moves, the way He guides. People sweat and struggle and strive to determine the will of God. “Where should I go? What should I do?” they askwhen in reality, their question simply should be, “Where is the shade?” Oh, the goodness of the Lord. “Keep cool,” He says. “Where the cloud goes is where I want you.”

1 Corinthians 10:3

Baptized in the Red Sea, led by the Lord as they stayed in the shade, fed with manna every morning, the nation of Israel drank water from a RockJesus Christthe perpetual source of refreshment (Joh_7:37).

1 Corinthians 10:5

“With many of them God was not well pleased” is an understatement of mammoth proportion, for of the three million Jews who left Egypt and were provided for supernaturally, only two entered the Promised Land.

1 Corinthians 10:6

The wandering in the wilderness and warfare in the Promised Land are not simply historical incidents, but they’re to be practical illustrations for our personal application. We’re to learn lessons from themone of which is that, even though we are set free, even though we are at liberty, lust will trip us up. The reference is to Numbers 11, where we read that, tiring of manna, the Israelites lusted after meat. Isn’t that what lust really isnot being satisfied with what God has given us, wanting something or someone different? “Oh, sure, manna is supernatural. Sure, it’s miraculousbut we want meat to eat,” they said. So God said to Moses, “Give them meat.” “How are we going to do that?” asked Moses. “Do You want me to kill the cattle that we are bringing into the Promised Landor do You want me to fish the Red Sea?” Moses made a mistake I often make. He looked at his options and said, “Okay, Lord, which of these two do You want?” He failed to understand that the Lord had an alternative he could never have imagined. God sent so many quail their way that His people ate until they could eat no more. The psalmist sheds further light on this when he says, “God gave them their request, but He sent leanness to their soul” (see Psa_106:14, Psa_106:15). That’s the way lust is. Never satisfied, it brings leanness to the soul, weakness to the body, emptiness to the spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:7

The reference here is to Exodus 32. Tired of waiting for Moses to return from Mount Sinai, the people pressed Aaron to fashion a golden calf from their jewelrynot to compete against Jehovah, but to be a visible, tangible representation of Him. Many cultures at that time considered the cow to be representative of deity. Why? The cow is a gentle yet powerful animal that provides milk for its young. But here’s the problem with idolatry: If I allow anything or anyone to represent God to me, it will, at best, be only a partial representation of the full nature and character of the Father. You see, if I look at God as only being a cow in the sense of gently providing for His young, I need not fear if I act immorally in His sight. Yes, God is gentle. Yes He provides graciouslybut He is also lionlike in His holiness and purity. Therefore, I err greatly when I ignore this aspect of His nature. You may not have a Buddha on your mantel or a shrine in your homebut watch out that you don’t allow a person, author, ministry, or book to represent God to you. That’s idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:8

Referring to the Numbers 25 account wherein, after committing fornication with the women of Moab, twenty-three thousand died in one day and one thousand more shortly thereafter, Paul says, “In the glorious life of liberty which you enjoy, make sure your freedom doesn’t lead to immorality.” “I can watch that. I can go there,” we say of the questionable movie or activityunaware that immorality kills. It kills our marriages and our families, our witness and our joy.

1 Corinthians 10:9

“Why did you bring us out here in the wilderness to die?” the Israelites cried to Moses. “We had it made back in Egyptwhere there were onions and melons and leeks.” Even if they did have onions and melons and leeksan assumption many historians question in light of the fact that such crops were cultivated only in Israel and unknown in Egypt at that timethe cry of the children of Israel is so much like ours when we long for the old gang, the wild parties, the fun times, and fail to remember the loneliness, the emptiness, the guilt; when we long for the melons, onions, and leeks, but fail to remember the laboring, the beatings, the slavery of Egypt. Don’t tempt Christ by saying, “I miss the old days. My job is a drag. Why am I stuck with him?“for when I complain about my situation, I am directly complaining about Christ, the One who allowed me to be in the situation in the first place.

1 Corinthians 10:10

After being covered by the cloud and provided for by the goodness and graciousness of the Father, as the Israelites were poised to enter the Land of Promise, Moses sent twelve spies to check out the land. And although they returned with reports of its beauty, although they returned with fruit as proof of its productivity, they also returned with reports of Anakimgiants they believed were sure to squish them like bugs should they dare to enter (Num_13:26-33). But there were two spies who had a different perspective. “Don’t rebel against the Lord,” said Joshua and Caleb. “Don’t fear the people of the land, for they are our bread” (see Num_14:9). I love that! Caleb said, “These giants are bread for us. We’ll eat them up. And as a result, we’ll actually be stronger for battle.” Forty years later, it was to an eighty-five-year-old Caleb that Joshua said, “We made it, Caleb. Out of the original three million, it’s just you and me. Take any territory you want. It’s time to retire.” But what does Caleb say? Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.Jos_14:12 “Don’t give me a beach cabin, give me the mountain where giants live,” said Caleb. “Why? Because I’m hungry for some bread.” When you pray the Lord’s prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread,” think Anakim. You see, we complain and murmur, “Why is this trial happening? Why that? Why not the other?” when in reality, the very situations or people about which we murmur are those through which God wants to strengthen us. That which seems so big and so intimidating are Anakimand it is the wise man or woman who, like Caleb, says “You’ve let them cross my path, Lord, therefore they must be there to make me stronger.” Can you imagine how different our homes would be if we really believed that the trials that come our way and the giants that loom before us are actually beneficial to us if we would eat them up in faith? “More bills?” we’d say, “Great! Keep them coming. Another rejection notice? All right!” Most will die murmuring in the wilderness. “If God loves me, why doesn’t He…?” or “How come this giant is marching toward me?” But there will be thoseand I pray I might be one and you might be the otherwho will say, “Giants? I smell bread. Pass the butter!”

1 Corinthians 10:11

When you pore over the Scriptures, realize the Father provided powerful, pointed, and sometimes even shocking examples to teach us important lessons. “Don’t miss them,” says Paul. Read your Bible looking for the lessons, for the examples that you might be made wiser. The old adage is true indeed: Experience is the best teacher. It doesn’t, however, have to be our experience. Do you realize how good the Lord is to let His people learn those lessons so we could gain understanding? “But what about them?” you ask. “Is it right that they had to suffer and even die so we could be made the wiser?” God is fair. Being an example to us may have been the fulfillment of their highest ministry. And it is possible that they will be hugely important in eternity because they fulfilled their appointed purpose in providing lessons for believers like us to study for centuries.

1 Corinthians 10:12

After miraculously delivering them from bondage in Egypt, God’s intent was to lead His people directly to the Promised Land. According to verses 1Co_10:6-12, however, lust, idolatry, immorality, and murmuring kept all but Joshua and Caleb from ever reaching the land He had for them. So, too, the Lord has graciously delivered us from the bondage of sin. It is His intent that we live a Spirit-filled, fruitful life here on earth. But the same sins that barred the Israelites from the Promised Land will prevent us from living the abundant life He has for us.

1 Corinthians 10:13

After twelve verses of caution, Paul gives this glorious word of comfort. Temptation A Topical Study of 1Co_10:13 “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” Paul said to the Corinthian Christians. Then, as he so often does, following this word of caution, Paul issues a word of comfort. “Take heed,” he says in verse 1Co_10:12. “Take hope,” he says in verse 1Co_10:13… An Enlightening Premise There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…1Co_10:13 (a) So often, people say, “I’m embarrassed to share that vulnerability, temptation, or problem because no one else goes through that, no one else thinks thoughts like that, no one else struggles with that.” Not so. You’d be shocked if you knew the temptations of the people sitting right next to you. Temptation in and of itself is not sin. And it’s common to everyone. Not only is temptation common to all men, but, more importantly, it is common to the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. 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.Heb_4:15 Jesus was tempted in all points. No matter what the sin, Jesus does not look with disgust at the person struggling with it and say, “How could you?” He looks at him with compassion and says, “I know what you’re going through.” 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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.Heb_2:17-18 An Encouraging Promise …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.1Co_10:13 (b) You might be fickle. I know I am frail. But God is faithful, and He will not allow the temptation I face to become too intense, but He will make a way of escape every time. Sometimes I close my eyes and say, “I don’t see it,“but in reality, a way of escape is always there for you and me if we’ll choose to see it. “That’s great as far as it relates to theology,” you say. “But how does it work out practically? How does it work out in my situation where I’m vulnerable to murmuring about my job, lusting after that Lexus, or prone to immorality?” Listen, gang, whenever you want to know how some aspect of the Word works out, look to the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, and you’ll see it lived out practically… As He came out of the waters of baptism, Jesus heard a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mat_3:17). Immediately after that, Scripture tells us He was driven into the wilderness where He would be tempted by Satan in a profound and significant way. Those who study such things tell us that the return of the appetite after a fast for a great period of time is the body’s way of saying it’s on the threshold of death. Therefore, the fact that Jesus was hungry after fasting forty days indicates He was physiologically at the point of death. It was at this point that Satan came to Him, saying, “If thou be the Son of God…” In other words, “Didn’t Your Father just tell You that You were His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased? If that’s so, why are You dying of starvation? Why not command these stones to be made into bread?” he hissed, tempting Jesus to doubt His Father’s provision (Mat_4:3). Satan will whisper that same temptation into your ear or mine. “Why aren’t you satisfied materially, physically, relationally, or vocationally?” he’ll say. “I thought you were God’s child. I thought you were born again. Why, then, are you still hungry?” What did Jesus do? Quoting Deu_8:3, He said, “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” I believe it was audibly and forcefully that Jesus said, “It is written, Satan, that man is not satiated by material bread, but by the Word of God.” Then the devil took Him into Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and tempted Jesus to doubt His Father’s protection. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “cast yourself down. After all, Psalms 91 says He shall give His angels charge over thee, and they shall bear thee up lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (see Mat_4:6). In other words, Satan said, “Jump. Take a leap of faith. Are You afraid Your Father won’t protect You? Jumpand see how the Father comes through for You.” Satan can quote Scripturebut he purposely left out a very important phrase, for Psa_91:11 actually says, “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways"not to do our thing, but to walk in God’s way. So, too, Satan will come to you and me, saying, ““Jump! Start the business. Take a leap of faith. Name it and claim it. Doesn’t the Father care about you? Surely, He won’t let you hit bottom. Just jump into that relationship. He hasn’t directed itbut He won’t let you crash, will He?” How did Jesus answer Satan’s temptation to doubt the Father’s protection? Quoting Deu_6:16, He said, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Again, I believe it was audibly and forcefully that Jesus said, “I will not test My Father. If He wants Me to jump, He’ll set Me up and tell Me when.” Jesus balanced Psalms 91 with Deuteronomy 6, comparing Scripture with Scripture. All too often, people crash in the name of faith because, on the basis of a single verse, they jump off, hit bottom, and wonder why. That is why it is so essential to be a student of the entire Wordchapter by chapter, verse by verse, steadily and consistently receiving the full counsel of God. Finally, the devil took Jesus to a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and tempted Him to doubt His Father’s promise by saying, “All of this will be Yours if You will fall down and worship me” (see Mat_4:9). Truly, the world was Satan’s to give. The title deed to planet earth was his. Adam and Eve had handed it to him when they chose to listen to him instead of God in the Garden of Eden. “It is written,” Jesus said, again quoting from Deu_6:13, “thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.” And again, I believe it was audibly and forcefully that Jesus said, “I will worship My Father only, singularly, exclusively.” Concerning any temptation we face, what is the way of escape? First, we are to stay in the Word. To overcome temptation, lust, fornication, murmuringand everything else that can trip you upstay in the Word. I believe the reason Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6-8 is because it was that passage upon which He was meditating at the moment Satan came to tempt Him. Stay in the Word, gang. It is the Sword of the Spirit with which you can do battle with the Enemy most effectively. Second, we are to speak out the Word. In His wilderness temptation, Jesus spoke audibly. Satan cannot read your mind. He cannot look into your heart. Therefore, he is beat back by what we say. …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.Heb_13:5 (b), Heb_13:6 “He hath said…that we may say,” the writer of Hebrews declared. It’s not, “He hath said that we may think,” or, “He hath said that we may know,” or even, “He hath said that we may pray,” but, “He hath said that we may say.” Therefore, I suggest that speaking the Word at the moment of temptation changes the entire situation. Since the words “It is written” are like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard to Satan, I challenge you to speak them the next time you’re tempted. Whatever the challenge might be, speak the Word audibly and watch how it changes the atmosphere radically. Finally, we are to submit to the Word. Both Satan and Jesus knew the Scriptures. Both spoke the Scriptures. But only Jesus submitted to the Scriptures. Big difference. Jesus wasn’t using the Word like a magic charm or incantation to cause Satan to flee. Rather, He was committing Himself to obey it completely. Jesus did what the Word said, and that is where the power is. For example, maybe you find yourself wanting to gossip about your boss or murmur against your wife. But, knowing the Word says to bless those who persecute and despitefully use you, you choose instead to pray for them. That is what it means to be submitted to the Word. And that is what renders Satan powerless. Staying in the Word, speaking out the Word, submitting to the Wordif we do these things as Jesus modeled them for us, there will be a wide-open door through which we can escape temptation very easily. Try it. You’ll see.

1 Corinthians 10:14

Flee from any person, any activity, any hobby, or idea that gets in the way of your relationship with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:15

Paul’s argument is not one of legalism, but of wisdom.

1 Corinthians 10:16

Following his answer regarding sacrifices to idols, Paul changes the subject from physical meat to spiritual meatthe Lord’s Supper. The Greek word translated “communion” is koinonia, or “oneness.”

1 Corinthians 10:17

The culture to which Paul was speaking understood something we don’t. That is, they looked at sharing a meal as being one of the most intimate expressions possible between two people or a group of people. Why? Before the days of silverware, people would eat reclined around a low table, sharing pieces of bread from a common loaf they dipped into a common dish filled with a stewlike sauce. Therefore, because they were eating of the same bread and meat, they believed they were uniquely bonded through the common nutrients they were sharing. As Christians, when we come to the Lord’s table to eat of the same loaf and drink of the same vine, there’s a oneness, a koinonia between us as well as a oneness between us and Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:18

Israel understood the koinonia of Communion, for when the Jews offered their peace offerings to the Lord in the tabernacle, and later in the temple, part of the meat sacrificed would rise to the Lord in smoke. They were able to eat of the remainder. Thus, through the peace offering, they were able to commune with God as they shared meat together.

1 Corinthians 10:19

Deu_32:17 is one of many Old Testament Scriptures that indicate that when the people of Israel offered sacrifices to idols, they actually offered them to demons. An idol in and of itself is nothing. But demonic entities can, indeed, be connected to idols.

1 Corinthians 10:21

In chapter 8, Paul said it was perfectly acceptable to eat meat that had been offered to idols. Here, he’s saying one can’t eat at both the Lord’s table and the table of the demons. Is he contradicting himself? No. You see, it’s not the meat, but the meeting that is the problem, for while it was permissible to buy meat in the shambles, it was not permissible to take part in idol worship in the temples. What does this mean for us today? It means that, although I have liberty to go into certain bars or social scenes to have a Pepsi, if that place has been dedicated to devilish activity, I shouldn’t be there. I can’t hang out with the demons on Saturday night and come to church Sunday expecting things to be hunky-dory. It just doesn’t work that way.

1 Corinthians 10:22

If I hang around places where the atmosphere is corrupt, I push the Lord to jealousy. Why is He jealous? When you or I get jealous, it’s because we feel threatened. The Lord’s jealousy, however, is entirely different. He’s not jealous of other gods. He’s jealous for you and me. If you saw someone’s face on the screen of America’s Most Wanted whom you recognized as someone who had asked one of the women of your fellowship out to dinner, you would say, “I saw this guy on TV. He’s a mass murderer. Stay away from him.” If she said, “Oh, you’re just jealous,” it would be because she failed to understand that you were not jealous of him, but jealous for her. So, too, the Lord is not jealous of pipsqueak demonic entities. They’re not a threat to Him. But He’s jealous for us. He doesn’t want to see us destroyed. Therefore, He’ll do whatever is necessary to bring us back to where we need to be.

1 Corinthians 10:23

It’s not a matter of, “Can I go there; can I do this?” Everything is lawful. The question is: Do you want to be hanging out with demons? Do you want to provoke the Lord to jealousy? “Give Me Liberty!” A Topical Study of 1Co_10:23 “I’m not really interested in Christianity,” some people tell me. “I’m not interested in being born again.” “Why?” I ask. “Because I’m not into all of the do’s and don’ts, the rules and regulations, the restrictions and the limitations you church people are under. I want my liberty,” they’ll say. And that’s when I really get excited. “Wonderful!” I say, “because liberty is Jesus’ specialty.” The world is mixed up. Our culture is a mess. People are mistaken about life, about liberty, about freedom. They don’t understand that we become enslaved by the very sins we commit in the name of freedom. That’s why Jesus cameto set us free to live life the way it was meant to be lived. As believers, we are the freest of all people, for what other religion, philosophy, or ethic dares to say, “All things are lawful”? “Then what is the law for?” you say. “Why should we even study the Old Testament at all?” Following are three aspects of the law that I believe will help us walk in liberty… The Purpose of the Law Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.Gal_3:24-25 “Here is the purpose of the law,” Paul says. “It is to be a schoolmaster to show us we are sinners.” People basically feel they’re pretty good. That’s why they write books entitled, I’m OK, You’re OK. It’s not until they see God’s standards of holiness and righteousness that they change the title from I’m OK, You’re OK to God’s OK, and We’re Not. When I play basketball with five-year-old Benjamin, I’m awesome. I get over half the rebounds; I make over half my lay-ups. When I play against seventeen-year-old Peter-John, however, suddenly I’m not quite as goodand getting worse all the time! But if I were to play Michael Jordan, it would be downright ugly. You see, if my standard is Benny, I’m pretty good. If my standard is Michael, I’m a basketball basket case. That’s why the law was given. “I’m pretty good,” people say as they compare themselves to the guy next door. But when the Lord shows us His standard of holiness and righteousness, we suddenly realize we’re in big trouble. Once we realize this, once we see clearly our need for salvation, we become dead to the very rules and regulations that drove us to Jesus initially. I know this is so because in Romans 6-8three of the most important chapters in all of ScripturePaul tells us that when Jesus died on the Cross, we who are believers died with Him positionally. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.Rom_7:4 Suppose after this service is over, feeling a bit hungry, I go to Ron’s Market, stand at the counter with Twinkies in hand, and reach into my pocket, only to find I have no money. So I reach for my pistol, instead, and say, “Give me the Twinkies.” Looking rather shocked, Ron hands me the Twinkiesand I run out of the store, little knowing that Ron has pushed a button under his cash register that calls the County Sheriff. Arriving on the scene, they yell at me to stop. Instead, I fire a shot and hit one in the shoulder. Down he goes. But before I can get another shot off, the Deputy shoots me, and I fall down dead. Now, even though I broke numerous lawsarmed robbery, resisting arrest, assault with a deadly weaponI wouldn’t go to trial. Why? Not because the law changed, but because I’m dead. Dead men don’t go to trial. That’s the profound truth of Romans 7. The law is still there, and we’ve violated every single one of its requirements. But because we died with Christ, we’ll never go to trial. Instead, we’ll remain at liberty. The Place for the Law The purpose of the law is to show us we’re sinners. Yet even for unbelievers, the law has a place. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine…1Ti_1:8-10 The Lord created man to live in liberty. Yet due to the sin that permeates our society, the law is necessary to protect mankind from perversion that would otherwise run rampant. Perspective from the Law As believers, we are dead to the demands of the law. Yet it is our delight and privilege to discover the principles, the reasons the law was givenfor in them we gain perspective regarding the nature of our Father and the way He would have us navigate life successfully. We must gain perspective from the law because if we violate the principles embedded within it, there will be repercussions. Because of the finished work of Calvary, I am forgiven of past, present, and future sins in their entirety. Therefore, the repercussions don’t come from the Father but from my own sin. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Jer_2:19 “It’s not Me chasing you down,” God says. “It is your own sin that reproves you.” Tell this to your sons and daughters. Remind the new believer that God is not saying, “I’m going to track you down and do you in because you’ve been bad.” No, all things are lawful unto you. But because all things are not expedient, or profitable; because not all things edify, or build up, certain attitudes in and of themselves will tear you down, will do you in, will cause pain and sorrow. And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.Num_32:22-23 It is our sin, not God, that finds us out. It is our sin that tracks us down. But doesn’t the Father chasten His children? Yes. Hebrews 12 says there will indeed be chastening and correction. The parable of Luke 15 gives us insight concerning how this takes place… “Give me my inheritance, Dad. I want my freedom. I want my liberty. I want to go into the city,” said the son. “Okay,” said his father, “if that’s what you want.” But as, no doubt, the father knew he would, the son spent his money foolishly. When famine struck, he ended up eating pig slop with the pigs. “What am I doing here?” he finally asked himself. “I’ll go back to my father and beg him to allow me to be a slave in his house.” When his father saw him coming from a long way off, he ran out to meet himnot to point a finger at him, but to wrap his arms around him. That’s how the Father chastens. You see, when God chastens us, He simply allows those things we do that are wrong to bring about their own inevitable repercussions. In the story of the prodigal, the father didn’t say, “Uh-oh, my son’s headed for problems. I better send him an extra twenty dollars to see him through, or drive to the city and find out what he’s up to.” No, the father simply sat tight with a loving heart and waited patiently until the backsliding, the stupidity, the stubbornness of the son brought about their own inevitable repercussions. Yes, all things are lawful for mebut not all things are profitable for me. So what must I do? I must celebrate my liberty. I must study the Word regularlynot as one who is under rules, regulations, and restrictionsbut as one who understands that through the Old Testament laws and stories, we learn to navigate life successfully so that we won’t have to wander needlessly into the pigpens of the big city. Precious people, may we be those who understand that because of the Cross of Calvary, we are truly free. And may we be those who immerse ourselves in the Word in order that we might walk wisely in our liberty.

1 Corinthians 10:24

You may have the freedom to go to a certain place or to take part in a given activity. Again, the question is: What will your participation do to your brother? Even if it doesn’t affect you, will people who see you be made the poorer for it? Will their faith be compromised if they follow in your footsteps?

1 Corinthians 10:25

“Whether purchased in the shambles or eaten in one’s home, meat offered to idols is not a problem becausealong with the whole earthit is the Lord’s,” Paul declares. However, there is an exception… If someone makes a point of telling you the meat before you had been sacrificed to idols, he does so for a reason. Therefore, don’t partake lest he be made to stumble. Some commentators suggest the repetition of verse 1Co_10:26 is a mistake made by those who copied this letter. I don’t think so. In light of the passage preceding it, I believe Paul is underscoring this understanding to say, “If eating a steak would make your brother stumble, there’s an entire earth full of food you can choose to replace it.” This is an excellent word for our kids. “There’s nothing to do but that,” they say of questionable activities. “There’s nowhere to go but there,” they complain. “Wait a minute,” we as parents can say. “The whole earth is the Lord’s. Surely there are other things to do and other places to go where you won’t have to compromise your walk with Him.”

1 Corinthians 10:29

Paul voices the argument of the person who says, “I can thank the Lord for this piece of meat, so why should I pass it up?” He then answers it in the following verse…

1 Corinthians 10:31

The underlying reason for giving up liberty is an awareness of how it affects the salvation or walk of another. As he brings to a close this important question of Christian liberty, Paul gives three questions to ask ourselves regarding any activity… Can I thank the Lord in it? (verse 1Co_10:30) Will God be glorified through it? (verse 1Co_10:31) Will someone be tripped up by it? (verse 1Co_10:32). Like a weather vane that changes direction, depending upon which way the wind is blowing, the wise man will adjust his activities to the way the wind of the Spirit is moving.