Take a Stand - Week 3: Tuesday

1 Corinthians 10:12

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Commentary

St. John Chrysostom | Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 23.5
Once again, Paul casts down the pride of those who think they know it all. For if the Israelites, who had such great privileges, suffered these things, and if some were punished merely because they were heard to complain, how much more shall we suffer if we are not careful. Anyone who relies on himself will soon fall. For the way in which we stand in this world is not secure and will not be until we are delivered out of the waves of this present life into the peaceful haven of eternal rest. Therefore, do not be proud of your standing, but pay attention so that you will not stumble. If Paul was afraid that it might happen to him, how much more ought we to be afraid also.

Questions

• How many times did I tell myself that I will not fall into this or that sin anymore? How often did I depend on my own efforts? Where has this taken me in my spiritual life?

• The greatest of saints fall when they forget to depend on God, but their stories never end there. God's saints always prevail through him. The saints' stories are there to remind me of how I ought to depend on God. Where in my life can I depend on God more? Is it only in material and intellectual matters?