An
unusual list called The 100 Least Powerful People in the World appeared
in the online publication 24/7 Wall St. Among those selected were
corporate executives, sports figures, politicians, and celebrities who shared
one common characteristic—they used to be powerful. Some were victims of
circumstances, others made poor business decisions, while others lost their
influence because of moral failure.
In 1
Corinthians 10, Paul draws a somber lesson from Old Testament history. The
people Moses led from slavery in Egypt toward freedom in the Promised Land kept
turning their backs on God who had delivered them (vv.1-5). Idolatry,
immorality, and grumbling were among the things that brought them down
(vv.6-10). Paul points to their collapse as an example to us, and sounds this
warning: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (v.12).
Every
follower of Jesus can stand firm on God’s promise: “He will see to it that
every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to
bear it” (v.13 Phillips). All of us have power to influence others in their
faith. How tragic to squander it by yielding to a temptation that God has
empowered us to resist.
The best
way to escape temptation is to run to God. (RBC)
