ESOCS Devotional 24 September 2026 – Take Heed Lest You Fall
MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 CORINTHIANS 10:12 KJV).
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 10: 1 – 18
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
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“Going to Church” does not make you a Christian. This is a frequently quoted quip, but it remains true. Many people assume or presume they are Christians simply because of some external conformity to form and appearance. But the Bible says that a Christian is someone who is born again as a new creation, someone who is like the Father. In other words, he will practice righteousness, just as his father is righteous. Whilst he may not be said to arrive at sinless perfection, sincere progression (to holiness) is his pattern of life. So this is a passage that warns church-goers not to assume or presume. We must not live in ongoing sin. We must all take heed lest we fall.
In our text today, Paul reminds us how God led the nation of Israel via a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. They were immersed into Moses, were identified together with Moses (I Cor. 10:2). Not only that, “They enjoy spiritual food.” (1 Cor. 10:3), “And they all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”([1 Cor. 10:4). They all looked like God’s people, but the reality is that they were people filled with unbelief and sin. And God was displeased, indeed angry with them, and their bodies or their carcasses were overthrown in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:5).
Paul wrote this text to the Corinthians saying “These things took place as examples for us.” (1 Cor. 10:6) This is not just unique in the times of Moses, it is relevant for all of us who are reading this right now, as he says to the Corinthians. These people, during Moses’ time serve as an example for us, “That we might not desire evil as they did.” (1 Cor. 10:6) Why? Because the continuous desiring and the continuous committing of evil, springs from a heart of unbelief. And if we continue in our lives to desire evil and to commit evil, then we only prove ourselves, to be people who go to church services who may be externally identified as part of the church, but who really do not believe, and who really are not part of the Kingdom of God, and one day, God will judge us.
We are advised to take heed and not tow the path of the Israelites (1 Cor. 10: 7 – 12) so that we will not fall away or be overthrown like the Israelites. Now, it’s not easy to fight sin. So Paul says, “For those of you who think it’s difficult and you’re discouraged, let me remind, you.” “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to men …” (1 Cor. 10:13). Many of God’s people have faced many temptations, but, “… God is faithful, and He will not allow you, not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with a temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
It is God’s will that you should have a rock solid assurance of salvation, but that rock solid assurance of salvation does not come from thinking that just because you are baptized, or come to church, you are saved. That strong assurance comes as you grow in righteousness. Now, we stand in grace, we are not saved by our righteousness. We are saved by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are saved not by works, but by faith. But it is a faith that works, it is a grace that produces works. So if you do not have these things, perhaps this is a day for you to be still, for you to humble yourself, to repent and to come to Jesus Christ. Don’t assume.
Challenges:
- What are the things that can cause us to fall away from Christ?
- Are you taking heed?
Prayer:
Lord, grant each of us the true and pure faith that endures to the end in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 18: 15 – 19; Matthew 10: 1 – 15; 1 Kings 6:13 – 38
ESOCS Devotional 24 September 2026
