Sunday, June 18, 2017

Instruction in Righteousness: From I Corinthians 10


As long as the present earth remains and we are left on this earth, there will be temptations for the flesh to go in the way of the flesh.  But we have the power through God to resist going in the way of our flesh and to go in the way of the Spirit.

Righteousness will never reign on this present earth.  If our goal is to make the people of this world better, we should consider what the Bible says about this matter, especially concerning what the Bible has to say about the last days ... for the Bible is instruction for us in doctrine, in correction, in reproof and in righteousness.

II Timothy 3:1-5    This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

They will have "a form of godliness".  They will likely attend church and say "Jesus is Lord."

But they will not allow certain scriptures to rule over themselves, thus they deny the power of God through the scriptures.  (antichrist)

13-17    But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Our job here is to believe God and take care of our own lives, choosing to go in the way of God by the Holy Scripture and the Spirit of God as we live on this present earth.



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I Corinthians 10:1-15    Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Neither murmur (complain) ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition (warning), upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.





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Don't tempt Christ with arrogance and foolishness.

I know a woman who would leave her purse in the front seat of her unlocked car and say, "God will protect it."  and she would go into a house to visit.

One day she returned to her car and her purse was gone.

God gave them manna in the wilderness because they had no other means for food.  As soon as they came out of the wilderness and had food, there was no more manna.

The devil tempted Jesus: 

Mt. 4:5-7    Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.


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I Peter 5:6-9    Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon HIM; for HE careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.



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We resist the devil by humbling ourselves in prayer to God, hearing from God and standing fast that which God brings to our mind by HIS Spirit.

You cannot resist the devil in your own wisdom and strength.  You must hear from God and stand on that which God brings to you by HIS Spirit.

Therefore the first step in humbling yourself is prayer, knowing that you don't know of yourself what to do.


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I Corinthians 10:16-22   The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than HE?


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I Corinthians 10:23-33    All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

(Black-eyed-peas served on New Year's Day for luck might be one example of that offered to idol.  I am very careful to consider where my "luck" comes from and to express that to those around me when they are going another direction, telling them I want all my "luck" to come from God and if I have anything at all I want it to be because it was given me by God.)

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.


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