“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” That is Paul’s exhortation as he reflects on Israel’s turbulent history. We are often too ready to distance ourselves from the rebellion and idolatry we read about in the Old Testament narratives. But Paul asks us to use these stories as constant reminders of a universal human tendency. Trusting in God and walking with God is so counter-intuitive to us that we are always inclined to go astray. It is often the case that we will be going astray whilst not allowing ourselves to acknowledge this. This kind of self-deception is more dangerous than any external trial or temptation we might face. So, we must always be wary of ourselves. It is only by God’s grace that we remain on the path of life. For this reason, we must always be bringing ourselves before God and making ourselves accountable to him. We should always be questioning our motives in the things we do: “What is my heart set on? What is taking hold of my desires? What am I giving priority to?” In this way we can break down the idols of our hearts before they take control of us. It is the things you won’t see about yourself that pose the most danger to you. Idols grow in the heart like weeds in a garden and without regular weeding the weeds will take over and kill off everything else.
Take some time to think and pray through the questions I have suggested.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-22
