Step 10: Lessons from Israel: 1 Corinthians 10
STEP 10: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12
I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all them walked through the sea on dry ground. 1 Corinthians 10:1 NLT
For the ancient Israelites, it seems that taking a personal inventory was a far easier process than it might be for us today. After all, God, in the form of a cloud, literally guided them along aiding them in their search and feeding them along the way, but still they sinned.
Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. These things happen as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:5-6 NLT
Being human in a sin filled world isn’t easy, but for those of us in the Program, our sin can have deadly consequence. To fulfill our promise to Christ, we must continue to take our inventory and when wrong, promptly admit it, and God faithfully promises to help us.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be fore than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Key Verse for Step 10
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NLT
Examine your heart
- Taking a personal inventory is a continuous process. When do you routinely fit this in your schedule?
- Promptly admitting our wrong requires first realizing it. What process do you go through for your personal inventory?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know You are walking with me to help and to guide me, but sometimes I fail to see my sin. Please help me to examine my thoughts, feelings, and actions so that I can immediately admit my wrongs. I want to be more like You and it is only through a continued personal inventory that I can see where I have failed You and where I am making improvements. Please continue to light my way. In Jesus’ name we pray—Amen.