falling

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

 

I have been writing these little “daily bread” things since 2011, and publishing my blog since 2016, but it never ceases to amaze me that I can learn something new with each verse I read. 

The first time I read today’s verse, my initial thought was that it was a warning not to think too much of oneself.

We’ve all met those people who are stuck on themselves, hopefully we aren’t one of them.

It is very helpful to have context (the verses before and after this one) and other translations.
This verse isn’t about how one feels about him or herself at all. 

The Message translation of this verse reads These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

This also led me to believe that the verse was about how one feels as an individual.

The New Life Version, however, reads a bit differently: So watch yourself! The person who thinks he can stand against sin had better watch that he does not fall into sin.

Oh – wait.

Now is where I pull in context.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about the dangers of worshipping false gods and he gives Old Testament examples on what happened to the folks that thought they were above reproach.

We aren’t perfect, we never will be perfect.
There is nothing in this world that can absolutely protect us from falling. 
Falling into sin, falling into temptation, falling away from God. 
We all fall, but how far we fall is up to us. 
This verse is a reminder that we need to lean on God, probably more now than ever.
There is nothing in this world that can protect us, but God, God can provide us a way to escape.

Take heed, watch what you are doing, and always do the right thing.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible