Learning from Other's Bad Example
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-3
“Everybody has value; even if only to serve as a bad example,” said Attila the Hun, ironically so.
Paul might have partially agreed with that sentiment. In 1 Corinthians chapter ten, he goes into a lengthy recalling of the multiple sins, failures, and follies of the wilderness generation of Israelites, who, like Barney Fife, every time they were given a bullet shot themselves in the foot.
Paul lists their most egregious failures: lust, idolatry, sexual immorality, grumbling, and putting God to the test. All of these could have fallen under the larger category of unbelief. They did all of this while regularly witnessing and experiencing the blessings and miracles of the Lord. (The Red Sea crossing, manna from heaven, abundance of quail, water from the Rock, and shoes that never wore out to name a few things).
He resurrects their sorry tale from the dustbin of Israelite history, not so we can look down on them, but so that he can point to them and say, “Don’t be like that.”
It is either disappointing or delighting when we see other people fall into sin. It disappoints us when we like or respect them. It delights us when we harbor a secret desire to see them fall, which is a sin in itself. Paul isn’t trying to make us feel disappointed or delighted. He is trying to show us a better way to walk through this life by pointing out what a miserable path and outcome we will get if we practice lust, idolatry, sexual immorality, grumbling, testing God, and living in unbelief.
When you see someone fall and suffer the consequences of sin, pray for them and learn from them. Let their failure serve to remind you that you too can end up where they are at. Seek grace to walk a better path.
