Are you ready?

1 Corinthians 10 is filled with life lessons. Perhaps more important than anything else in the chapter, is the lesson in verses 7-13. What's the lesson? You will be tempted in many ways in this life, just like everybody else, and you have the choice whether to overcome the temptation or give in to it. But are you preparing to overcome those temptations? That is the question you have to answer.

Have you gotten a flu shot in the past? Did it keep you from getting the flu? I read a report this morning that the flu vaccine is only 56% effective. However, there is evidence that vitamin D is actually a much more effective way of avoiding the flu. Now if I could prove this was true, which path would you choose to take? As you read through verses 7-13, you get the impression that some people would still trust the flu shot, and some people would continue to do nothing to avoid the flu.

Paul begins the chapter with four blessings the Israelites had, and says all those blessings took place as an example for us, so we would not desire evil. Then Paul writes down four ways the same group of people who experienced those blessings acted in evil ways, against the God who had just blessed them. How could they forget?!? And then Paul tells us that these acts of evil were written down as an example of how not to live (and also as an example that anyone is susceptible to giving in to sin).

But the crux of the chapter is right there in verses 12-13. If you think you are above sin, be careful or you will get blind-sided by something you are not prepared to overcome. Every temptation you face, other people face as well. But God is faithful, and he will deliver you from that sin, if you choose to follow Him away from the sin.

That is comforting and challenging all at the same time. It means that we are the one responsible for our actions, but it also means that if we choose to follow God, we will be able to overcome. But how do we prepare to overcome in any and every situation?

Humility - You must understand that you are human and you can and will fall to temptation because that is what your sinful nature desires.

Discipline - You must connect with God and allow him to change your nature by practicing the spiritual disciplines. Such disciplines as prayer, meditation, fasting, giving, serving, and others are very real ways to allow God to meet you where you are and change you. The change we are talking about is a change so that you can overcome temptation!

Quiet time - As a way to engage God through some of these disciplines, you should try to find a time every day where you can be quiet and still before God. During this time you might pray, you might study His Word, you might meditate, or simply sit in silence experiencing His presence.

Love - As we will see in the coming weeks, it is really all about love. If you truly love others, it will be difficult for you to sin because you will recognize the negative effects it will have on other people. Even those sins you feel do not affect others...they are probably the ones that have the worst effect on people. All things in love!

There are other things you can do, but this is a great start to become battle tested for the fight against temptation. If you prepare for the battle, you will be much more likely to overcome the temptation.

So...Are you ready?

- Gary Luedecke