“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Cor. 10:6-11 ESV)

For our instruction

The above passage points out that examples in the Bible were written down for our instruction, “that we wouldn’t desire evil as they did.” It used to be that Bible stories were a part of our children’s general education. They developed a sense of right and wrong as a result. Sadly, that is no longer the case in our public schools. Now, without these powerful Bible examples being taught, situation ethics has become normal thought and children lack a moral compass.

For training in righteousness

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Cor. 3:16-17 ESV)

For wisdom for the future

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Prov. 19:20 ESV)

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV)

Courage: firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty; mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

Examples of courage

There are many great examples in the Bible concerning those having courage. To name just three of them: The Hebrew children who stood up to the king, rather than bowing down to an idol, choosing instead to be thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel:3:1-30). Young David, facing the giant Goliath with only a slingshot and five small stones (2 Sam. 17:1-58). Queen Esther, approaching the king about the attack against her people, the Jews, even though doing so meant she was facing possible death (Book of Esther).

Be strong and courageous in the face of adversity, knowing God goes with you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deut. 31:6-8 NIV)

A command to be courageous

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9 ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.) (Ephesians 6:10)

God provides power, love and self control

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)

“For each will have to bear his own load.” (Gal. 6:5 ESV)

Responsibility: the quality or state of being responsible: such as moral, legal, or mental accountability; dependability, reliability, solidness, sureness, trustability, trustworthiness

To be irresponsible is to deny your faith

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8 ESV)

To be responsible is to be mature in your ways

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” (1 Cor. 13:11 ESV)

To be responsible is to use your gifts

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:6-8 ESV)

To be responsible is to do what you know is right

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17 ESV)

 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

God’s wisdom defined

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Ask God for it

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

Act wisely by hearing and doing God’s Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 ESV)

Therefore…

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Col. 4:5 ESV)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13 ESV)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

God’s wisdom defined

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Ask God for it

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

Act wisely by hearing and doing God’s Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 ESV)

Therefore…

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Col. 4:5 ESV)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13 ESV)

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Prov. 27:9 ESV)

Friends lift one another

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccles. 4:9-12 ESV)

Friends sharpen one another

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 37:17 ESV)

Friends love one another

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17 ESV)

Friends encourage one another and build each other up

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11 ESV)

Friends stir up one another to love and good works

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV)

Friends encourage one another’s faith

“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Rom. 1:12 ESV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV)

Do not let your hearts be troubled

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

God comforts with compassion

“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” (Isa. 49:13 NIV)

God’s blesses those who mourn

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4 NIV)

God comforts with His unfailing love

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” (Psalm 119:76 NIV)

Therefore…

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zeph. 3:17 ESV)

From the above passage, we learn seven important things about God and His relationship with you

• He is your God: Another verse says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV)
• He is in your midst: Another verse says He will never leave or forsake you (Heb. 13:5).  
• He is mighty: Another verse says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isa. 40:28-29 ESV)
• He will save: Another verse says, “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 ESV)
• He will rejoice over you with gladness: Another verse says, “He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 105:43 NIV)
• He will quiet you with is love: Another verse says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16 ESV)
• He will exalt over you with loud singing: Another verse says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 49:3 ESV)

“But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” (Job 32:8 ESV)

To understand: to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend, apprehend, picture, visualize, to “get” it.

The Holy Spirit will give you revelation and understanding concerning things to come

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)

Ask God for wisdom and understanding

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NASB)

He will teach you what you ought to say

“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:12 ESV)