There are stories in the Old Testament which show how men and women really blew it — how they strayed and sinned in big ways! Those stories are stark in their truthfulness about individual and corporate failings, even of God’s own people.

You might say that the Bible does not hesitate to see “dirty laundry” aired!

In fact, in the New Testament (1st Cor. 10), those dirty-laundry stories of God’s people falling into sin, are pointed out as negative examples — “warnings for us” to learn from their mistakes and sins. The pithy conclusion from St. Paul (10:12) is well worth remembering today. The modern NIV translation of the Greek says “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” In the old King James English the key phrase is actually quite memorable: “Take heed lest ye fall.”

Let me point out that we are charged with a responsibility here, to learn from the mistakes of others. When we see “dirty laundry” aired, we do well to avoid ending up the same way!

I’m very glad that God is good, and not only gives us this warning (via St. Paul), but also gives us one of the most precious promises of the Bible in the very next verse (10:13) — “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Perhaps you, my friend, should re-read these three verses (1st Cor. 10:11, 12, 13) and learn the lesson of the dirty laundry too.

pastor dave