Joshua 1:8
"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
This chapter is very comforting. ha... just kidding.
ReplyDeleteVerses 12 and 13 are an excellent reminder
Hahaha Joel you stole my line.
ReplyDeleteV. 11-13 speak to us about standing strong against temptation, and I like where it says "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man..." in that we have a tendency to think of ourselves as unique/different from everyone else. And not that we're not special, but we are not tempted by things that others haven't faced. Others have the same temptations and worse, but in the strength of Jesus (not our own) we can fight that temptation and be victorious. Where I am not totally clear here is the next part in that God will not tempt us with more than we can handle... But if we are relying on God and not ourselves, is it really what WE can handle, or what HE can handle? Or is the correct response to the temptation TO rely on Him, and that is the escape/victory?
v15-22 also jumped out at me. Not because I worship in pagan temples and eat sacrifices but because it addresses motives, and makes things black and white. As Josh knows, I really really really like grey area. But these verses talk about your intentions. "Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? " While they weren't worshiping the demons, they were dining in the temples, and they were eating sacrificed food just the same. While I think intentions do matter, I think these verses look at the bigger picture: ie Josiah didn't intend to whack a cranky Liam with his stomp rocket, it doesn't matter if he meant it or not, Liam is still hit just the same. Likewise, whether or not these Christians were spiritually participating in the pagan rituals, they were consuming the sacrificed food.
And then of course v 31-33. The kicker. Do all for the glory of God.
I think it is that God will not allow us to be tempted more than WE can handle in that He will always provide a way out of it. So yes the correct response to temptation is to turn to Him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interpretation of v15-22. We were trying to find a current application of what he's talking about. I see what you're saying about Josiah and Liam. How about a scenario as adult believers. I'm still a little confused by this one.
Amen to v31-33
So one scenario I thought of for adult believers would be gossiping... Probably not as much of an issue in the male world because small talk seems to always go straight to sports, but for women - even the Christian ones ;-) It definitely happens. Only it will be different. The non-believer will talk about their friend whose husband is having an affair. The believer will also talk about their friend whose husband is having an affair, only it will be phrased as "we have to pray for June and her husband because did you hear he is having an affair?" Essentially, it is still gossip, even if there is some intention to pray for June and her husband it isn't looking all that different from the non-believer.
DeleteWould that work as a comparison?
Yes that makes sense. Thank you!
DeleteSorry I've been MIA! I got behind at work yesterday and was unable to catch up the rest of the day. I like your interpretation of v. 15 - 22 Mary, but I think it's much broader than that. I think you could simply look at it as Paul urging believers to maintain a lifestyle that is seperate/different from those around us. While we are called to be in the world and a light unto the world, we are commanded to not be of the world. This is what sanctification means. Likewise, we drink from the cup of Christ and thus ought not to drink from the cup of demons.
ReplyDeleteCome on Josh, forget work! This is the blog we're talking about here. :)
DeleteThis makes sense too. This can be a challenge sometimes because when we get out into the world, especially with our unsaved friends, it is easy to get sucked into old habits... having a little too much to drink, laughing at jokes we shouldn't.....not doing things that bring honor to Christ.