“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Paul addressed a dangerous attitude manifested by some of the Corinthian believers who viewed the Lord’s Table and Baptism in a somewhat superstitious manner. They assumed these rites gave them automatic blessings that protected them from falling into sin. Eventually, they also assumed that nothing they did was sinful. Thus they had nothing to fear from flirting with idolatry or engaging in sexual immorality because they were protected by their glorified spiritual freedom and status.
Paul reminded them that the ancient Israelites had shared a similar attitude because of their status as the chosen people. Yet when they engaged in sexual immorality and idolatry and were severely punished: they died in the wilderness without ever seeing the Promised Land. Paul let the believers know that God’s discipline awaited them if they continued in their immorality. Rather than considering their flirtations with sin to be the mere exercise of Christian freedom, they must reject sin and resist temptation.
In the 21st Century our culture ignores or redefines sin as something normal and acceptable. Sin is profitable fodder for the media and the entertainment industry. It is exalted and promoted as something which is a personal right or lifestyle choice with no adverse consequences. And many Christians buy into this lie and do the same. After all, everyone else is doing it. If it feels so good it can’t be wrong.
The allure and temptation is great but with God’s help it can always be resisted so we need never sin. There is always a way of escape that God provides. And though we know we fall, we know we have forgiveness for our sins. And yet, we should never presume that we can do whatever we want anyway. Paul lets us know that though temptation is acceptable in the world, in the Kingdom of God it is evil and destructive. Sin always has consequences.