To get a good understanding of the portion, let us read 1 Corinthians 10:6-12, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 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. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Briefly going through the history of the Israelites (verses 1-6), the Apostle Paul shows how that the behaviors and consequences written about Israel were given to us for examples of how we should live today.  We see in our portion that the Israelites had lusted after evil things, they were idolators, fornicators, tempters of God, and murmurers.  In each case mentioned, we also see the results of their sinful behavior.  For each sinful act of the people, there was chastening from the Lord. 

In verse 11, Paul repeats what he says in verse 6, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples.”  Then he adds, “and they are written for our admonition.”  An admonition is a warning, so the Lord is using the example of the Israelites to warn us against self-confidence or independence.  We may get the attitude that we would never do the same things those people did.  We would never lust, have idols, commit fornication, tempt God, or murmur!  We would NEVER do that! 

However, let us not be so self-confident or independent.  As we read in verse 12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”  Let the one who thinks he would NEVER commit such sins be careful.  He may just fall into those very sins.  When we stand in our own strength rather than in the Lord’s strength, it is only a matter of time before we fall into sin.  The Apostle Peter warns us about the possibility of being led astray by sinners in 2 Peter 3:17, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”  To avoid falling, we are exhorted to stand fast (stand firm, stand your ground) as in:

• “STAND FAST in the faith.” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
• “STAND FAST therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Galatians 5:1).
• “STAND FAST in one spirit.” (Philippians 1:27).
• “STAND FAST in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:1).

We find another valuable exhortation in the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”  When we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His ways, we will STAND FAST in Him.  We will be less likely to fall and dishonor the Lord with wicked behavior. 

Paul continues to exhort and encourage us in his words in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “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.”  The Lord does not necessarily remove our trials but will equip us to endure and succeed in our trials, so that we may not fall into sin.  (483.6)