Don’t Tempt Christ

Daily Devotional for May 11^th

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 1 Corinthians 10:9

In our spiritual journey as a Christian, we may not always be aware of the effects some of our actions have on our lives, but effect us they do. We also may not realize the effects our actions have on the Lord.  Honestly, our actions are as seeds that are planted in the soil.  The scary thing is those seeds will come up, and we will reap what we have sown.

Paul warns the Corinthians here that we have Israel for an example as to how we respond to God and His dealings with us. As Israel spake against God and Moses concerning the hardships they were going through, we have the occasion to do the same.  Even though we may not find areas of our journey comfortable, we must not speak against God.  We must not tempt Christ.  Paul warns us Israel tempted Christ when they were destroyed of the serpents in the wilderness in Numbers 21.

In our journey we may not always like where God is leading, but the journey is not the destination.  God is faithful to bring us to a place of blessing!  Others are not satisfied with the Lord’s provision.  They do not like the daily blessing God has chosen to give them.  Therefore, they start looking back toward Egypt; i.e., their old life.  This is a dangerous place to be.

Have you considered how choosing one day to forsake the Lord and returning to living your life as before is tempting Christ? Have you ever thought that speaking against God’s method of deliverance or direction He’s taking you is considered tempting Him?  God has so many things to give you, but He wants you to be His and His alone.  The sad thing is many people believe they can walk in and out of relationship with God and not be affected by it.

How do we keep from tempting Christ? We accomplish this by holding firmly to His hand; clinging to Him in our struggles and not allowing the devil to draw us away from keeping Jesus number one in our lives.  We must trust God’s plan for us will result in our good.  God will supply all of our needs, but we must realize we will go through some hard times in order to reach the land God has promised us.  David said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil for thou art with me.”