1 Corinthians 10 -- All About Me, In More Ways Than I Knew

Paul had already shown that knowledge must be balanced by love and that authority must be balanced by discipline.  Now he also shows us that experience must be balanced by caution and freedom must be balanced by responsibility,” my commentary said.

First, Paul warns us that when we’re strong in the faith, we’d better watch out for overconfidence to creep in.  Sure, we have experience, and that should lead us to be cautious because of what we’ve experienced in the past, not headstrong!

“He warned that privileges were no guarantee of success, that good beginnings do not guarantee good endings, and that God can enable us to overcome temptation IF we heed His Word.”  Anytime we think that we are super strong Christians, able to handle anything that comes along, including temptation, we are setting ourselves up to fail.  Instead, we should be like a professional driver, trained in security and kidnap evasion – wary of every circumstance, knowing Satan will try to get us when we least expect it!  “The believer who thinks he can stand may fall; but the believer who flees temptation will be able to stand.”

Regarding our freedom, Paul said, “All things are lawful, but not everything is profitable, and some things lead to slavery (like cigarettes?) … All things are profitable but some activities cause your weaker brother to stumble.  In other words, it is a mark of maturity when we balance our freedom with responsibility … we have a responsibility to our fellow Christians in the church … we are not free to harm another believer … We are responsible to God for all things.  We cannot glorify God by causing another Christian to stumble … and we are responsible to win the lost.  We must not make it difficult [for anyone] to trust the Lord, or for other members of the church to witness for the Lord.  We must not live to seek our own benefit (profit), but also the benefit of others, that they might be saved.”

My commentary wrapped it up like this:  “The strong Christian not only has knowledge, but he also has experience.  He can look back and see how the Lord has dealt with him through the years.  But he must be careful, for experience must be balanced with caution.  Take heed, lest you fall!  The strong Christian knows that he has this freedom, but he also knows that freedom involves responsibility.”

Father, thank You for the warnings when I tend to get too cocky about my Christian maturity.  Keep reminding me that I’m only one temptation away from a fall.  And help me to fully know who all would be hurt by that fall.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford